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A book collecting the poetry of Norma “Billie” Barlow,” of Ironton, which was given out to guests at her 100th birthday party. (Heath Harrison | The Ironton Tribune)

The cake served for the 100th birthday of Norma “Billie” Barlow,” of Ironton, which included many of her loves, such as roses, cats and jigsaw puzzles. (Heath Harrison | The Ironton Tribune)

Norma “Billie” Barlow, at center, with her great-granddaughter, Emily Rodicel, left, and her granddaughter, Alison Kochan, right, at a party on April 19 to celebrate Barlow’s 100th birthday. (Heath Harrison | The Ironton Tribune)

Norma “Billie” Barlow, during the party held on April 19 to mark her 100th birthday. (Heath Harrison | The Ironton Tribune)

Norma “Billie” Barlow, left, speaks with Sallie Schisler, former pastor of Christ Episcopal Church, in Ironton, where Barlow attends, at a party on April 19 celebrating Barlow’s 100th birthday. (Heath Harrison | The Ironton Tribune)

John Ferguson, of Ironton, speaks at a party at his home on April 19, celebrating the 100th birthday of his aunt, Norma “Billie” Barlow,” at right. (Heath Harrison | The Ironton Tribune)

Norma “Billie” Barlow has a laugh during the party held on April 19 to mark her 100th birthday. (Heath Harrison | The Ironton Tribune)

Ironton woman celebrates 100th birthday

Last weekend was a special one for an Ironton woman.

Easter Sunday was the 100th birthday of Norma “Billie” Barlow, and, on Saturday, a party was held in her honor at the home of her nephew, John Ferguson.

Barlow, who lives on Sixth Street, was born April 20, 1925, the daughter of William and Nora Bruce.

She was married to William Barlow, who worked for the C&O Railroad, and they had two sons, Robert and Randall, and she is now a grandmother and great-grandmother. 

Longevity runs in her family. Her older sister, Betty, lived to be 99 years and four months old.

Betty’s daughter, Joy Vance, recalls growing up and Billie and Betty living within walking distance of each other.

She says of her aunt that she never drove until she was in her 60s, then continued to do so until just a few years ago.

She describes Barlow as a cat lover and her ability to grow roses. She also said she has a passion for working jigsaw puzzles.

She and Ferguson spoke of how Barlow often has a card table with one set up and under way.

Ferguson said they are often 1,000-piece puzzles, though Vance said, recently, Barlow has scaled down to 500 and 750-piece ones.

When asked how it felt to reach the milestone, Barlow said she “feels blessed.”

She said the party was not a surprise for her and she had been asked, in advance, which family members and friends she wanted to be sure were there.

The Tribune asked Barlow about some her memories of growing up in Ironton.

She said she recalled the 1937 flood, which occurred when she was 12.

“We rode a boat from McPherson Avenue to the courthouse, then over the hill to my  grandmother’s,” she said.

Vance described her aunt as mostly a “stay-at-home mom,” though Barlow recalled two jobs she had.

One was a clerk on the local draft board during World War II.

“They came in and we put them on buses,” she said of those headed to the theaters of war. “And one time, we had to go and get one out of jail first.”

Barlow said she worked that job until the war ended, then, afterward, she took a job for a while as a secretary.

As to her interests now, Barlow cited her well-known love and puzzles, and then using her tablet, which she uses to keep up with social media and other things.

“I’ve still got brains,” she joked.

Barlow spent her time moving around, talking up to the many guests at Ferguson’s home who came to celebrate with her.

Two of them were her granddaughter, Alison Kochan, and her great granddaughter, Emily Rodicel. Both said they were thankful to have her reach her age.

Kochan cited Barlow’s warm personality.

“She greets everyone with smiles and a sense of humor,” she said. “And she’s had a long life and has lots of stories.”

Rodicel said her great grandmother is “One of the sweetest people I’ve ever met.”

“She loves animals, no matter how big or how small,” Rodicel said.

She described her grandmother as “reserved.”

“But, when she opens up, she has a great sense of humor — and it can be dark,” she said with a laugh.

Barlow also writes poetry and Ferguson said he recently asked her to borrow some examples of her writing.

As a surprise for her, he assembled them into a book, which included a tribute poem of his own, “Hundred Piece Puzzle,” and copies were given to guests.

“Not complex are Billie’s pieces, when examined one and each,” Ferguson’s poem concluded. “Together fit with care and grace, reveals the masterpiece.”

“Now I know why he kept them for so long,” Barlow said, when they were presented to guests.

When it was said that she would be available to autograph them, Barlow laughed.

“I’ll probably make a fortune from these,” she joked.

Vance noted that her aunt has attended Christ Episcopal Church in Ironton her entire life, and that she and her husband were married there.

One of the guests on hand at the party was Sallie Schisler, former pastor of the church.

“It’s been a pleasure having her,” she said of Barlow’s time in the congregation. “And if anyone does deserve to live to be 100, it’s definitely Billie Barlow.”

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