YOUR COMMENTS

Some of your readers may be interested to know that Mrs Ray (née Arsenault) is also considered to be the oldest living Acadian. Although she will not be able to personally attend this reunion, she will be at the centre of the Arsenault family reunion at the 2009 World Acadian Congress, which will be held in the coming days in the Province of New Brunswick, Canada. She was also the subject of a recent article in the Telegraph Journal, Saint John, New Brunswick (URL
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/front/article/723519). Thanks for your article, and best wishes to Mrs Ray and her family!!!
- Jacques Boudreau, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada

Mrs Ray could be a twin to my great-aunt Laura(Arsenault) Dube.Aunt Laura was my grandfather's sister and they came down from Canada also. Their father's name was Uriel Arsenault,does anyone know if that name could be any of her missing brothers names. I'd be very curious to find out if we might be somehow related.
Best of luck,Mrs Ray
- Cheryl Thayer, Newton Jct NH

What a great story, and what an inspiration she is to everyone. With all of the violence that is going on in the world, it is so sweet to see a woman who is 114 years old. What an amazing person.
- SUSAN LACROSSE, SAlem nh

Thanks so much for this story.
- Mike, Auburn

thats a great story. what an amazing woman. its so nice to see a positive story in what seems to be a mostly negative world.
- Deanna C, raymond nh

What a beautiful woman! God Bless her...thanks UL for a great story!
- Suzi, Manchester,NH

What a fabulous story. I smiled all the way through & it brought back warm memories of my grandmother. We have an old tape recording of my great grandfather (who died when I was 13, he was 96). Its great to hear his voice, his poems and stories, long after he's been gone. Thanks UL! What a remarkablel woman she is!
- Paula Tibbetts, Vernon, CT

Such a nice story about this woman that has lived such a long life. She must have a purpose here. May she celebrate more birthdays. God Bless you Mrs. Ray.
- Bea, Wellington, Fl.

What a great story. We can learn so much from the elderly by just talking and listening. Everyone should consider visiting a nursing home, you might be surprised at what you learn! Happy Birthday Mrs. Ray and may you have many more.
- Corrine, Epsom, NH

i lost my mother at sixty three, and always wanted her to live a long life, so reading this article really made me smile happy birthday!
- jim, goffstown

I love seeing news that doesn't lead to vicious partisan attacks against the other side. This is a story that everyone can feel good about amidst everything that is going on in the world.

God bless you Mrs. Ray!
- Brian, Concord

God bless her. What an inspiration to survive through such a time. She has so many stories to tell. Some one should write a book on her life. It would be real interesting to see how she feels about the way things are today in comparison to her youth.
- ScottK, Salem

I had the pleasure of taking care of mary in the past at the home she resides in, and she is sharp as a tack...god bless her
- kristen chase, manchester

Thank you UL, for this warm, heartfelt article. Josephine's story has certainly made my day. Here's to wishing her many more Birthdays filled with family, friends, love and life! Bless her soul, she is truly an inspiration. Thanks again Union Leader.
- Leigh Bona, Manchester NH

What a wonderfully heartwarming story. Thank you UL.
- Catrina, Manchester

Not only should her family write down things about her life and thoughts of it but a professional should get on it as well. People that live this long have a lot to offer about weathering through a variety personal and societal ups and downs. These people are an inspiration on how to walk through life.
- Sandra O'Brien, Springfield

Her family needs to write down everything she says about her past. I failed to do so when my grandmother was still alive, and I am sorry to this day. What a great woman she must be.
- Scott Ingalls, Tilton