Baby blankets for birthday girl honor her 96 years

Photo: John Governale

BIRTHDAY BLANKETS — Leona Record, 96, shows off some of the 96 baby blankets that were made in her honor. Next to her is Amy Lilly, of Bethel. Behind her are Amy Levasseur, Harrison; Nancy Andreadakis and Marge Ripley, South Paris; and Carol Welsh, of Stephens Memorial Hospital.

OXFORD HILLS — Leona Record, of Oxford, knew that friends were making baby blankets to donate to area hospitals, but had no idea they were making them in her honor.

A few days before her 96th birthday, Record learned that not only were the blankets in her honor, but there was one for each year of her life.

When she heard the news, she smiled.

"I knew they were making baby blankets, but I didn't know they were to honor me or that there were so many," she said.

The project was started earlier this year by women in the Oxford Hills who are members of the Relief Society, a philanthropic and educational women's organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Record has been a long-time member of the local LDS Church, which has its chapel on the Skeetfield Road in Oxford.

The 96 blankets are being divided between Rumford Hospital, Bridgton Hospital, and Stephens Memorial in Norway.

Amy Levasseur, of Harrison, is president of the local Relief Society.

"As a community, we need to be there for each other and support each other and help each other. And no one needs more help and support than new mothers," Levasseur said.

By August, 60 of the 95 blankets were completed. Levasseur called on Marge Ripley, of South Paris, to take charge of coordinating the project.

"Marge really took up the banner and ran with it," Levasseur said. "And now we have not 95, but 96 blankets, because Leona has turned 96."

Leona Record is somewhat frail now, but is clear-headed and in good health. She was born in 1916 in East Oxford, the oldest of five children; two boys and three girls.

"I was born at home," she said. "My father had been married before and didn't have any children, so he was quite pleased when I was born."

When Record was in grade school, her father bought the family's first car, a Model T Ford.

"We got around with horse and wagon all the time," she said. "My folks were farmers, and they carried the milk with horse and wagon down to the Oxford station. Even after we got a car, we still used horse and wagon quite a bit."

A great, great grandmother now, Record no longer knows exactly how many descendants she has.

"I used to keep a record of them, but I've lost track," she said, sounding a little apologetic.

This got a quick comment from Ripley.

"We should count them. It would be awesome if they added up to 96," Ripley said, laughing.

The idea of baby blankets to honor Record seems pleasing to Carol Welsh, who is the Perinatal Outreach Coordinator for the Family Birth Place at Stephens Memorial Hospital.

"It's wonderful," Welsh said. "First of all, that Leona has lived 96 years. And secondly, that the women have made 96 blankets to donate to area hospitals. I think that it is absolutely commendable and a great project.

"We're very grateful to be receiving some of those blankets for our Family Birthplace."