LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Letha DeFrance Maine Seeley Reader
upon the occasion of celebrating her 108th Birthday

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to
the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their past
contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and valuable
asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and
WHEREAS, Born on May 7, 1906, in Willet, New York, to Franklin L. and
Ella Maine, Mrs. Reader was one of four children; and
WHEREAS, She graduated from Cincinnatus High School in 1924, and then
the Central City Business Institute in Syracuse, New York; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her life, Mrs. Reader has resided in several towns
of Central New York, but the majority of those years have been in Cort-
land County; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Reader worked for the Yager Law Office in Cortland, New
York, and then operated a grocery and general store, Seeley's Store, in
Willet, during the 1930s with her first husband whom she married in
1927; together, they had two children, Eleanor J. and the late Ramon L.;
and
WHEREAS, Later, Mrs. Reader remarried to the late Asa Reader; and
WHEREAS, Remaining active throughout her years, Mrs. Reader has kept
her mind and hands busy by volunteering through her church and communi-
ty, doing recreational activities, making crafts, doing puzzles or play-
ing cards, dominoes, and bingo; she also enjoyed reading the newspaper
every evening or watching the news to stay current; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable woman has a personal creed of good living,
eating healthy, and exercising; in her eighties, she was still riding
her bicycle and doing some of her own home repairs, and attended many
New York State Fairs and continued to attend with fellow residents of
the Cortland Regional Nursing Center; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Mrs. Reader enjoyed sharing the joys of her own
childhood in the rural country with her grandchildren by joining them on
family camping trips, making homemade ice cream, taking them to parades
and fairs, berry picking, and bullhead fishing in ponds; and
WHEREAS, Most of all, Mrs. Reader loved being outdoors, gardening both
flowers and homegrown vegetables, and enjoyed sharing her plants and
produce with family, friends, and neighbors; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Reader has been a constant companion to family members,
and enjoyed traveling to visit friends and relatives; and
WHEREAS, Records of Mrs. Reader's past activities in the community
over the many years can be found in past issues of the CORTLAND
STANDARD; and
WHEREAS, Today, Mrs. Reader is the loving grandmother of three grand-
children, Diane M., Keith A., and Denise L., and has been further
blessed with seven great-grandchildren, Derek K., Brett A., Mariah A.,
Chad M., Kayla R., Kara J., and Kyle A., all of whom feel privileged to
be a part of her life and rejoice in her achievements; and
WHEREAS, This exceptional centenarian, with her zest for life, has
inspired and enhanced the lives of her family and friends; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished woman has experienced the incredible joys
and sorrows characteristic of and reserved for those with the stamina
and courage to savor a full life; and
WHEREAS, This beloved woman has enriched the lives of those around her
through her joyous and sincere love for others and through the quiescent
charm and wisdom which comes only from a fullness of years; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly recog-
nize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have witnessed

and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and awesome
achievements of this country during the last century, while themselves
contributing to the growth and excellence of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Letha DeFrance Maine Seeley Reader upon the occasion of her
108th Birthday; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Letha DeFrance Maine Seeley Reader.