Marian Ritch White Celebrates 100th Birthday _ Local News _ midcoastvillager.com
Marian Ritch White Celebrates 100th Birthday
ROCKLAND — Marian Ritch White celebrated her 100th birthday with family on Friday, May 1 at Bartlett Woods Retirement Community.
Marian enjoyed the milestone with family during a luncheon at Bartlett Woods, her cherished home for 11 years.
Born May 1, 1926 in Hartford, Conn., Marian has lived in the Midcoast, most notably Camden, Rockport and Rockland, since 1961.
The luncheon included appetizers, salad, main meal and cake and ice cream. There was a champagne toast to Marian for her distinquished life. The Bartlett Woods’ sunroom was filled with purple balloons, streamers and congratulatory banners and time piece clock, while her walker was adorned with two tiaras and a sash that read: “100 and fabulous.”
The hallway from Marian’s apartment to Bartlett Woods’ dining area were lined with 100 balloons and informational placards that represented each decade from the 1920s through 2020s.
In her lifetime, Marian has lived through the Great Depression, World War II, evolution of transportation, rise of mass and social media, far-reaching space travel, groundbreaking societal inventions, a pandemic and the explosion of technology.
Among Marian’s family members who attended her luncheon were her three adult childrlen, Stephen White of Stonington, Conn., Jonathan White of Rockport, and Sarah Waltz of South Thomaston. Marian’s son, Bruce, of Bend, Ore., and her husband, Dr. Henry White for nearly 70 years, had passed away previously.
Other family members at the celebratory luncheon were grandson Brandon, granddaughter-in-law Hannah and great granddaughter Audrey Waltz (age 7) of Turner; grandson Nathan White and his partner Nina Torres of Wilton, Conn.; grandson Parker White of Denver, Colo.; daughter-in-law Maggie White of Stonington, Conn.; and son-in-law Ken Waltz of South Thomaston.
Marian also enjoyed a breakfast in her honor with other Bartlett Woods residents and staff the morning of her special day. Many residents and staff wore purple, Marian’s favorite color.
Marian was the first woman to serve on the Camden School Board (education and music/arts were among the most important aspects of her life, she said) and has been involved with many area organizations and clubs over the years, including the Congregational Church in Camden, Camden Yacht Club and Megunticook Tennis and Golf Club.
Sailing, tennis and classical/choral music have been among her passions during her 100 years of life.
