By SUSAN BERG

Managing editor

Norma Hannaford is synonymous with Marion.

She has seen many changes in her 105 years on this earth, most of them in Marion, and Norma has been a part of many of those changes.

Still opinionated, a little feisty, and with a lot of gratitude, the grand dame of Marion celebrated another birthday Friday.

“I’m surprised to have lived this long,” she said, when asked to what she attributed her longevity. “I was thankful to live to be 90.”

Norma said she never smoked and didn’t drink much. She was health-conscious, exercising in her younger years.

With wit and wisdom, Norma continues to write a weekly column for the Marion County Record, which she has done for the past six years or so.

“I’m not as sharp as I used to be,” Norma confesses, “but the column is a kind of therapy.”

The centenarian remains well read. A voracious reader, Norma always has a book either she is reading or going to read.

With the help of family and friends, she remains in the same home she and husband, Roger Hannaford, had shared since the 1920s.

Born Norma McCullough in Leon, April 10, 1904, Norma and her family moved to Marion in the 1920s. The oldest of six children, she attended college for a short time but gave it up to get married and have a family.

“I’m sorry I didn’t get a degree,” she said. She thought about becoming a teacher but found herself in the title business when her husband died and she took over the family business, Hannaford Abstract & Title Company.

“It worked out OK,” Norma said with a smile.

She and Roger had three children, with son, Roger “Bud” and his wife, Lavonne, living next door to her.

Since her birth, Norma has seen 18 presidential elections, the first being the re-election of Teddy Roosevelt in November 1904.

She also has seen two world wars, a major economic depression, legislature giving women and people of color equal rights, and many of life’s ups and downs.

“It’s important to keep interested or you’ll get bored,” Norma said. “It’s good to stir things up once in a while. Chingawassa Days is a good pepper-upper. Those types of events really help the community.”

An avid community member, Norma recalled times when she “battled for the town a time or two.”

Attitude continues to be the most important “secret” to a long and happy life.

“Get involved. Stay positive. Be a good citizen and get out and vote,” she said. “Go with the flow.”

The popular Marion icon has received numerous well wishes from friends and family. The “official” family celebration was Saturday at McPherson, when granddaughter, Kathy Nicholson and husband, Bob, hosted a party with nearly 50 people in attendance. The party was a circus theme with a popcorn machine, balloons, and a clown.

People came from Colorado, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Arizona, and across the state to wish Norma a happy birthday.

“I have gone from horse and buggy days to rocket ships on the moon,” Norma said, making an upward gesture with her arm.