THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 23, 1995 TAG: 9503210103
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
As a state senator, vice mayor and former vice mayor sang her praises, Onie Claiborne sat quietly.
Every so often, she would take hold of a birthday card propped in front of her and scrape away a few crumbs, eager to tidy the table. Or when someone in the audience waved, her eyes would brighten and she would flash them a smile.
But for most of her 108th birthday party March 17, this Norfolk Health Care Center resident sat happily basking in the accolades.
``She's always like that,'' her longtime nurse, Mary O'Brien, said affectionately. ``She is such a peaceful person; she's just so contented and calm all the time. And so sweet. I think that's one reason she's lived so long. She really hasn't let stress into her life.''
Born in 1887 in Chesterfield, Va., Claiborne is the center's oldest resident, and probably one of the oldest residents of Norfolk.
Except for a slight diabetic condition, the woman is in ``remarkable health for someone her age,'' said her nurse. Claiborne is still able to feed herself and walk on her own. She makes her own bed, and eats ``like a piggy.''
Because she rarely talks anymore, however, little is known of her life before she came to the center in 1991.
``She will talk if she wants something,'' O'Brien explained. ``But most times she's just happy to sit and flip through her books and newspaper or tidy her clothes. She's a very neat person ... and just so sweet. She is just a fabulous woman.''
According to the center's administrator, Willie Austin, Claiborne was married, but her husband died some years ago. The couple had adopted a child, but Claiborne had to give it up after her husband died and she became seriously ill.
``As far as we know she has no family,'' Austin said. ``So we feel the staff is now her family.''
Some 50 of Claiborne's ``family,'' along with Vice Mayor Paul Riddick, State Sen. Yvonne Miller and former Vice Mayor the Rev. Joseph Green gathered for a birthday celebration last Friday at the Princess Anne Road center.
``Your presence says to us that life is precious at any age,'' Miller told Claiborne. ``You are truly a testimony to having God's faith.''
Riddick read a proclamation from City Council members touting Claiborne's milestone, then gave the birthday girl a kiss and pinned a commemorative pin on her dress.
After a few songs, a three-layered cake with ``108'' candles displayed prominently across the top was cut.
Through it all, Claiborne, content as usual, just smiled. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by BETH BERGMAN
Onie Claiborne celebrated her 108th birthday last Friday.
by CNB