LEWISTON – Nellie Tidswell of Auburn celebrated her 80th birthday in February with family and friends at Marco’s Restaurant. More than 45 attended from Livermore, Livermore Falls, Jay, Turner, North Turner, Auburn, Lewiston, Greene, Kingfield, Rumford, Sabattus, Dedham, Sidney and Ocala, Fla.

Tidswell was born in Livermore, the daughter of Perley C. Gordon and Sarah V. (Lettie) Beedy. She was educated in Livermore and Leavitt schools and still attends the summer reunion with her remaining classmates.

Tidswell moved three years ago from the Livermore farm that she and her late husband, Charlie Tidswell, ran along with their fruit stand.

She served the town of Livermore in several capacities beginning in 1965. She served as tax collector, constable, town clerk, secretary to the selectmen, and treasurer. Tidswell served as treasurer from 1972 until she retired because of illness in 1995.

She also owned and operated the Carpet Rack in Livermore Falls. She incorporated her love of traveling with organizing bus trips under the name of “Nellie’s Friends” for many years until a second illness.

Tidswell has belonged to many groups and organizations over the years, including the Livermore Cemetery Committee, Senior Citizens in Livermore Falls, Turner and Auburn, Grange, Extension, historical society, bowling leagues, woman’s club, craft groups, 4-H and board of directors for Franklin Memorial Hospital. She organized swim lessons for local children in Brettuns.

Tidswell enjoys new adventures and has taken trips with her youngest granddaughter to Europe and the Bahamas. She reads extensively and has taken college classes on tourism. Her mottos are “might as well laugh as cry” and “if it doesn’t kill you, it only makes you stronger.”

Tidswell is enjoying her retirement as a landlord of two apartment buildings and spending as much time as she can with family. She has four children, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, with another due.