Family and friends came together on a most beautiful day of May 7th to celebrate the 100th birthday of my dear Mother, Mary Owen Lyon Chatfield-Taylor. Celebrants brought flowering plants for the newly prepared bed running the length of the back porch, which will provide an explosion of color all summer and a reminder of the friends who shared in her celebration.

A longtime Loudoun County resident, celebrants came from book club, bridge group, Fauquier Loudoun Garden Club (a member for 67 years), Loudoun Hunt Pony Club (which she helped to start it in 1952), Loudoun Hospital Rummage sale (she received a 'golden apron' last year for over 50 years of service), St. Francis church, and the tiny village of Lincoln, where she has lived for the last 64 years.

Mummy worked at Middleburg real estate for nearly 40 years, and yes – if she sold you a house, you became her friend, as evidenced by former clients in attendance who bought a house from her in 1972. Having lived in Loudoun since she was a child, Mummy developed a passion for Virginia houses and history, with an instinctive understanding of the accompanying gardens, barns and outbuildings, and how they work together within the landscape.

The depth and breadth of her friendships were reflected clearly in the gathering – the people she knows, the intertwining of families, and her interest in people's lives. It makes, it seems, for a very rich life. The table arrangements were made from peonies from friends on Mt. Gilead, combined with 100 roses from cattleman Jason McIntosh (whose herd of Angus and newborn babies was visible in the distance), and wildflowers from the fields. Mummy's dress was from JMcLaughlin in Middleburg, where she was hosted by old friends including Mary Pat Guest and new friend Betty Lee, who hosted a celebratory shopping excursion with prosecco and petit fours. "Hello, Mary Elizabeth", Mummy said as she walked in, not having seen her in years.

As eldest son Wayne said, 'her great-grandchild and the Lincoln children collectively blew out the big 1-0-0 cake burning bright with sparkling candles as the old, very old, young and very young looked on, in a perfect afternoon and twilight', celebrating 100 years of hard work and friendships, of constantly learning, of loving and appreciating the Virginia countryside, and a life of and taking great pleasure in the lives of those around her.

Among those present were her 6 children, Kassie Kingsley, Adele Chatfield-Taylor, Wayne Chatfield-Taylor, Mary Owen Chatfield-Taylor, Moncure Chatfield-Taylor and Constance Chatfield-Taylor, 7 grandchildren – George Kingsley, Arch Kingsley, William Psillias, John Hardy, McEwen Hardy, Matthiessen Chatfield-Taylor, Adele Chatfield-Taylor, and one great-granddaughter – Taylor Jane Kingsley.

As twilight set in, the two Lincoln peacocks were heard in the nearby field, signaling their approach, and adding an extra splash of color for the birthday celebration.

Happy 100 Mummy!!!