Leta Deveraux, mother of Barker-Ewing’s Patty Ewing turns 105 this Friday! »

Leta Grace Deveraux celebrates a remarkable 105 years this Friday, March 29th. This is Leta’s story, written by her daughter Patty.

Mother’s good health combined with sound mental acuity and an active sense of humor (which my husband Frank engages with his teasing every day) has allowed her to live another comfortable year in our home. While she requires much more physical aid, she still walks short distances with a walker and our support. Frank is earning the world’s best son-in-law award: his physical help certainly, but most importantly, his empathy, his good-natured teasing, silly comments and engaging stories keep Mother smiling and laughing, even though she may not hear or understand all his words. Without Frank and our daughter Heather’s support, we could not keep Mother at home. We are also grateful for the loving, caring ladies who to come to provide much needed aid and respite time. Our daughter Shannon, my brother and Mother’s son Jay Deveraux & his wife Cynthia plus other family members make special efforts to come see her as often as possible, which we appreciate.

Watch the TODAY Show this Friday the 29th. We hope Willard Scott will, once again, send Birthday Wishes to Mother. I have also enrolled her in a Centenarian Project. Mother loves cards, telephone calls (difficult for her to hear or be heard, so I always have to be on an extension to repeat and prod). She never fails to remember family and old friends. Her face lights up when our dogs and visiting ones stop at her chair for a pat or sit in her lap. She enjoys short drives in the car for wildlife watching and visiting friends. A very gentle person, Leta has arrived at this time of her life with a great deal of grace and dignity, a lifetime of memories and friends. Each night she wants her bed raised so my Daddy’s photo, her late husband’s, is the last thing she sees and thinks about before going to sleep.

-Patty Deveraux Ewing