Friends, family, public officials honor Mildred Hillman’s birthday milestone at senior center
By: John Dunphy
The secrets to a long life: hard work. Do everything you can. Keep busy.
These are the mottoes of Mildred Hillman, who celebrated her 100th birthday with friends, family and about 50 members of the Lawrence Senior Center, on Darrah Lane East, on Friday.
The morning party featured several music and dance numbers organized by members, gifts, a large card signed by many members of the senior center, other kind words and several official acknowledgements of the milestone.
Letters of recognition were presented on behalf of Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes and Trenton Mayor Douglas Palmer. Lawrence Mayor Gregory Puliti presented Ms. Hillman a proclamation from Township Council, as well as a letter from U.S. Rep. Rush Holt, who could not make the engagement.
"I’ve been mayor four times in 12 years on council. This is my first time being able to celebrate a 100th birthday," Mr. Puliti said.
Lillian LaSalle, the executive director for the Lawrence Senior Center, said, through preparations for the celebrations, "it was a privilege and really an honor to get to know her better."
Ms. Hillman, flanked by presents, proclamations and several birthday balloons, smiled as she thanked everyone who had come out for her birthday celebration. "I really never expected this beautiful party," she said. "Thank you so much."
Described by some as "ageless," Ms. Hillman, who moved in with her son on Federal Point Boulevard four years ago, isn’t surprised when someone tells her she could pass for someone many years her junior. "I’ve heard it a hundred times," she said.
Those 100 years, however, didn’t come without adversities.
Born Lillian Radice on July 29, 1907, on Chestnut Avenue in the Chambersburg section of Trenton, Ms. Hillman’s Italian mother was pregnant with her when the family arrived in the United States. She was one of 10 children, the rest of whom are now deceased.
Ms. Hillman worked as a sales clerk and later as a seamstress, a job she held until retiring at 65. In 1952, Ms. Hillman, a recent divorcee with two children, 15-year-old Marty and 10-year-old Betsy, moved to Ewing where she raised them on her own, at a property she lived in until she was 96.
She said that need to not only raise her children, but raise them well, propelled her forward in even the most trying times.
"I became strong because I had no other choice," she said. "I never said, ‘God, why me?’"
Martin Hillman, a former Trenton City Councilman, said his mother taught her children "the basics in life."
"The right way and the wrong way it was engrained in us," he said. "She was always a good example."
And that good example, Ms. Hillman told the assembled well wishers on Friday, was reflected in her kids and their accomplishments.
"The happiest day of my life was when my son graduated from Rider College (now Rider University) and my daughter graduated from high school," she said. "That made me very happy."
Today, Ms. Hillman maintains an upbeat attitude through an active lifestyle. She continues to do light housework, cook and spend time with friends. Every Friday, she goes to the senior center for lunch and bingo.
One of her main passions, sewing, is something the centenarian continues to participate in, and "I’ll never stop until I drop," she said.
Though much has changed in the area and the world over the last 100 years, Ms. Hillman could only think of one change she’s wasn’t particularly happy with.
"I can’t cope with these cell phones. I was happy when it was on the wall," she said. "Otherwise, everything’s fine."
Martin Hillman, now 70, said it was that attitude that made, and continues to make Mildred Hillman who she is today.
"Neither my sister or I could have accomplished our successes if it wasn’t for my mother," he said.
"The wonderful thing is it’s amazing she’s made 100 years. It’s more amazing that she’s made it with such a quality of life," he added. "She counts her blessings, as I do."
While being a single working mother required of Ms. Hillman a lot more than others, that work shaped her and her children, and has given her, so far, a century of memories.
"I raised two wonderful children. They made my life happy," she said. "And I have five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. I have a beautiful family and I thank God for that."

