BANGOR (NEWS CENTER Maine) — Gilberte Bickford is celebrating her 100th birthday.
Residents, staff, and family gathered at Maine Veterans' Homes in Bangor yesterday to honor Gilberte "Bertie" Bickford.
Gilberte “Bertie” Dumont was born to Philemon and Melanie Dumont and raised in a French-speaking neighborhood in Augusta, Maine. She was one of nine children and left school after the eighth grade to help out her family financially. She worked both in a paper mill and in a shoe factory in Augusta.
Bertie married Guy Bickford, and they were married for 51 years. When Guy had a stroke, Bertie finally learned to drive. She was considerably older than the rest of the students – 60 years old!
"Bertie is a vibrant addition to our MVH Bangor family," said Greg Urban, MVH Bangor Administrator.
"She loves playing BINGO, doing puzzles, and attending the many musical performances and parties we host in our Veterans’ Hall."
