Schervier Pavilion resident Edna Talleur celebrates 105th birthday

Warwick n It’s hard to imagine that Schervier Pavilion resident Edna Talleur just celebrated her 105th birthday. On Friday, April 27, while demonstrating her nimble fingers and tenacity during a sewing activity, the staff surprised her with a birthday cake. She smiled broadly and immediately asked for a knife to cut the cake and share it with her friends. The actual date of her birthday is April 30, 1902. Talleur had been a resident of nearby Mount Alverno Center Adult Home and Assisted Living Program before moving to Schervier Pavilion, a skilled nursing facility at the Bon Secours Warwick Health Care Campus. Last year, a news article, which was never challenged, suggested that she might be the oldest woman in Warwick. In 1902, when Talleur came into this world, the president of the United States was Theodore Roosevelt. The Wright Brothers would not even make their historic powered flight until the following year. Automobiles were a novelty and most people traveled by horse and carriage. All that followed included movies, radio, television, jet flight, microwaves, computers, cellular phones and what-have-you. In her lifetime, Talleur has witnessed boom and depression, war and peace and a dramatic change in the way average people live. Edna Talleur lived most of her life in Warwick but she was born in Dutchess County. The historic family name, Dyckman, places her ancestors among the earliest Dutch settlers. She describes herself as a “farmer” and fondly recalls those days when she grew up on her parent’s farm with her two sisters and three brothers. She admits that she cannot credit any particular secret formula for her longevity. “We’re thrilled that we could host a 105th birthday party for Edna,” said Kari Call, a certified therapy recreation specialist who serves as director of recreation at Schervier Pavilion. “She is a pleasure to be with and we are happy that she can participate in our activities.”