LEWISTON — Virginia (Virginie) Beland celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends on April 30 at her home in Lewiston.

Virginia is the daughter of Joseph and Eugenie (Otis) Beland, born April 30, 1911, in St. Damase, Quebec, Canada. In 1929, Virginia visited Maine to aid her sister Louise Gaudreau who was expecting her first child. After 17 years of traveling between Canada and Maine, she decided to become a U. S. citizen in 1946.

She never married, nor had any children. She was engaged when she was in her twenties, but her fiance was tragically killed and she claims, “I just never fell in love again.”

A devout Catholic, she kept house for Father Lucien Chabot for 50 years and although he has passed on, she resides in the residence to this day.

Virginia is a beautiful lady with countless talents. She is a wonderful cook, seamstress and gardener. Her zest for life, her hearty laugh and fabulous memory are just a few of her great qualities.

Her love for her family and friends was evident on her birthday, as 52 guests traveled from Canada, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, California and Maine.