CRETE | At 104, Irma Blount is likely the oldest resident ever of this south suburb, and that led village President Michael Einhorn to feel the need to be on hand for her birthday celebration.
Blount is a resident of the St. James Manor & Villas, and officials at the senior center put together a party on Saturday to mark the anniversary of her birth on March 16, 1909 in Mobile, Ala.
Despite her birth in the deep south, she has lived the bulk of her life in the Chicago area – moving here with her family when she was 7 and living in various locations on the city’s South Side.
Blount worked much of her life as a domestic worker, while also giving birth to and raising six children, several of whom now live in the south suburbs including communities such as Glenwood, Lynwood and South Holland.
Which is why when it became necessary for her to finally be placed in special care at age 103, she moved last year to the St. James’ center.
Einhorn said that while there have been a couple of Crete residents throughout the years who made it to 100, he’s not aware of any who made it to 104. “She’s the oldest Crete resident that I’m aware of,” the village president said, after presenting her with a proclamation by the Village Board that declared Saturday to be Irma Blount Day in Crete.
He said he was pleased to honor a woman who went through life with mottos such as, “Never go to bed angry,” and “Trust in God.”
For her part, Blount seemed to enjoy the party, which included some blues music by the act of Ken & Mark – to which Blount could be seen sitting in her wheelchair, moving her fingers about almost like she was playing a piano keyboard along with the music. Blount also was presented with a trio of birthday cakes shaped like the numerals 1, 0 and 4.
Blount also seemed to enjoy the company of her 13 grandchildren, and approximately 15 great-grandchildren who came to the St. James center for the party. “This is a wonderful way to spend a birthday,” she said.
And as for the prospects of Blount having a similar celebration come 2014?
“I don’t know now, but I feel good enough to go another year,” she said.
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