By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
(Photo/Ed Karvoski Jr.)
HUDSON – As the birthday party guest of honor, Nathalie Ahearn donned a tiara accessorized with a sash proclaiming “95 and fabulous.”
A recent family gathering took place outside the Hudson home of Ahearn’s son Jeff. Festivities were organized by him and his siblings Christine, Mark, Nelly and Steve to celebrate their mother and her milestone 95th birthday.
On the last day of a particularly rainy July, Nathalie expressed appreciation for ideal weather during her party.
“Look at this beautiful day,” she said. “It can’t get better than this.”
Four generations of party guests
The guest list spanned four generations, including Nathalie’s brother Paul Martel. The family had much catching up to do.
This family has grown within the five years since Nathalie’s 90th birthday, noted her son Mark.
“A lot of babies have come into the family in the last five years,” he explained. “We thought this would be a good milestone to get the family together.”
In addition to 11 grandchildren, Nathalie has 13 great-grandchildren ranging from newborn to age 10. Her youngest great-grandchild was born the day before the party. Most of them joined her as party guests.
Pandemic restrictions had previously prevented Nathalie from visits with her grandchildren.
“This is the first time that she has seen her grandkids in a while,” Mark added.
Though Nathalie’s birthday is actually Aug. 27, the best time for them to schedule the party around family members’ other commitments was July 31.
Active from school to retirement
Originally from Marlborough, Nathalie graduated in 1944 from the now-closed St. Michael’s Academy in Hudson. There, she served as class secretary.
She and her husband, John, got married in 1950. They moved to Hudson in 1958, at which point Nathalie and her family became active with St. Michael Parish.
All of her children attended the now-closed St. Michael School. Some of them went on to attend the now-closed Hudson Catholic High and others went to Hudson High School.
Nathalie is known for loving various games. She belonged to the Marlborough Duplicate Bridge Club and played games such as Scrabble at the Hudson Senior Center. Additionally, she played bingo when it was held decades ago at the Hudson clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest.
She retired after working many years at the now-closed Hudson National Bank.
Sharing multigenerational gratitude
Nathalie’s children are happy to reciprocate all the birthday parties that their mother planned when they were kids. More recently, they’re also thankful for her handmade gifts.
“My mother made all of us quilts and afghans,” Mark shared.
Likewise, Nathalie is grateful for the feast of foods that her family prepared for her party. The menu included hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, Ferjulian’s Farm corn, broccoli salad, watermelon salsa, jambalaya – and, of course, a large birthday cake.
“She loves to eat,” Mark said of their mother’s hearty appetite.
A highlight of the day for party guests of all ages was a visit from the Juniper Farms Ice Cream truck.
With appetites satisfied, the family took part in one of Nathalie’s favorite pastimes. They played bingo games with prizes for the winners.
What’s Nathalie’s secret for longevity?
“Just keep doing what you do every year,” she advised.
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