FARMINGTON – Work hard, be happy and avoid controversy with other people is the advice Lois Moulton gives for longevity in life.

Recognized as one of Livermore Falls’ oldest and treasured residents, Moulton became the newest recipient of the town’s Boston Post Cane on Wednesday at Pinewood Terrace Assisted Living Facility in Farmington where she now resides.

Town Manager Jim Chaousis and Selectmen Louise Chabot, Jackie Knight and David Lemire presented the cane and flowers to Moulton, who has lived more than half her life in Livermore Falls.

Presenting the cane to Moulton was one of the highlights of his first month as town manager, Chaousis said.

At 99 years and about six months, born in February 1910, she doesn’t look or act her age, said former neighbor Marion Moulton who was there for the presentation. Although they share friendship and the same last name, there is no relation, she added.

“She takes each day as it comes,” Marion said. “She makes friends easily and I can’t think of a soul she ever fought with.”

With a pleasant smile and gracious demeanor, Moulton said the honor wasn’t a total surprise because it was arranged so that her oldest son, Francis Moulton, at age 82, could attend during his visit here.

Two of Moulton’s children, including Francis, live in Florida, another in Georgia and one in Scarborough. One son, Bruce Moulton, served as a selectman in Livermore Falls for many years.

Moulton’s parents came to Livermore Falls from Solon in 1926 when her father took employment at the paper mill, she said. She married and had her children while living 45 years in Livermore Falls. A happy, 58-year marriage to Floyd Moulton ended when he passed away in 1984, she said.

“I’ve been lucky to be with people who were happy, positive and had good attitudes,” she said while speaking of a close family with her own siblings and then her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Moulton moved to Florida where she found numerous friends with whom she did some traveling but as they passed on or moved, she decided to return to Maine to spend another seven years in Livermore Falls before entering Pinewood Terrace where she’s been for a year and a half, she said.

“Livermore Falls was home to me,” she said of her desire to return there from Florida.

Moulton was active in the Rebekahs of Maine, working her way up the organization’s chairs before receiving her 60-year membership pin, she said. She also attended First Baptist Church in Livermore Falls and worked for a short period in the shoe shop when her youngest child became a little older, she said.