Surrounded by her friends and family, Phyllis Prince celebrated her 100th birthday on Monday.
Prince moved to the North Shore from Rhode Island when she was young to be closer to family. She lived in Peabody until she graduated from Veterans Memorial High School and was then off to the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, earning a degree in 1947 that kickstarted her 50-year career as a pharmacist; she managed and worked at several Eaton Apothecary locations.
She said she was inspired to become a pharmacist after one of her high school teachers shared that his sister was one. Prince’s father was also a chemist, so studying science runs in the family.
“I loved every minute of it. I certainly did. I enjoyed every minute of being a pharmacist,” Prince said. “I would not have changed it for anything. I had a wonderful time all through the years.”
After meeting and marrying her husband, who passed at 41, Prince moved to Marblehead. There, she raised her three children: Bonnie Hallinan, Craig Prince, and Christine Prince.
She garnered a reputation within the Marblehead community as being a kind resource, helping many understand the side effects and other prescription information in easily understandable ways.
“I was there for them. Any questions they had, I would help them. I would explain their medications to them when they got a prescription… I always felt very comfortable helping them (and) knowing that I’ve helped them,” she said.
She has since moved back to Peabody and celebrated her birthday at Alliance Health at Rosewood. She joked that she didn’t have anything planned for her 100th, but many others had surprises in store.
Prince’s morning kicked off with her exercise class singing “Happy Birthday” to her and presenting her with a gift. She added that many people were coming in and out of her room to visit her on Monday to wish her a happy birthday, and her kids brought her a tiara and a sash to mark the occasion.
Additionally, Rosewood had planned a surprise birthday party for Prince fit with banners, balloons, and birthday cake. Prince was also given a certificate from Mayor Ted Bettencourt.
It read, “On behalf of the City of Peabody, on the occasion of the celebration of your 100th birthday, I join your friends and loving family in wishing you the very best of health, happiness, and good fortune in the future. May your birthday bring you as much happiness as you have given to everyone else who knows you!”
“It just humbles me to be getting all this attention,” Prince said. “It’s a joyful day for me to be here, and I’m just so grateful for everything that’s been happening.”
