In celebrating a century birthday, Keystone Villa, in Douglassville, pulled out all the stops for resident Louise Temple. Louise was born Friday, June 13, 1913 in Rifle, Colorado and grew up in Northern Indiana. She graduated from St. Catherine’s Hospital in East Chicago, Indiana, where she completed her nurses training. She attended the University of New Hampshire where she met her husband-to-be G. Franklin Temple.
‘They lived in Pennsylvania most of their married life, in the Paoli area,’ said daughter Lois Temple.
Together, the Temple’s have one daughter, two grandsons, six great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter.
Louise’s husband, Franklin, was a chemical engineer for Foote Mineral Company, in Exton. Franklin passed away in 1988 and Louise moved to Keystone Villa when she was 94. She enjoys sowing, traveling, plays bridge, and reading. She has traveled around the United States, been to Europe and even the Panama Canal. ‘She was a homemaker until she taught a sowing class,’ Lois said.
For her 100th birthday celebration, a party was held at Keystone Villa for Louise’s family and friends. State Representative David Maloney was at the celebration to present Louise with a citation from the state.
‘I have to be excited,’ said Louise about her 100th birthday, ‘Everybody keeps telling me how great I am. I can’t believe it, honestly.’
‘All the sisters came to Colorado several times,’ said relative Roberta Hankins, of Colorado Springs, about one of her favorite memories. ‘They drove out once and flew out a couple times. We did all the local tourist attractions and had dinner with the family.’
‘I would spend my weekends with the Temple’s while I was doing my schooling in the Army,’ said Russel Hankins.
‘She goes around and takes orders for the hoagies for church and delivers them,’ said Ralph Rapposelli, of Birdsboro. ‘She’s a fantastic woman.’
‘She’s amazing,’ said friend Shirley Stafford, of Douglassville.
Louise walks to church at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, Douglassville, every Sunday if the weather is nice. The church held a surprise birthday breakfast for her Sunday, June 9. Louise says that ‘it’s not until you look back that your realize all the things you’ve done. I’ve had a good family, I’ve been very fortunate.’
‘If I hadn’t made new friends, I wouldn’t have any left,’ she said.
Louise’s lifestyle is inspirational to her friends at Keystone Villa. Louise’s sister, Jean King, will be turning 98 on September 12.
