HAPPY HUNDRED
Cumberland’s Lucille Benjamin celebrates her 100th birthday
CUMBERLAND – If you happen to see Lucille Benjamin out on the road in her white Volvo heading towards the Cumberland Senior Center for Friday night bingo, make sure to wave and wish her a happy 100th birthday.
Benji, as she’s known to her family and friends, celebrated that milestone Thursday at the Chimney Hill Apartments on Mendon Road where more than 100 people, including Cumberland Mayor Jeffrey Mutter, stopped by to help the centenarian celebrate.
So, what is it like to reach a century
“It feels good,” says Benjamin, who was wearing a tiara and black sash that said “100 & Fabulous.”
“I work all the time and I stay busy. You have to use your brains and move your body every day,” she says.
Mutter presented Benjamin with a citation from the town and a bouquet of flowers and members of the Cumberland Senior Center Glee Club were on hand to sing birthday songs.
“She’s pretty amazing,” said her grandson, Paul. “She still drives her Volvo every day. I’m hoping her longevity is in the family genes.”
Benjamin lives independently at Chimney Hill where she spends a lot of time doing one of her favorite things – crocheting afghans for young cancer patients at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. She’s been doing it for more than 20 years – one or two a month – and estimates she’s made hundreds of blankets for the kids.
She also teaches a crocheting class at the apartment complex.
“I still do all of the cooking myself,” says Benjamin, who’s favorite dish is homemade baked beans.
She also enjoys socializing with her friends at Chimney Hill where they gather every day at 4 for conversation and a glass of wine. And when she feels like getting out of the house, she drives to the Cumberland Senior Center a few times a week to play Hi Lo Jack and Bingo (she recently won $50 at a Bingo game).
She’s been a member of the Cumberland Senior Center for 20 years.
“I have met a lot of nice friends there,” she says.
Born Oct. 17, 1919, in Woonsocket, the daughter of Albert and Alice Lafrenay, Benjamin’s life had a challenging beginning. Her mother died when she was seven and her eight children were sent to live with different relatives. Lucille ended up with her grandmother who took her out of school at age 16 and sent her to live with a rich family member as a mother’s helper to two young girls, ages 10 and 12.
“Those girls became like my sisters,’ she said. “The younger one went to college in Sweden and never returned to the United States, but I still correspond with the other girl.”
Benjamin worked there for four years before her 1941 marriage to her husband, George Benjamin, who was a widower with a son named Ronald. The couple had three daughters together, Lorraine, Jean and Denise.
George worked for the Ford Motor Company and Benjamin always referred to her husband as her “Good Samaritan” because he always kept a box of automotive tools in his trunk so he could help anyone he met along the road who was having car trouble.
They were married for 53 years and lived in Woonsocket for 38 years before retiring in Florida for 12 years. She moved back to Rhode Island after George died and has been living in Cumberland for the last 20 years.
She has six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a great-great grandchild on the way.
“I’m very proud of my children and grandchildren and all of their achievements,” she said.
So what is the secret to her longevity?
“You just do what you have to do to stay healthy and active,” she says.