Retired Harrison Teacher Celebrates 104th Birthday

Biography of Mildred Stephens Lemos:

Mildred was born on May 5, 1907 in Southport, NY, her parents were John and Elizabeth Stephens.  Mildred was one of ten children and only Mildred and her younger sister (the BABY) Veronica a retired nurse passed away. Oddly enough five sisters out of the ten children were school teachers.

Mildred’s father John was born and raised in Bavaria but left the country, turning age 18 on the boat trip to America in an effort not to be inducted into the German Army. When he landed in New York from Bavaria he met and married Elizabeth and they started their large family. When Mildred and her siblings were growing up they were told that English was the only language to be spoken, German was never to be used, and he wanted to distance himself and his family from Germany.

Mildred received her teaching degree from Oneonta College and had her first teaching position in Belmont Long Island. She taught there for four years before moving to Westchester County. Mildred lived in a few different sections of Harrison before moving into her home where she resides today on Second Street, Harrison NY.

Mildred soon joined the Harrison Central School District after her move from Belmont, NY and taught for 20 years at Parsons Memorial Elementary School. She taught fourth grade on the third floor in the attic of Parsons. Later she transferred to Pleasant Ridge Elementary School where she completed an additional twenty years teaching the second grade.  Mildred Lemos – “Harrison did not have bad children!”  Mildred has no children but is fortunate to consider all of her past students “her Children”.  Mildred Stephens Lemos retired from the Harrison Central School District after over 40 years of employment in 1973 at age 66.

Mildred drove her car until age 98 when she decided to give up driving. Then she walked to the stores and downtown to the post office until she reached age 99.

Mildred keeps herself active by reading, gardening and having and nearby friendly neighbors.  Neighborhood eyes are always watching her home and her at some point during each day. The Harrison police visit once daily and one neighbor especially, Frances Controtta who lives around the corner from Mildred, checks on her daily, takes her grocery shopping, to doctors appointments, the hair dressers and Mrs. Mildred Lemos described her as “an angel”, she just may be!  Mildred Lemos takes advantage of the “Meals on Wheels’ program provided by the town of Harrison through the Community Services Dept for her Monday through Friday dining and she cooks for herself on weekends.

Mildred suffered a mishap over the winter months but is on the mend and ready to take on number 105 next year!

Happy 104th Birthday Mildred!

Love,

All of your neighbors in the Franklin Park area of town and all of your friends and former students whose hearts you’ve touched during the past 104 years! We LOVE you!