Quarry Senior Living resident turns 100

BENNINGTON — The Quarry Senior Living resident Neldagene “Nelda” Helen (Ayers) Tharp celebrated her 100th birthday Dec. 10. “We decorated around Nelda’s door with big bunches of balloons and a big banner that her son Topper ordered her,” said Kyla Gower, independent living director. A cake from Tharp’s son was delivered at lunch, including many bouquets, presents, candy and cards. “We sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to her at her door with a few of her closest friends here at the Quarry, and watched her open a video tribute card that her whole family had put together for her with video messages from them,” Gower said. The facility’s dining manager and kitchen crew also sang “Happy Birthday” and offered a special steak dinner with sparkling ciders. Tharp was born in Long Beach, Calif., and moved to Central Point, Ore., with her family in third grade. She married John W. Tharp on Aug. 6, 1939; the marriage lasted 72 years. She retired after 28 years with J.C. Penney in the men’s tailor shop as its manager. She has five children, five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.