Dorothy Mastine presented with Gilford's Boston Post Cane

BOSCAWEN — At 99 years and three months, Dorothy Mastine has been identified as Gilford's oldest resident, and as such she was awarded the town's Boston Post Cane yesterday.

Mastine was presented with the cane at the Merrimack County Nursing home, where the three Gilford selectmen and the town administrator joined friends and family members in celebrating her status. Mastine is temporarily staying at the nursing home and has lived on Cherry Valley Road in Gilford since 1948, in a house built by her husband and their family members.

Asked about the ceremony and the cane, Mastine said, "I think that's beautiful. I never thought I'd live long enough to get a cane, that's a surprise."

Mastine was born in Wilmington, Mass. on April 11, 1911, and moved with her family to Alton when she was five. In her youth she also spent time living in Gilmanton Iron Works and Laconia. She worked for many years at Barberry Mills, a textile manufacturer, located in Lakeport.

It was also in Lakeport that she met her husband, Paul Mastine. She and Paul built and operated Paugus Bay Cabins on Weirs Boulevard, at the location that the Margate Resort now stands.

Mastine and Paul had three children, who have produced seven grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.

Sandi Haungs, one of Mastine's grandchildren, said her grandmother is "her rock," and she can be counted on as a good listener. Ginny McConnell, who traveled from Burke, Va. for the celebration, said her mother can best be described as, "loving."

Also attending the event was Peter Gautheir, who has lived across the street from Mastine since 1995. He said Mastine is an "independent Yankee" who has cared for herself since her husband passed away in 1963.

Jane Percy, another of Mastine's Cherry Valley neighbors, said, "Dorothy is an amazing woman – the history she has seen during her lifetime is amazing in itself." Although her family has traveled far and wide, Percy said "Gilford has always been home base."

As if she didn't have enough of her own grandchildren, Percy said "She's been 'Granny Dot' to a lot of people."

One of those adopted grandchildren has been Tristan MacDonald, who's nearly nine years old and lives in Meredith. He said Mastine is "a very good person, she's nice."

Selectman Gus Benavides said, "It's a great award to be giving out, we're really grateful that we're able to bless her and her family with this award." He said Mastine is "an esteemed member of our community."

CAPTION for DOT AND JIM in AA: Dorothy Mastine, Gilford's oldest resident, tries out the Boston Post Cane she had just been given by Selectman Jim Hayes. (Laconia Daily Sun photo/Adam Drapcho)

CAPTION for DOT AND PETER in AA: Dorothy Mastine, Gilford's oldest resident, was given the Boston Post Cane yesterday by the town's selectmen. She is shown here sharing a laugh with neighbor Peter Gauthier. (Laconia Daily Sun photo/Adam Drapcho)