They wanted 100 cards for his 100th birthday. They got 500. What a gift.

WEYMOUTH − Karen Johnston's energetic campaign to have 100 or more birthday cards sent to longtime volunteer Bill Begley on his 100th birthday surpassed expectations.

Begley, now a resident of the Dwyer Home in Weymouth, received 546 cards for his April 16 birthday thanks to the hard work and generosity of Johnston, who is director of Weymouth Elder Services; the senior center staff; and volunteers of all ages.

Weymouth really knows how to honor its shining lights. On his birthday, Begley received the key to the town from Mayor Robert Hedlund. Citations were presented from state officials, town councilors and state legislators. Veteran affairs officer George Pontes gave Begley a USS Bunker Hill hat − the ship Begley sailed on during World War II.

Johnston announced that the gymnasium at the Whipple Senior Center has been named the William J. Begley Room in gratitude for his 30 years of service. Begley was a part of many of the fun activities held there.

His family and friends held two celebrations: One on his birthday that included family, town and state officials, and another two days later, when a van full of his friends from the senior center dropped by.

"He was so happy to see us. We wore party hats and sang to him and enjoyed some cupcakes," Muriel Savoy Moloney, 92, said.

Cards came from as far away Hawaii and Seattle. Weymouth schoolchildren sent stacks of greetings. The Marshfield Senior Center contributed 111 cards from its fun-loving patrons.

How uplifting to see how people respond to a request to make someone's special day even more so.

Granddaughters use social media to ease Adele's final weeks

Adele Dombrowski, of Abington, was glowing at her 100th birthday party last September at the Abington Senior Center. Two of her granddaughters, Kathy Bradley from Missouri and Michelle Tietjen from New Mexico, flew into town for the party they had arranged.

It was exciting to meet Adele so happy and engaged after a century of living.

I was looking forward to seeing Adele next fall at age 101, but Bradley contacted me with the sad news that Adele passed away March 20. The newspaper photographs, story and videos from her party "have brought us many good memories and a chance to remember her happiness," Bradley said.

Adele became ill in January and moved into an Abington nursing home, where she was in hospice care for almost three months.

Everyone made the most of her remaining time.

Bradley joked with Adele "that God gave her an upgraded body for her time here on Earth. Her mind was sharp until the end, and even though she willed herself to pass away, her body was still working strong. Adele always said that God has his plan for us and he was just trying to find the right place in Heaven for her.

"You think that 100 years is a long time, but when it arrives, it doesn't seem like long enough. She will be missed."

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During Adele's final weeks, her family was able to see and hear her from a distance in ways the past did not offer.

"The nurses at Colony Center for Health & Rehabilitation in Abington and the hospice nurse and caseworker at Beacon Hospice in Plymouth were all so great with using their personal smartphones to connect our family with Adele," Bradley said. "They offered many times to FaceTime us with Adele so that she could hear our voice and we could see her smile. It is amazing how technology is keeping families connected and helping caretakers brighten the spirits of their patients."

The hairdresser and the manicurist also used FaceTime when they were with Adele to reach her family. Bradley said the best "technology tool" of all was how they could provide "almost instant gratification of Adele's wishes," even though they weren't there.

"Nana would mention that she wanted batteries, or a new nightgown, and we could jump online, order and have one delivered to her at the nursing home next day," Bradley said. "The nurses would then text a picture of how happy she was to receive a package."

Milton senior walkers are getting faster with time

MILTON − The local walking group started last fall by very active volunteer Loraine Sumner at the Milton Senior Center has been having a great time, and there are some strong walkers in it.

Two Saturdays ago, 14 people showed up for the 4-mile walk around Ponkapoag Pond in Canton. We kept up the brisk pace set by Loraine, quite remarkable for someone age 86.

A pioneer in girls and women's sports, Loraine is a former physical education teacher, coach and official. She is on a mission to encourage more seniors to take up walking and hiking.

"Whatever you can do, keep doing it" is her motto. "Just move, move, move, keep that blood pumping."

For more information or to sign up for the walking group, call the Milton Senior Center at 617-898-4893.

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Lace up! The Quincy Senior Olympics begin May 8

QUINCY − Loraine Sumner reminded everyone that the 39th Annual Quincy Senior Olympics, a very popular series of competitions with a proud history, start on May 8 this year and run through May 26.

The first two events are the men's and women's 1-mile walks from 6 to 6:40 p.m. Monday, May 8, at The Kennedy Center, 440 East Squantum St.

The competitions are open to active adults ages 55 and older.

This year, the enterprising Duxbury Senior Center has recruited a group to participate. Director Joanne Moore and her staff at the senior center have held Olympic team dinners and training sessions to prepare. Will records be broken?

You can find the schedule and more information on the Quincy Recreation Department website.

Preparing to say goodbye to a Quincy 'community treasure'

A community of caring makes all the difference for Stevie Abbot, the 71-year-old man who has Down syndrome and lives in a group home in Quincy, as reported here last September.

Lynne Rose, who is his legal guardian and strongest advocate, reports: "My buddy Stevie Abbot has been very ill and has been in various hospitals and rehabs since the beginning of February. This week he will move from Royal Braintree Rehab back home to begin hospice. I'm so glad you did the story on him when you did, so the community could see what a treasure he is."

It was a privilege to meet Stevie and see him interact with his loving church family. Cards may be sent to Stevie Abbot at 129 Winthrop Ave., Quincy, MA 02170.

Reach Sue Scheible at sscheible@patriotledger.com.

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This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Weymouth-ma-dwyer-home-begley-gets-500-100th-birthday