The Friends of the Shrewsbury Senior Center started the new year of 2024 with two birthday celebrations of the first centenarians of Isabelle Chang, the vibrant, amazing Shrewsbury Icon turned 100 years young on February 20th. Born in 1924 the fifth child of nine in the family, Isabelle was born in Boston and raised in Chinatown. She graduated from Simmons College in 1946 with a Bachelor of Science in Library Science. She then entered the Master’s Degree program at Yale University, but didn’t complete the program after meeting Min Chueh (MC) Chang, who became her husband. They moved to Shrewsbury in 1948 and had three children. MC Chang was a researcher at the Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology on Maple Ave and made critical contributions to the development of the oral contraceptive (birth control pill). Isabelle was a Shrewsbury Public Library Trustee before accepting the position as Director of the Public Library. After her tenure there she was with the middle school and high school library. Until most recently, Isabelle could always be seen walking to and from the Senior Center. Her birthday celebration took place at her home.
The second celebration honored Leone Kallio-Kern born on February 29, 1924. Lee, although celebrating 100 years young, being a leap year baby, actually celebrated her 25th birthday! Born and raised in Masardis, Maine, Leone married Walter Kallio and moved to Worcester to raise two daughters while working at Butler Deardon. She was widowed in 1990 and in 1999 married Lois Kern and moved to Shrewsbury. Lee is a proud grandmother of six and a great grandmother. The birthday gal is known to love sweets, and her occasional glass of white wine. The celebration for both centenarians took place at their homes with family, friends / neighbors and our Friends of the SSC honoring them. The birthday party is complete with cake donated by Nothing Bundt Cakes, amazing bouquet of flowers from Danielson Florists, presentation of a framed birthday certificate and balloons from the Friends, gifts and cupcakes from Maria Smith Real Estate. The centenarians are all very excited to be honored and celebrated for their milestone birthday.
More pictures OF OUR CELEBRATIONS.
