Edythe Frank Celebrates 100th Birthday
The blaring of a fire truck’s siren as it approached a party, cars honking horns as they drove by, letters, cards, proclamations, flowers, and dozens of relatives and friends were part of a surprise yard party on Saturday, June 26 celebrating the 100th birthday of Edythe Claire Hansen Frank of N. 12th St., Kenilworth, NJ. Also stopping by were Mayor Linda Karlovitch and Councilman Louis De Mondo who extended personal congratulations to the birthday girl as did her minister, Father Andy Kruger, of Trinity Episcopal Church, Cranford. Edythe’s actual birthday was the next day, having been born in Jersey City on June 27, 1921 to William E. and Laura Jane Silvers Hansen.
Not only does Edythe have the distinction of being a centenarian but she very well may be the oldest, and longest dues-paying Girl Scout in the United States. In 1931 at age nine she became a Brownie Scout and in 1935 a registered Girl Scout.
One of three children, Edythe married Sgt. George J. Frank on Armistice Day, 1943 while he was on short leave from the US Army during WWII. She said, “He came home on short leave and we got married.” During the war she tried to enlist with the Navy, Coast Guard, and Marines and they were not taking people at that time. The Army indicated they would take her but her parents and husband asked her to reconsider. Eventually she decided to remain at home.
After WWII they lived in a Millburn apartment and ran a luncheonette. They soon had two children – George (aka “Stretch’) and Laurie-Jo. The couple bought some building lots in Kenilworth on N. 12th St. for a few hundred dollars and began to erect their own home with their own labor and that of relatives and friends. Edythe remarked, “I handed him the cinder blocks and he added the mortar.” At last, in 1949, they moved in and later had two more children – Sue-Ellen and Donna-Claire. George passed way in 2012 at age 91 after 68 years of marriage.
Both Edythe and George were part of Kenilworth scouting – he with the Cub Scouts and she with the Brownies and then the Girl Scouts. They were scout leaders for their own children and many more from town. Edythe started out as a Brownie leader and as her daughters grew older, she become a Girl Scout leader spanning a period of 14 years from1957 to 1971.
Edythe recalls trips to Camp Wild Cherry and the old Girl Scout cabin at the end of N. 18th and N. 19th streets adjacent to Black Brook Park. She mentioned, “There was really nothing around there at the time. There was a lot of open space.” She reminisced about the wild cherry trees, poison ivy, dirt, and dust. Edythe stated, “We couldn’t wait to wash off all of the dirt from camp. When we got home after day camp, the first thing we did was to shower to get rid of the dirt.”
In 1995 Edythe was honored by the Washington Rock Girl Scout Council with a 60-year service pin and again in 2005 with a 70-year pin. Still a dues-paid Girl Scout after 90 years, Edythe indicated a few years ago, “Everyone worked nicely together at Camp Wild Cherry. We really were sincere about following the Girl Scout Promise and Law. I still follow it today.”
A special highlight of the day was the attendance of Natasha Hemmings, CEO of Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey. Ms. Hemmings announced that Edythe had been awarded the distinct honor of “Life Time Girl Scout,” and noted that among other benefits, was that no longer would Edythe need to pay dues. With a smile, Edythe said, “So glad to be a Life Time Girl Scout as at times I was late in paying my dues. Now I don’t have to worry about it.”
The hostess of the party was Edythe’s granddaughter, Dionne Frank, who resides next door. She is one of Edythe’s 10 grandchildren. Edythe also has 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
The celebration continued over to the following day with continued surprises as more relatives and friends arrived. On Sun., July 11, a third get together with old friends visiting was held in Ocean Beach, NJ where Edythe and her late husband, George, husband, had a home for over 30 years. Edythe concluded, “I never had any idea about the surprise party. I was pleased to see so many people.”
Granddaughter Dionne, commented, “As a family, we are very blessed to have her with us, in good mental and physical health. Edythe is the true matriarch of the Frank Family and is always ready to dole out love and humor. The entire weekend was a surprise for Gramma so every person who walked up the driveway to greet her, made her more excited and filled with love and joy.”
Research provided by Walter E. Boright, Ed. D., historian, and Irene Laki for the Girl Scouts. Persons with inquiries about this or other aspects of Kenilworth history may contact Dr. Boright at drbori@aol.com or 908-256-5200.
