On This Earth for 103 Years

Doris Wilber just celebrated a birthday. That might not sound significant, until you understand that she was born on October 21st, 1914. At 103 years old, Doris Wilber, who’s lived in Medway for over 82 years, is the Town’s oldest resident. And she’s a peach.
“I got married when I was 21,” says Doris, who was married for over 63 years to Earl William Wilber. She grew up in Framingham, but moved to Medway the night of her wedding.
“After the reception in our house, my uncle drove us to Medway, and we came here at eleven at night. It was my honeymoon cottage,” laughs Doris. “Four rooms, no complete bathroom, and $16 a month rent. We lived there for 18 years with no hot water. You used to have a big, round, tin tub, and you’d have to heat your water to take a bath,” she remembers. “There were no paper diapers, either, and we couldn’t afford them if they had them.”
Doris and Earl had five children, and although they sadly lost their first child, a boy, the couple raised four children in Medway, in their birth order, Suzanne, Richard, Linda and Donna. Now, says Doris, she’s the grandmother of nine and the proud great grandmother of 17.
“They’re all wonderful, but they live far away, most of them,” she says, “but thank the Lord for the telephone.”
Neither Doris, nor her husband Earl, ever drove nor owned a car. Not getting her driver’s license, says Doris’ youngest daughter Donna, is the centenarian’s one regret.
“We walked everywhere,” says Doris, who worked until 87 years old cleaning houses. “Most of the places came and picked me up, and we had wonderful friends, wonderful, and I still have a couple,” says Doris, who even got weekly rides to the supermarket, where she could find her favorite cinnamon doughnuts.
“I eat a doughnut every day,” says Doris, who has a love for great foods and announces she’s never been on a diet in her life, “and I keep happy and smiling and like people, enjoy people, especially old ones.”
She loved to cook, too. Until a few years ago, says Donna, her mother would make “the best cakes you ever had in your life, with the best frosting in the world.
Although Doris loves to eat, she didn’t eat fast food, says Donna.
“Every single night, we had a home cooked meal,” she says.
Cooking at home didn’t mean Doris stayed there. “I love to go!” she says, whether getting out during the day for outings with friends or traveling greater distances by car or airplane.
Doris also remains active in the Rosalie Rebekah Lodge, of which she’s been a member for 73 years.
“I feel it has kept her alive,” says Donna. “She’s met so many people and had so many friends. It’s taken her places (such as the Rose Bowl).
“I still go to the meetings,” says Doris. “I don’t have a car, and I can’t walk there anymore, but I have a couple, Walter and Carolyn Johnson – every second and fourth Monday, they pick me up,” she says. “I enjoy being with people and going to the meetings, and the refreshments are always good, although people don’t bake like they used to.”
Doris also gets out to play cards once a week. These days, she loves Uno, she says. Her friend picks her up, and “after 4 o’clock we go and have a feast somewhere. I have a wonderful time,” says Doris.
Times have changed, says Doris. She can’t seem to find too many programs on TV these days, although she likes watching people win on a good gameshow. She also says drivers seemed more courteous years ago, and “the dear men, they don’t remove their hats anymore.”
Jeans are also a trend that’s not for her.
“I don’t like dungarees, and now they wear them to church,” says Doris. “I like good old fashioned house dresses. You used to put on your house dress and an apron.” Current swimsuit trends are a bit shocking as well. “They might as well walk around naked,” she laughs. Music has changed, too, and Doris prefers the crooners of yesteryear to today’s tunes, with her favorite being “Pennies from Heaven.” Her husband Earl, she says, was a wonderful singer.
“I still love the old music,” says Doris. “Sometimes, when I go up to my Suzanne’s, (we listen to) old records.”
Still, of her life at the Medway senior housing, where she’s lived for 15 years, Doris says, “I love every minute.” She has advice for those who are looking for her youthful secret.
“Don’t ever think of leaving,” says Doris, who has outlived many beloved friends and family, including her beloved cat, Blackie. “You’ve got to think positive. I have a friend, Rita Fahey. I talk to her every day, and she’ll say, ‘Doris, all our old friends are gone. I hope you thank the Lord every day.’ I say, ‘Rita, I do.’”