Happy Birthday to "The Oldest Witch"

The self-proclaimed "oldest witch" Evelyn Stedman turned 96 on Halloween. 

	Evelyn Stedman

Evelyn and her husband bought the 17th membership to Pearce back in 1990. Though her husband has passed away, Evelyn maintains her charter membership and active participation. 

But she was involved with Pearce Community Center before it ever opened. She came to Pearce School each day during high school, graduating in 1939. Then in the late 1980's, Evelyn served as treasurer to a group of seniors who worked hard to get Pearce up and running. In fact, she only resigned as treasurer two years ago.

The group sold raffle tickets to raise funds to open Pearce. It took a year to sell all the tickets, but they raised enough money to donate $8,000 to Pearce and award $7,000 in prizes. 

After Pearce opened, Evelyn swam laps, worked out with the weights and equipment, and walked laps in the gym equivalent to walking to Chicago. These days you'll find Evelyn playing cards upstairs in the Senior Room and enjoying lunch each month at the senior potluck.

Evelyn received a well-deserved "THANK YOU" from Pearce management during the October senior potluck as well as a huge round of applause.

Her Pearce senior friends surprised her with a birthday party during card playing.  

Her secret to a long life? "I haven't got a clue," she said with a hearty laugh.