PRESS RELEASE: January 9, 2008 For Immediate Release
MEDIA CONTACT:
Beverly Crowl, Public Relations Specialist
302-547-1816 bcrowl@delawarehospice.org
DELAWARE HOSPICE PATIENT CELEBRATES 110TH BIRTHDAY
Wally Baker celebrated her 110th birthday today with style, grace and humor. Family members, friends, Delaware Hospice staff, city and state officials, and members of the media gathered for a birthday party to recognize her achievement.
On this day, January 9th, 2008, Wally became a Supercentenarian—an individual 110 years and older. She is the only Supercentenarian in the state of Delaware and ranks close to the 80th oldest living individual in the world.
Asked her secret to longevity, Wally answered, “Be positive,” and “Don’t drink or smoke.”
Wally Mary Stiefel was born on January 9, 1898, in Brandywine Hundred on what is now the 7th Tee of the Brandywine Country Club on Shipley Road and attended Point Breeze Country School.
She has survived three husbands and presently has one son, seven grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, and seven great, great grandchildren.
Wally’s family has a remarkable tradition of longevity. Her sister Emma lived until 102 years old; her sister Anna, 105 years old; and her brother John lived to be 99 years old.
Wally has led an active life. She is a founding member of the Grace Episcopal Church on Route 202 in Wilmington, and a lifetime member of “Eastern Star” Lodge, still in operation today. During World War II, Wally turned a restaurant she owned into a shop to make bandages for Red Cross. She and her second husband owned and operated two gas stations, Texaco and Sunoco, at Silverside and Foulk Roads. They also owned Mac’s Service Station at Pennsylvania and Union Streets. Wally received an accommodation from “AAA” when she reached fifty years of driving. Her hobbies and interests have included square dancing, music, gardening, and watching Lawrence Welk. She lived alone until she was 100 years old, cutting her own grass “a little bit at a time.”
Delaware Hospice Nurse, JoAnne Czachorowski enjoys Wally’s good spirits. “When I asked her how she was feeling today, she answered ‘with her hands.’ She has a great sense of humor and all of us at Delaware Hospice have enjoyed caring for her for the past year and a half.”
About Delaware Hospice
Since 1982, Delaware Hospice has provided exceptional care and support to 30,000 patients and their families. Its mission is to help each patient, each day, live the fullest, most comfortable life possible. Delaware Hospice is the largest and only licensed, nonprofit, community-based hospice serving New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties in Delaware and southern Chester and Delaware counties in Pennsylvania. For more information about Delaware Hospice’s programs and services, upcoming events, or employment opportunities, call 800-838-9800 or visit our website.
Photo One Caption: Delaware Hospice representatives gather to congratulate Wally Baker for her 110th birthday. Standing left to right: Delaware Hospice (DH) Board Member, Gene Donnelly, DH Chaplain Mindy Dowsett, DH Team Leader Mary Jane Schwab, DH Team Leader Nora Satalino, DH Certified Nursing Assistant Belinda Winston, DH Social Worker Drew Biehl, Wally’s son Ed Broderdrop, Jr., DH Healthcare Liaison Laurie Seidle, DH Team Leader Karen Ward, DH Community Education Coordinator Jill Mackay-Bush, and Wally’s granddaughter Margie Broderdrop. In front left to right: Delaware Hospice Nurse JoAnne Czachorowski, DH Social Worker Linda Tulloch and Supercentenarian Wally Baker.
Delaware
Hospice is accredited by JCAHO.
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