This great article about her birthday celebration describes at age 87 - Full of "life and animation", enjoying time with grandchildren (believe she had five - William Henry, age 26, Joseph Edward, age 23, Arthur Evans, age 10, Thomas Leon, age 7, and Donna May, age 3), still a dancer, and an exceptional traveler - to the world's fair, from Syracuse to San Francisco alone, to Montreal, and that all before 1900!" Sounds like she really lived life to it's fullest!
Mrs Catherine Shackford celebrates her 87th birthday. Mrs Catherine Shackford who lives at the home of her son, Joseph Shackford, No 215 West Beard avenue celebrated her eighty-seventh birthday today and in spite of the years which have passed over her head, she has more life and animation than many of the younger generation. In honor of the occasion a surprise was given her by her son and daughter in the shape of an old fashioned tea party to which had been bidden a number of their mother's old friends. The guests assembled early in the afternoon and at 5 o'clock a bountiful supper will be served, after which the hours will be passed in social enjoyment. Among the guests present are: Mrs Alfred Diehl, Mrs John Moore, Miss Hill, Mrs William Lawler, Mrs Thomas Emery, Mrs James Hunter, Mrs Lacy, Mrs O T Seymour, and Mrs McKeever.
Mrs Shackford is a remarkable women for one of her years. None of her faculties has become dimmed by time and she still loves to dance as well as when a girl. In fact a romp with her grandchildren is of almost daily occurrence and in the current events of the day she takes more than ordinary interest. She is a born traveler and is always ready to accompany her son at a moment's notice. She attended the World's fair and a short time ago made a long visit in San Francisco, taking the trip entirely by herself. This summer she went down the St Lawrence to Montreal and is anticipating accompanying her son on a business trip in the near future. Mrs Shackford was born in Boston in 1813. Her father was of English birth and on her mother's side of Welsh parentage. She is of a family who have lived to a very old age and unless some unforeseen illness should come upon her, Mrs Shackford will doubtless live to be enjoyed by her children and grandchildren for many years to come."
REFERENCES:
"Spry as a Girl," Evening Herald (Syracuse, New York), 23 October 1899; Fulton History (http:// : accessed 14 July 2013), http://fultonhistory.com.
1900 United States Federal Census, Onondaga County, New York, population schedule, Syracuse City, Ward 19, enumeration district (ED) Supervisors District No 12, Enumeration District No 161, B, Sheet Np 6, House No 210, Dwelling 121, Family 128, Joseph E Shackford head; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 July 2013).
Massachusetts, Massachusetts, Death Records, 1841-1915, , DEATHS REGISTERED in the City of Boston for the Year eightteen hundred and eight-five Catherine M Loughin mw Shackford, November 28; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed ); Massachusetts Vital Records, 1840–1911.
New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Massachusetts..