WHEREAS: Mary Rowse West was born in Lexington, Massachusetts, on June 30, 1922. When not climbing trees and doing unladylike adventures, Mary played the harmonica in the elementary school band led by Edwin S. West;
WHEREAS: Mary Rowse West attended Concord Academy. After graduation, Mary was enrolled in Ashley Hall, a finishing school to shape Mary into a lady. She attended Tufts University to become a nursery school and kindergarten teacher;
WHEREAS: Mary Rowse West worked at Raytheon during World War II as a file clerk.
WHEREAS: Mary Rowse West and Edwin West married in 1948 and moved to Townsend in 1950;
WHEREAS: Mary Rowse West was instrumental in organizing the first kindergarten in Townsend, the Townsend Cooperative Kindergarten at the Townsend Congregational Church;
WHEREAS: Mary Rowse West was very active in community affairs. Mary and Edwin West were the backbone of the Townsend Historical Society and members of the TOwnsend Congregational Church and Townsend Couples Club;
WHEREAS: Mary Rowse West was very involved in Civic Duty and volunteered as an election worker, and to visit and shop for senior citizens, and volunteered to deliver meals on wheels. She was also a Girl Scout leader;
WHEREAS: Mary Rowse West has exemplified her stance in 72 years of living in Townsend, thus bringing her to this day of her 100th birthday;
NOW THEREFORE, we, Veronica Kell, Charles Sexton-Diranian, and Theresa Morse, Selectmen of the Town of Townsend, Middlesex County, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, hereby proclaim, Tuesday, June 30, 2022 as,
"Mary Rowse West Day"
On behalf of the Town of Townsend, the Board of Selectmen extend their best wishes to you on the occasion of your 100th Birthday. Signed this day, June 23, 2022 by the Board of Selectmen.
