Elise M. (Doucette) Comeau turned 100 years old on March 21.
She celebrated with a surprise party given by her daughters, Doris Sulesky and Shirley Hardy, in the activities room of the Hannah Duston Healthcare Center in Haverhill whwere she lives. Residents and many members of Comeau's family joined the celebration.
In attendance were her seven grandchildren, Gerard Hardy, Albert Hardy, Sharon Jackson Bailey, Lisa Allan, Patricia Hanides, Brenda Boisselle and Roger Sulesky; her 21 great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.
She was born in New Edinburgh, Nova Scotia, in 1909 and came to the United States in 1927 at the age of 18. She resided in Belmont. She married Frank J. Comeau on Sept. 5, 1931, to whom she was married for 67 years before his passing. Mrs. Comeau worked in the Haverhill school system as a head cook at Tilton School from 1950 to 1974.
At her birthday celebration, Jean Diamontopoulos, activities director at the nursing facility, presented Comeau with a 100-bead necklace with hearts representing each year of her life, separated by a pearl for each year of blessings. The necklace is now proudly displayed on her bulletin board.
Among other gifts presented to Comeau from her family, she received a 100-year citation from Gov. Deval Patrick in the mail. Comeau is an active participant in the facility's activities program, and particularly enjoys playing bingo five times a week, Diamontopoulos said.
"She commented on having no regrets in her life and that she has enjoyed it 'so far,' " Diamontopoulos said.
