Title	Mrs.
Last Name	Thompson
First Name	Bethia
Middle Name
Maiden Name	Weston
Nick Name	Aunt Bethiah
Place of Birth	Bremen, ME
Date of Birth	1858-04-18
Place of Death	Bristol, ME
Date of Death	1965-03-15
Publication	The Eastern Gazette 3-18-1965, pp.1&4
Obituary	MAINE'S OLDEST CITIZEN DIES AT 107 Mrs. Bethia Weston Thompson, a former Dexter resident and Maine's oldest citizen, died Monday at Sunny Acres Nursing Home in Bristol only a month before her 107th birthday. She was born in Bremen April 18, 1858, the daughter of Timothy and Mary Frances Weston. Left motherless at any early age, she took over the care of a brother and crippled sister and later worked as a hired girl in homes in the community. On Dec. 1, 1877, she was married to Frank C. Thompson of Bristol. For over 50 years she was an active member of the Round Pond Universalist Church and its Sewing Society of which she was president. After the death of her husband she spent several years with her daughter Lois in Dexter, but for the last seven years has been in the Bristol Nursing home living with Dr. and Mrs. Clyde Berry. She referred to Dr. Berry as her "Grandson Doctor". "Aunt Bethiah," as she was affectionately called by all who knew her, was one of those rare persons who, after living for a century, retained a marvelous memory, excellent physical faculties and, above all, a zest for living. Her friends will always remember her gaiety and humor even in her second century. Her most unforgettable experience came at the age of 13 when she was invited to ride on the first train, referred to as a "man-made monster", ever to run through New castle. Eighty-eight years later, on April 4, 1959, she boarded the last train ever to pass the depot at Newcastoe as passenger rail service ended. To few people have been granted the privilege of seeing so many scientific changes in a life time, and she enjoyed them all even to her appearances on live TV on the occasion of her second century birthdays when she was interviewed by newscaster Harry Marble. She was indeed one of Maine's grand old ladies. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Harry Blake, Dexter, and Mrs. Herbert Steer, Round Pond, six grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held this afternoon (Thursday) at the Strong Funeral Home in Damariscotta.