RIPLEY - Lucille Kofoed Sheedy and Lee Sharie hosted a 102nd birthday party for centenarian Edna Kofoed, of Ripley, at her home on Halloween afternoon.
Immediate family members and a few close friends were present for the celebration. Chef Lucille Sheedy prepared the food for presentation to Mrs. Kofoed and guests. Sheedy was assisted by hostesses Lee Sharie - Mrs. Kofoed's long-time caregiver - and her granddaughters, Kayla and Courtney Potthoff.
The party was emceed by Lori Potthoff, who also provided the entertainment as a stand-up comedian.
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Edna Kofoed of Ripley celebrates her 102nd birthday at her home on Halloween afternoon. Born in Westfield in 1910, Mrs. Kofoed moved to Ripley at age 4. She taught at Ripley Central School for 31 years.
Submitted photo
Born in Westfield in 1910, Mrs. Kofoed moved to Ripley at age 4. Following her graduation from Ripley High School in 1929, Kofoed attended Fredonia Normal, where she earned a teaching degree in elementary education in 1932. She worked for New York State Sen. Hamilton at the Hamilton Mansion during that year.
Mrs. Kofoed started Ripley's first kindergarten class in the old Union School on Ross Street in the fall of 1943.
In 2010, Mrs. Kofoed's 100th birthday celebration at Meeder's Restaurant was attended by a raft of Ripley residents who were her former kindergarten students at Ripley Central School, where she taught for 31 years from 1942 through 1973. New York state Sen. Cathy Young was present and honored Mrs. Kofoed by reading her 100th birthday proclamations from Michelle Obama, New York State Congressman Brian Higgins, County Executive Greg Edwards, and Town of Ripley Supervisor Pete Ryan. Robyn Near Albright was guest speaker.
One of Mrs. Kofoed's preferred pastimes was mowing grass. She regularly cut her own 1-acre yard well into her late 80s. She mowed for the final time during the summer of 2010 at age 99.
Mrs. Kofoed was a member of the School Belles, formed in 1972. They were a group of retired Ripley Central School teachers residing in Ripley. They gave an annual scholarship to a graduating RCS senior who planned to make a career of teaching. School Belles raised funds for the Westfield Hospital on more than one occasion. Funds were also raised to assist the Ripley Medical Center, which later closed.
Miss Edna Reid joined Ripley's First Presbyterian Church in 1927 at the age of 17. She was a member of the choir and taught Sunday School. She is the oldest living member of the red brick, country church at 20 West Main St.