Honesdale’s own Doris Day celebrates 100 years

By JEFFREY SIDLE
Posted 4/5/23

HONESDALE, PA — The dining area of the Honesdale Senior Center was all decked out with St. Patrick’s Day decorations on March 17.

Joy was added to the fun, because one of their own, …

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Honesdale’s own Doris Day celebrates 100 years

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HONESDALE, PA — The dining area of the Honesdale Senior Center was all decked out with St. Patrick’s Day decorations on March 17.

Joy was added to the fun, because one of their own, Mrs. Doris Day, was celebrating her 100th birthday.

The room was abuzz as her many family members, friends and local dignitaries gathered to help her celebrate.

Her actual birthday is March 16.

The local dignitaries attending the celebration were Sen. Rosemary Brown; Rep. Jonathan Fritz; Wayne County Commissioners Brian Smith, Jocelyn Cramer and James Shook; and Honesdale Mayor Derek Williams.

Mrs. Day, who is well known in the Honesdale area for her work at Day’s Bakery, took it all in stride.

She engaged everyone with smiles and conversation, and we had a brief conversation.  

I mentioned that I had heard many good things about her and that people all over town knew her, and she said, “Yes, because we had the bakery for so many years. I worked there until I was 94.”

Mrs. Day also loves playing cards. “I play canasta and I play hozzie [a game that might originate in northeast PA, and is said to be related to bid euchre]  and I play Rummikub down here [the Honesdale Senior Center]. I like to play canasta; we play at the library. Somebody picks me up.”

I learned from talking with some of her card-playing friends that she is a good card player and that she still keeps score. I also learned that Mrs. Day wants to see her 105th birthday!

Doris (Maudsley) Day was born in Binghamton, NY on March 16, 1923.  Doris grew up in Binghamton and went to school in Hancock and Damascus.  

Mrs. Day and her husband, Maurice (deceased), were married on August 30, 1940 in Equinunk.  They raised four children: Elmer Day (deceased), Edwin Day (deceased), Carolyn Love, and Lois Day.  She has 10 grandchildren (one is deceased), 15 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

She is a faithful member of the Central United Methodist Church in Honesdale.  She attends services and Bible study, and volunteers at events.  Mrs. Day continues to be a bundle of energy and stays active in the library and at the Honesdale senior center.  She hosts a weekly game and card night at her home.

Mrs. Day is best known for the delicious treats that she made at her family’s business, Day’s Bakery, which operated on Main Street in Honesdale from 1952 to 2015.  She never stopped working her usual hours of 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. until the bakery closed. Mrs. Day continues to bake treats every week, and gives away cookies throughout the year.

In a biographical document that was published by the Central United Methodist Church in 2021, acknowledging her as its oldest living member, Mrs. Day said, “I’m feeling like I’m way too busy. I don’t have time to get my cookies made.” She also said, “I think I’ll see 100, God willing, I can do something more with my life. It seems like I should be able to touch somebody. I pray every day that I can.”

Well, Mrs. Day, you have certainly touched everyone in the room, and many, many more. Congratulations—you are an inspiration to us all!

Dorris Day, 100th birthday, St. Patrick's Day, celebration, Honesdale

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