Five Chester County centenarians look back

From horses giving way to cars and the invention of television, to the election of more than a dozen presidents, World War II, and even the sale of sliced bread — the 45 Chester County centenarians who gathered for an annual luncheon this week have watched the world remake itself time and time again.

“I saw a lot of things. A lot of wars, and a lot of popes. There’s a lot of good things,” said Anne Caporale, who will turn 100 in July. “I got married, had a family. I had a good life.”

The annual luncheon celebrated Chester County’s group of centenarians — a total of 57 residents reaching or surpassing the milestone. Tuesday’s celebration saw a dozen who would turn 100 this year, plus quite a few returning attendees, including 108-year-old Evelyn Fair, who still writes poetry.

“You are the builders, the teachers, the parents, the neighbors, and the foundation of the Chester County community,” Josh Maxwell, chair of the board of county commissioners, told attendees. “Every single comfort and freedom we enjoy today is a direct result of the hard work, sacrifice, and grace you poured into the world decades and decades ago. We are walking today on paths that you have all cleared.”

Meet some of Chester County’s longest residents.

Henry Jacks moved to South Coatesville when he was 4 years old, and has called it home ever since. He’s witnessed “quite a bit of change.”

He remembers watching deliveries come by horse and wagon and recalls the hard days of the 1930s during the Great Depression (“cost of living wasn’t as bad as it is now,” he noted). Jacks joined the Army in 1940 during World War II, serving in the 92nd Engineers Regiment, and was stationed in Africa and Italy. He came back home to have three children, a boy and two girls.

He was a Boy Scout leader, the first Black mail carrier in Coatesville, a city councilmember, and a judge of elections. He still sings in the church choir. (His advice: “Treat people right. Go to church.”)

“So many changes that I’ve seen in the days,” he said. “I remember when I first saw TV; one of the neighbors had one, and all of the kids used to watch through his window. I’ve seen from the horses, to the cars, to the jet airplanes. And it’s been a wonderful life.”

Letitia Hemphill started her working life at the candy counter at the former F.W. Woolworth’s five-and-dime in her hometown of West Chester. Though her father remarked she wasn’t good at math, she’d go on to have a long career using her skills while filling the registers and doing the end-of-day count in a department store and later at the treasurer’s office.

She retired in 1986, but had trouble sitting still.

“I got bored of not working,” she said.

She started cleaning houses. It was something she’d always done: help her mother clean in the morning, and then go to the park in the afternoon. She kept up the tradition with her two grandkids and her two great-grandkids, who she babysat for 14 years.

An active life has been key to Hemphill, who did 10 years of ballroom dancing, and more than 20 years at the gym.

“Keep your body moving and keep your mind moving,” she said.

She keeps her mind active by painting landscapes in watercolor, a hobby she took up in 1995.

Hemphill was born in West Chester to a stonemason father and a stay-at-home mother. Once, someone asked Hemphill if she had a lot of friends. With 11 brothers and sisters, she remarked she didn’t need any.

When she journeys through West Chester, she points out all the stores that have changed over time.

Still, Chester County is “beautiful,” and much of her family is still around to keep her moving: two children, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Up until last year or so, Joseph Donia’s hobby was building boats. He constructed a 20-foot wooden cabin cruiser from scratch. He had it for 40 years.

“The only reason I sold it — my wife couldn’t get on it anymore,” he said.

He had a lifelong love of boats, and spent five years at sea for the Merchant Marine in World War II. His time in service was the only time he wasn’t living in West Chester, where he bought a house and raised three kids. He also has six grandkids and three great-grandkids.

His most recent project was a 35-foot sailboat. It’s still sitting behind his West Chester home, but he’s given it to his son to finish.

It kept the 100-year-old active — something he advises.

Eleanor Hammond has always been a fan of creative pursuits: a voracious reader, who knit and sewed. She stitched her daughter’s wedding gown, and, perhaps more memorably, a jacket for her husband.

“He insisted I make him a jacket because I sewed for everyone else. He picked out the material; looked like Liberace. It was horrible,” she said. “I wouldn’t go out with him when he wore it.”

A graduate of Coatesville High School, Hammond would go on to work there until she was 81, in the principal’s office. She was once a disciplinarian, and truancy officer. She’s watched the county change over time, marveling at the amount of development. And, less positively, the traffic.

“The way to get here, I used to zip here,” she said. “But I can’t do that now.”

Still, she likes it, and the changes that have come with time.

“I’ve been here a long time. Everything about it is beautiful. The people are friendly, and it’s a beautiful place,” she said.

And as much as she loves home, she recommends travel. If you don’t know the language, be nice, smile, and “use your arms” to convey your meaning.

Anne Caporale graduated alongside Hammond at Coatesville High School. She went on to raise six kids, 10 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

“We have quite a group,” she said. “I love them.”

She has found Chester County to be a good place to live and “wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”

She lives at home, right by one of Downingtown’s high schools, which she loves because “the kids are great.” She still does her laundry and cooks every day. The luncheon Tuesday was a treat for her. “Let somebody else do the cooking,” she said.

Keeping active is the secret, she said.

“I know we’re here for a reason, but I don’t know it. I don’t question it,” she said.

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