Mason Health Care Center resident Cassie Mae Haywood Shepherd has a lot to be thankful for. She marked her 100th birthday Friday afternoon with family and friends. Her family brought her white roses, her favorite, and cupcakes with pink frosting. They also made a poster where those who visited could write messages to her and surprised her with balloons. Dairy Queen, Warsaw, gave her a cake. She received birthday letters from Queen Elizabeth, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama and Congressman Marlin Stutzman congratulating her on her milestone. Haywood Shepherd cried tears of joy as her family and friends gave her hugs and wished her happy birthday. When asked what her secret to longevity is, she said, “You get to be 100 before you know it and I kept busy taking care of my kids, canning, cooking, quilting and gardening.” Haywood Shepherd’s oldest child, Robert Haywood, 78, said he was happy to celebrate his mother’s birthday. “I’m happy for her. She has been a real great mother,” Haywood said. “There are many families who aren’t able to be together today and I’m glad we were able to.” Cassie’s daughter, Fannie Widaman, said she is happy to celebrate her mother’s birthday with her. “Our mother is our queen. She has worn many hats to make her home a happy and healthy one. Now with mother in Mason’s it’s our turn to be with her each day of her life to make sure she is happy and healthy,” Widaman said. Haywood Shepherd was born Nov. 29, 1913, in Kentucky and went to school there. She was a dress maker. She made dresses and clothing for her family and neighbors. She married Willie Haywood at age 20. They had five boys and four girls. One son, Johnny Lee, died at age 10. They lived in Kentucky until 1954, and then moved to Indiana. The family lived on Garfield Street in Warsaw. Willie purchased a garage and operated Haywood Garage for 20 years. He worked on cars, especially Studebakers. Willie died in 1985 after 52 years of being married to Cassie. Cassie then married Alex Shepherd in 1992, meeting at The Little Dove Church. They had a home together south of Warsaw for 10 years where they gardened and quilted. In 2002, Alex passed away. For the next few years Cassie lived alone, still gardening and quilting. In 2009, Cassie became a resident at Mason Health Care, where she is in the Alzheimer’s unit. She has 21 grandchildren, 58 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren.
