Ellen Doyle

Born: May 04 1882

A sharp, well-read lady with a life-long interest in books and a library to prove it. Ellen’s preference was for classics and novels, she said, though she was also a keen reader of politics and world affairs. For an hour or more our conversation moved from one author to another, then on to news stories current and past and a multitude of related topics.

Ellen, at 102, was a keen portrait subject, naturally intuitive in interpreting my instructions to turn slightly this way or that, an awareness few subjects of any age possess. She told me she believed climbing stairs kept her muscles flexible and strong, and that’s why she refused to use elevators or escalators, while at the same time always making sure to remain mentally and physically active. An interesting and gracious lady whose company and conversation I thoroughly enjoyed.