By Ethel Mickey
Correspondent
—
TOPSFIELD — Mary Lawler turned 105 yesterday, but according to her, 105 is the same as any other age.
"I feel just the same as I did before," Lawler said.
Born in 1905 in Manchester, N.H., Lawler lived for nearly 60 years in Haverhill with her husband and her two children. Lawler also managed the dress store Smart Shoppe in Haverhill, and she said that she loves clothes and being stylish.
When she was not working or raising her children, Lawler always tried to find time to volunteer. After moving to Middleton more than 20 years ago, she worked at the Flint Public Library and in the town's flu clinic.
"I worked there as many years as they've been in business," she said of the clinic.
Today, Lawler still enjoys watching sports on television, and she's an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan. She always loved to read and travel, and she's been to every U.S. state, Canada and Ireland.
"I'm Irish all the way," she said proudly.
Five years ago, on Lawler's 100th birthday, she received a golden cane from the town for being the town's oldest resident. She also received birthday letters from many government officials.
This year, Lawler celebrated with a party Sunday at the Masconomet Health Care Center in Topsfield, where she has lived for the past three years. Her daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Bill Bowes of Middleton; other family members; and close friends attended the party, where guests feasted on cake and lobster rolls — Mary's favorite.
"I love lobster," she said. "My specialty used to be baked stuffed lobster."
When asked what her birthday wish was, Lawler said, "I hope that my family all have good health."
There are currently five generations of women in Lawler's family living throughout the country, and with Lawler's genes, her two children, eight grandchildren, one great-grandchild and one great-great-grandchild should be healthy for a long time to come.
Lawler admits that she has no secret to life.
"I just do what I have to do — that's all," she said.
