NEWS

Peg' s 95th birthday surprise

By JOHN HOWELL
Posted 10/29/20

By JOHN HOWELL Peg Dolan couldn't imagine what was happening when she spotted "e;a guy"e; on her front lawn with what appeared to be part of a sign. Her housekeeper and companion for several days out of the week, Carol Radja, assured her it was nothing to

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in
NEWS

Peg' s 95th birthday surprise

Posted

Peg Dolan couldn’t imagine what was happening when she spotted “a guy” on her front lawn with what appeared to be part of a sign.

Her housekeeper and companion for several days out of the week, Carol Radja, assured her it was nothing to be concerned about. Peg thought nothing more of it.

But Carol knew exactly what was happening. After all, she had been scheming for weeks and here it was coming together. She knew Peg kept a record of all her acquaintances’ phone numbers and addresses. Before her retirement, Peg served as the legal secretary for the firm of Haronian, Paquin, Bramley, and Harrington. She became involved in Warwick politics, and after working on the mayoral campaign of Francis X. Flaherty, stayed active in the Democratic Party. And then there were the friends from St. Peter’s Church where she is a parishioner, and friends from the Warwick Housing Authority where she served on the board of directors, and friends from Bridgemark where she continues to serve on the board. Peg has many friends.

That kept Carol busy. Surreptitiously, using her cell phone, Carol took photos of the address book. Then she started spreading the word that Peg would celebrate her 95th birthday on Sunday, Oct. 25. Carol instantly found accomplices in Bill and Jan VaHaaren, who have been friends with Peg for years.

Plans for a drive-by birthday salute took root and started to grow and grow and grow.

Because of the pandemic, Peg had ruled out a party and dismissed thoughts of any sort of gathering. That was until her birthday morning and Carol came over to help her get dressed. Peg questioned what was all the fuss and Carol told her that her nephew and niece wanted to wish her happy birthday, but because of safety concerns thought it best not to come in. They would park in front of her house in Governor Francis Farms and wish her congratulations from there. Carol suggested setting up a chair outside.

“It won’t be that long,” Carol told her.

That made sense to Peg – she’s always sensible. But then it really didn’t all add up when Peg got a look at the chair and the yard. Another one of Peg’s admirers, Anne Tully, turned the chair into a throne and a “Happy Birthday, Peg” sign filled the front yard.

Peg knew something more than a drive by from family was in the works, especially when her friend for many years, Mary Whalen, loaned her the crown she had worn for her 95th birthday earlier this year.

Meanwhile, those planning to join the parade gathered at the St. Peter’s Church parking lot on Fair Street. Carol came prepared with 40 balloons that added color to the signs that friends taped to their cars and held out of their windows. Jane and Bill helped lead off the parade starting at 3 p.m.

By the time it arrived on Metcalf Street, Peg was seated and ready – waving and calling her thanks to her friends.

Peg was still reveling in the spontaneity of the occasion Tuesday.

Asked about the secret to the longevity of life, without hesitation she said, “attitude.”

Attitude?

“It’s the positive attitude,” she said.

Carol thinks there’s more to it. She said, “she never gets angry,” adding, “She’s impressed not depressed.”

Peg, birthday

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here