I wonder what her maiden name is? Knowing Fall River, it is probably Earle, or Slade, or Buffinton. Cheers, Jeffrey Chace http://www.chace.demon.nl One spectacular century Deborah Allard, Herald News Staff Reporter 05/24/2006 FALL RIVER -- Call it genetics or call it luck, because Mae Chace doesn’t have any explanation for living through an entire century. "I don’t feel like anything. I feel young," said Chace at her 100th birthday party at the North End Senior Center Tuesday. It was quite an occasion. Chace was presented with a gigantic birthday cake to share with all her friends at the center, who in turn gave her a special, crocheted money tree. Then, it was a dinner of franks and beans -- her favorite -- and a round of Bingo. Chace plays Bingo at the center three days a week, and on Sunday nights at the Ponta Delgada Club. A Somerset resident for the past 92 years, she spent many years working in local sewing shops. Chace still lives on her own at Kennedy Terrace, an elder housing complex. She moved there at age 92, the same year she stopped driving her car. She does her own grocery shopping, though she gets a ride to the store now with her daughter. She takes no medications, save for a fluid pill and vitamins, and is on no special diet. "She eats anything she wants. She has a glass of wine once in a while," said her daughter, June Truver, 70. Chace said it was hard to believe her daughter, a retired bookkeeper, was 70 years old. "She’s catching up to me," she said. Chace has another daughter who is 68, and 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Her husband, Gordon, died at age 69. They were married for 39 years. Truver said longevity does not run in her family, and her mother has never been a health nut, though she’s never been a drinker or smoker either. She was diagnosed with cancer 50 years ago, which resulted in the loss of one of her breasts. At the senior center, Chace had smiles for everyone on her birthday. Mayor Edward M. Lambert Jr. was there to wish her a happy birthday and read a proclamation. "Look at her. God bless her," said Lambert. "We all want to know your secret." Chace had no problem blowing out her candles. She stood up from her seat to say: "I want to thank you all. You’re all good to me." E-mail Deborah Allard at dallard@heraldnews.com. Jeffrey Chace http://www.chace.demon.nl