Marie Pickhardt just celebrated her 100th birthday Friday May 6th (her birthday was the 4th) at The Art League of Irvington monthly meeting luncheon at Crestwood Village East. As I sat down with a dozen or so club members of all ages, I assumed it would be easy to pick out the 100 year old among the members, but the more I looked the more I realized I couldn’t pick her out. When they recognized her, I was shocked that it was the lovely lady two seats down from me with the smooth complexion. Of course, my very first questions to her was “what do you use on your face?” She said she has always used Elizabeth Arden products —Visible Difference. Obviously it was working — she should do commercials for them!
Marie just moved into Crestwood in March of this year. Before that she was still residing at the home she and her husband (Oliver “Pick”) built in 1942 in the Eastgate neighborhood (her house is just behind our Weekly View offices on N. Shortridge Rd.). Marie said they bought a lot on Woodside when they were first married and had a Fannie Mae mortgage (founded in 1938). Marie said she knew Holy Spirit parish had also bought land on 10th Street directly south of her lot, so she actually had a house built before the church was built. She lived in that comfortable house for 72 years, raised two children, a son (Dave) now living in Kansas and a daughter Marcia Bowman, who lives just minutes away. She has five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Maria said the grandkids have already said “it just won’t be Christmas without grandma’s house” to have it in. This transition to living at Crestwood was Marie’s own choice because most of her Bridge Club friends live there anyway. She is very happy with her decision and had to comfort one of her granddaughters who was very emotional about the move.
Marie was still driving (just in the surrounding area) until last year. She lost her husband (he had retired from Eli Lilly) in 1989, so she’s been an independent woman for some time.
Maria has been an eastsider her whole life, growing up in St. Patrick’s parish on east Prospect. Later the family moved to North Arlington just south of 10th Street in Irvington. She graduated from St. John’s High School.
Maria enjoyed being a homemaker, and was active in the community and served as Publicity Chair of the Union of Clubs in Irvington (which has more clubs than most neighborhoods). She also has served as President of The Art League of Irvington in the past.
Back when Marie first started with that club, the ladies in attendance at meetings wore white gloves and hats — a bygone time of grace and elegance.
At her party I sat right next to one of Marie’s best friends, Margaret Aull, who told me what a good crafter Marie was. Marie enjoys quilting and crocheting. Marie’s mother was a seamstress and made most of her and her sister’s clothing — talent like that is in the genes.
I ask what Marie’s secret to such a long life and she said “it’s not a secret. She just always watches what she eats and tries to get regular exercise.” Marie said she takes advice from the Harvard Health publications about what to avoid. She also drinks a lot of water. We could all use that tip.
With Mother’s Day just past, I asked her daughter to tell me about her mother and Marcia said, “she’s the most beautiful person — I’m lucky to have her as a mother. . . she was a strong and good example for me.” As I watched Marie walk back to her room with no assistance, with a perky step and a sparkling eye, I couldn’t help but admire such a strong and charming lady. Maria’s family had a huge party planned for Saturday (nearly 100 people attended).
The Art Guild of Irvington who invited me to Maria’s party is a group of ladies who are not necessarily artists but art appreciators who always welcome new members. They meet monthly at the Historic Benton House at 312 S. Downey and you don’t have to live in Irvington to join (artleauge.irvington@gmail.com or call 489-8892 for more information).
