Surrounded by friends and members of her family, Elsie Brooks (seated in front) celebrates her 102nd birthday.

On June 17, more than 100 family, friends, and guests of the Eastern Star Home in Warminster celebrated the 102nd birthday of Elsie M. Brooks, Past Matron of Covenant Chapter No. 199, O.E.S.

Mrs. Brooks was born in 1896 in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, the fourth of seven children to Charles and Alice Townsend. On June 27, 1917, Elsie Townsend married Frank Brooks and they were married for 67 years until Frank's death in 1985.

Elsie became a member of the O.E.S. on Nov. 9, 1923 and was Matron in 1945 and 46. Her husband Frank was a member of St. Alban-Swain Lodge No. 529, Philadelphia.