The following article appeared in March newletter 2010
Happy 97th Birthday Elsie Marshall
Birthday wishes go out to Elsie Marshall who will celebrate her 97th birthday March 28th. Some of you may remember the beautiful Christmas cactus in years past that would grace the front of the sanctuary. It was full of pink and white blossoms, and I do mean FULL. The plant was huge, and still is. It’s estimated the plant is over 50 years old and bloomed this year at Elsie’s home. She loves plants and flowers and is truly one who has a “green thumb”. Her flowers were always a treat to see when she would bring them for the front of the sanctuary. As her eyesight started to fail, she would still be found in the flower patch pulling out those pesky weeds!
Elsie is a doer. During her nursing years she had to deliver a baby at home because the doctor could not get there in time. She would always invite anyone to come see her beautiful flowers. “Can I stop by today,” I asked. “Well, how about the day after,” she replied, “I’m painting the ceiling today.” Elsie was a devoted member of our choir for many years, and singing in the choir was one of her greatest joys. Her alto voice was a leader in the group. Some of the notes would go quite low on the scale, but our choir director would say, “That’s not to low for Elsie; she can hit it”. She now has a CD player and enjoys listening and SINGING along with Tennessee Ernie Ford’s hymns.
Elsie loved to crochet and did so until her eyesight made it too difficult. One winter she made about a dozen hats in various sizes and brought them to the church. She invited any one who wanted one to take it. One mother later told her that when her daughter outgrew hers, she put it away for her children. She always enjoyed watching and feeding hummingbirds, and was not at all happy when a cat got one of them in mid air.
Can we talk about sticky buns? Well, Elsie was an expert in the art of making this
delectable treat, and the apple pies could not be surpassed. To this day her children and
grandchildren have tried to duplicate the taste, but to no avail. Elsie was the expert.
We the Bethel family, wish Elsie a blessed 97th birthday. Here is you chance to say happy Birthday to:
Elsie Marshall
Room 220
Avalon Nursing Center
Many happy returns on the day of your birth
May sunshine and gladness be given
May God in his mercy, prepare you on earth
For a beautiful birthday in heaven
By Janet (Marshall)Schaefer
& Nancy Gibson
