By: Katherine Massopust and Carolyn Maxwell
PERTH AMBOY – Mary Gordon stands proud in her apartment in Perth Amboy. She is 103 years young.
Mary Gordon *Photo by Katherine Massopust
Mary Gordon explained, “I was born in 1918 in Halifax County, Virginia. My father, (Leonard Pringle) was a farmer. That’s how I know how to pick vegetables. He grew corn, wheat, rye, oats, white potatoes, red potatoes, collard greens – everything! He used to grow spinach. I never liked spinach then, but I like it now. I used to pickle and can fruits when I was young. I didn’t like them, but my boys did. I used to make preserves. My mother, (Nannie Pringle) could cook everything. Nobody had refrigerators. We only had iceboxes. My father was very smart. He used to come to our school and help teach. He loved to read. He would read anything as long as it was in English. He said, “Reading is everything.” We would bring books home from school. He would read them in 3 days. My father read everything. He emphasized reading and learning. He wanted to be a doctor. Unfortunately, there wasn’t that opportunity for a black man back then. My father said, “Kids, I want you to get an education. We can’t afford college, but I want you to learn.” My sister, Louise was able to go to Virginia College for 2 years. My dad gave everything a name. My mom was the first child born in her family and I was the first grandchild born. Both my parents died when they were in their eighties. This is the first time I’m telling my life history. I always trusted God when times were not easy.”
Mary continued, “I came to Perth Amboy when I was 21 years old. I was a nurse’s aide and home health aide. My youngest patient was 3 years old. Some patients I would clean, wash, and feed – even some men patients. God gave me my strength. I was born to be a caretaker. It was God’s will. I do mostly everything alone at even at age of 103, I still have a lot of energy thanks to God. I was able to jump a lot of hurdles.”
“I raised 3 kids by myself – 3 boys. All my sons were born in a 4-year period: 1943, 1944, and 1946. They had a lot of energy. When kids have to do something, they run from job to job. I made them do their job right. I told them to do the dishes. They did it 5 times until it was done right. It’s important to teach them to make a living. All 3 did. My oldest son, Ronald worked on the Parkway. My middle son, William, “Billy” we call him, was a train conductor. My youngest son, Edward took music lessons. He went to college and decided to be a musician. His stage name is La Roger. He started writing music. He originally wanted to go to the service, but when he was 3, he fractured his leg. He had metal in his leg so they wouldn’t take him. All of my sons can take care of themselves. I take care of me.”
Mary spoke of her husband who went to his job, kissed her, then said, “I’ll be back if it ain’t too late.” He left when Ronnie was 7 years old and didn’t come back home until the kids were grown and had families of their own. He came back when my middle son, Billy’s son was 5 years old. He came back and wanted to live here with Billy. I let him do it. God has blessed me to do what needs to be done.”
“I was never a vindictive person. I kill them with kindness. My oldest son traveled all over the world. I love to cook, and I make very good cabbage. I used to bake food for the church. I like good food – no junk food. I eat 5-6 vegetables a day. I’m a good cook. I can make anything. For breakfast, I eat fruit, cereal, toast. I cook what I eat. For lunch, I have chicken, pork chops, roast, ground beef, ribs…”
Mary Gordon used to belong to the church choir. “I was in many organizations. I always end up being the treasurer of everything. I was a member of the NAACP. I taught Sunday School at the Second Baptist Church on Broad Street, which became the Cathedral International on Madison Avenue. I was doing what God would have me do. I always try to do the right thing. You can’t abuse your body and expect to live a long life. I used to take care of a lot of people. I see what needs to be done and I do it. I taught Sunday School and the kids loved me. When I took care of people, most of them didn’t want me to leave because when I cared for them, I made them my top priority. At the Juneteenth Celebration, people came up to me and remembered how I took care of them. I once made food for a family whose mom was sick. They told me what I did was a blessing. My mom only went to the fifth grade but was very smart and sewed and cooked a lot. We raised our own chickens. We had a pet goat, a mule, and a horse that we would ride. It’s sad to say, but sometimes we don’t want to support one another. If you can’t follow God, then don’t ask him for anything. I have no family that still lives in Perth Amboy, but I have good friends who treat me like family and always make certain I have the necessary supplies on hand. I’ve helped other people raise their kids. Mary concluded, “I trust God all my life. I treat people how I want to be treated regardless how they treat me. We are all God’s children.”
Special thank you to Anna Daily for arranging the meeting)
