Jarboe celebrates 100th birthday
On Sept. 17, about 180 family members and friends gathered to help Rita Alyce Jarboe celebrate her 100th birthday. The party, given by her family, was held in Johnny Bean’s garage, near Valley Lee.
Jarboe was born in Scotland, Md., and has lived in St. Mary’s County her entire life. Her parents were Susan Marie Ridgell and James Parran Tennyson. Her siblings were Benedict Ekas, James Aubrey, her twin sister Rebecca Agnes and Joseph Parran, all deceased.
Jarboe attended school in a one-room schoolhouse, then St. Michael’s Grammar School, and graduated from St. Michael’s High School on June 2, 1935, as valedictorian of her class.
She married Benedict Parran Jarboe on April April 13, 1936. They happily shared 67 years of marriage until his death on March 17, 2003. They had six children: Benedict Paul, Mary Shirkey (deceased), Brenda Jean, John Parran, Lawrence Wayne (deceased) and Robert Neal. The Jarboes also had six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, along with numerous nieces and nephews. She is the oldest living member of the Tennyson and Jarboe families.
She volunteered in several organizations, receiving awards for outstanding dedication and years of service. She was a charter member of the Ladies of Charity, Catholic Daughters Court St. Mary’s and KC Belles. She was also a member of the Ridge Lions Club.
She and her husband had an active social life, attending dances, card parties, which she still enjoys, and vacations to Canada and all but six U.S. states. Her hobbies include crocheting, taking pictures, making scrapbooks of trips and yearbooks of important family events. She is an avid sports fan of Nascar racing, Redskins football and the Baltimore Orioles.
Jarboe lived in her home near Leonardtown since 1997 until last fall when she decided it was time to move to an assisted living facility due to a hip issue and difficulty walking. Since Jan. 27, she has lived in Spring Village at Wildewood. She still goes out for lunch, cocktails, special events and card parties, and is looking forward to many more birthdays.