Hilda Eubank of Gloucester turns 100 years old today, but she looks 30 years younger. The petite Walter Reed Convalescent and Rehabilitation Center resident clearly takes care of herself.

Born Hilda Pauline Cox in 1911 on a farm in Shackle-
fords, Eubank attributes her overall good health to the fact that she was an athlete as a girl, and her bright mind must surely have something to do with her long career as a bookkeeper for Morgan’s Drug Store.

Eubank was one of seven children who grew up on the farm, surrounded by chickens and cows and lots of friendly neighbors. There weren’t many telephones, but her father had a Model T Ford with window curtains that he bought in 1914, and radio brought the outside world in.

The two-room elementary school Eubank attended was only a mile from her house, so she and her friends walked there. Later, her high school career included membership in the athletic association and spots on the varsity girls’ basketball and cross co...