Port Orchard woman still going strong following 108th birthday
Published 1:30 am Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Mary DeLaGrange of Port Orchard marked her 108th birthday July 1, surrounded by family and memories that span more than a century.
Born in 1917, DeLaGrange grew up in Spokane before moving to Port Orchard during World War II with her late husband, Robert DeLaGrange. Robert worked at the shipyard, while she built a career in medical records at the Naval Hospital, eventually serving as executive secretary to the commanding officer before retiring. Robert passed away in March 1991.
Her daughter, LaVonne Payton, describes her as a calm, kind person who has always taken life in stride.
“She doesn’t get (into) issues with anyone,” Payton said. “I’ve never heard her raise her voice. She’s always been very calm, very kind and giving. Whatever comes, she deals with it.”
DeLaGrange said she enjoys simple pleasures: music, potatoes — which she calls her favorite food — and watching traffic go by from her home on Bethel Avenue. She no longer gardens as she once did, but still loves animals. Recently, her daughter brought home kittens that now spend their time near her.
She doesn’t take any medication, Payton said, and has surprised even doctors with her resilience.
“She fell a couple weeks ago, and I had to call 911. When the responders wanted to take her vitals, she told them she was fine. Later, when she was a little sore, I asked if she wanted Tylenol, and she said no.”
In July, family members took DeLaGrange to Spokane to revisit her childhood home and schools. Four generations joined the trip, which gave her the chance to reconnect with places from her youth.
Over the years, DeLaGrange and her husband Robert enjoyed fishing, camping, gardening and being active in the local yacht club, Methodist church and community organizations. Payton recalls a story of her mother catching a 52-pound king salmon — the largest of the summer.
Though life has slowed down, DeLaGrange still offers advice for younger generations.
“Keep your nose clean,” she said. “Keep going.”
