It was a wondrous afternoon for two very charming Franklin Court Assisted Living centenarians, who celebrated their historic birthdays together in front of many friends and relatives last Wednesday.

There were smiles everywhere as Irma Conti Letendre and Dorothy Centerini Russo celebrated their 102nd and 100th birthdays, respectively. Also on hand was Paula A. Bradley, senior field representative from Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse’s office, who presented each lady a certificate of special congressional recognition.

Born in Fall River, Mass., Irma Letendre was beaming throughout her birthday celebration. “I feel wonderful,” she said. “I never thought I’d live to be this old. This is really something.” Irma has lived at the Franklin Court Assisted Living facility since 2011.

Irma was born to an Italian immigrant mother and a 2nd generation Italian father. She was the oldest of 4 children. She attended school in Fall River, and was a Durfee student when she left school to go to work to help the family during the depressed 1930’s. Her favorite job during this period was as a clerk at Corrigan’s Drug Store at Fall River's Globe corners.

In 1944, she married Paul E. Letendre, who was from a noted French family in the city. Paul was still in the service during that time, so they were married where he was stationed near a military base in Kentucky. She still jokes that her in-laws always introduced her as “not French but very nice.”

The first of her seven children, Jacqueline, was born in Oct of 1946. Two more girls and three boys were added by 1957. In 1963 she had her 7th and last child, a son.

“She started work on a high-school equivalency, and then started on a long trek to get her B.A.,” said her son, Paul Letendre. “She also went to work part time working for Luzier’s cosmetics. After getting her driver’s license and the first of several Cadillacs, she became the area manager for that company. Often during this time, Irma also oversaw many of the area’s annual beauty pageants.”

Shortly after receiving her degree, the now defunct Vernon Court Junior College in Newport offered Irma a job teaching home economics, and a cherished class on “grace and poise.” There she oversaw several “fashion shows” at some of the Newport Mansions. These were her glory years.

In 1981, she and husband Paul retired from their career jobs and went to do some seasonal work at Florida’s Hillsboro Club. They loved the work and camaraderie there; they stayed for 20 years. In the offseason they would spend time at a family home in the Bradenton, Fla. area, and summers in Portsmouth at a family summer home. They continued to winter in Florida until 2009.

In 2011, Irma’s husband Paul passed away. He was a few weeks short of being 95 years old. Not long after that, Irma asked a son to take her to view an assisted living facility, Franklin Court Assisted Living in Bristol. “I’ve heard good things about it,” she said.

One short visit and she was sold. You can ask her any time, she’ll tell you; “Best decision I’ve ever made.”

Irma turned 102 on April 5th and is planning another big party for her 105th.

Dorothy Russo has lived in Bristol her entire life except for a short time when her parents and brothers moved to New York for a few years. A native Bristolian, she was born on Jan. 30, 1925 and never moved from her home of 82 years after it was purchased by her father. Her house was right down the block on Franklin Street. She graduated from Colt Memorial High School and immediately went to work for the Navy in Newport where she worked until she retired. She worked on one of the first computer systems at the naval base and was given commendations for her work. She was one of the first women to hold such a position.

Dorothy was married briefly to Frank Russo; other family members lived to be 99 and 105 years of age.

“I really feel great,” said Dorothy, who originally lived on Franklin Street and came to Franklin Court in February. “This is really an exciting day for me.”

“Our Centenarians, Irma and Dorothy, are truly extraordinary individuals who are deeply cherished by both our staff and residents,” said Angela Cabral, Franklin Court Assisted Living Administrator. “They've earned immense respect and admiration; not only for their wonderful lives but also for the incredible stories they have shared of the many historical events they've witnessed. They are truly amazing women and I am in complete awe of them! I know I speak for all that we feel incredibly fortunate and blessed to have them as magnificent part of our Franklin Court Assisted Living family.”