Celebrating 100

On a rainy Friday afternoon, Whitehall's Mary Davis smiled when she reminisced about her love of baking and how she is known for making a wonderful strawberry shortcake.

Her smile grew bigger as she told a story that many may not know of when she was 93 and ended up on a stage in Alaska with a hula hoop.

The story was one of many shared by Davis who will turn 100 Friday and will celebrate her birthday with family and friends Saturday at the Meadowlark Manor in Whitehall.

Her room at the Manor is decorated with many photos and reminders of her four children, 14 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.

Looking back on her 79 years living in the Whitehall area, her stories revolve around her family and many wonderful memories. She speaks glowingly of her time running sheep and cattle with her husband Herschel whom she was married to for 59 years, and raising their four children Shawn, Nanette, Gail and Joe.

Mary was born April 12, 1919 in Butte and would later graduate from the Longfellow School, Butte High School, and the Butte Business College.

Mary proudly said when she graduated from college, she had job opportunities with both the Power and Railroad Companies but would not pursue them after marrying Herschel in 1940 in Livingston.

As she told a story about running sheep from Hells Canyon to Melrose and finally up to their ranch in Big Hole, Mary glanced at a picture of her great granddaughter that sits next to her chair and said she was so proud of her because she would soon be graduating from the Air Force Academy. She also remembers a few years ago when great grandson Braden Larsen graduated the top of his class from Whitehall High School, adding his sister Trystin did a great job at Montana Tech.

She is happy with her home at the Manor and her many pictures and memories, but once again smiled and said there really isn't much to do other than bingo and she really misses being at her own home. Mary recalls many happy trips traveling the world with her son Shawn that would take her to countries like England, Germany, and Holland. She would also make yearly trips to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, an event founded by Shawn.

Mary is excited for her party Saturday, mostly to have family coming in from all over the country, some she hasn't seen for years.

She recalls many happy occasions with her family and special trips like the time she took granddaughter Francine to Salt Lake to purchase her rodeo queen outfit.

Mary said she loves all of her family very much and is proud of all of them.

She also wishes she'd be able to bake for them again and said the grandkids and great grandkids would always love to stop by her house to eat, especially the strawberry shortcake.