ROCKPORT — Lois “Erwin” Williams has pretty much seen it all.
Living 100 years will do that for a person.
Williams reached the centenary milestone Thursday when she celebrated her 100th birthday at her home at Rockport’s Oceanside Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
“I woke up this morning and said ‘I made it!,’” Williams said.
Staff and caregivers at the facility celebrated along with Williams, complete with a cake, candles and a rendition of “Happy Birthday.”
The Oceanside center is familiar to Williams, as she worked as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) at the facility when it was known as the DenMar Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Pamela Howard, executive director of Oceanside, said in addition to Williams celebrating her 100th birthday, Thursday’s observance was also held to commemorate other residents’ birthdays.
“But this one is a special one,” Howard said.
Williams, who has lived at Oceanside since March 2005, was described by Howard as being well-liked by staff and residents at the facility.
“She’s pleasant and she loves to watch TV with some of the residents who she has made friends with here,” Howard said.
Martha Rumble, Oceanside’s social services director, echoed Howard. She said Williams is known for her chats with friends at Oceanside.
“She’s very pleasant,” Rumble said. “She has family and friends who stop by and visit. She’s very involved in her church community (Calvary Chapel Baptist Church).”
Rumble said Williams was born in Vermont, moved to the Quincy area with her mother and sister, and then attended Eastern Nazareth College where she was a member of the Class of 1948.
She moved to Gloucester as a young adult — eventually attending and graduating in 1951 from the now defunct Addison Gilbert Hospital School of Nursing. Williams would met her future husband, Leslie, who owned the diner Station Lunch, which was located near the hospital. The couple was married 63 years before Leslie’s death at age 95 in 2015.
“The two fell in love and married,” Rumble said. “Together, they had one daughter.”
Williams also became a foster mother to three young brothers who she later adopted.
“Caring for children was something that brought her great joy and fulfillment,” Rumble said. “She had a natural gift for caring for others and always found purpose in helping those around her.”
Recently, Williams found a new friend in Katherine Prum, who visits Williams about twice each week. Prum is a transition coach and “doula,” or a non-medical professional who provides guidance for others.
“Lois has an indomitable spirit,” Prum said. “She doesn’t miss a trick. She really has a great sense of joy, even at her age.”
Williams said being a nurse and mother for most of her life has been something she is most proud of. Her story includes growing up in Vermont without many material things.
“I never had the things like other people had,” she said. “We were all poor.”
Rockport’s Oceanside Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is a 76-bed nursing facility located at 44 South St. in Rockport. The facility, which offers short-term rehabilitation including physical, occupational and speech therapy seven days a week, has served the public for more than 50 years.
Stephen Hagan may be contacted at 978-675-2708, or shagan@gloucestertimes.com.