Golden Rule Secret to Longevity
Daisy Morris, 100, in her room at Mt. Macrina Manor, says the secret to a long and happy life is to try to get along with everyone.
A book of blueprints and homework that Daisy Morris, 100, used in WWII when she worked as a ship fitter is pictured.
Daisy Morris, 100, in her room at Mt. Macrina Manor, shows the 1942 manual she used as a ship fitter in World War II.
At Mt. Macrina Manor in Uniontown, there blooms a sweet flower named Daisy Morris.
Just like her name suggests, Morris brings a sunniness to the room.
Surrounded by bouquets of spring flowers and photos of family members lovingly placed around her room, Morris is seated in an easy chair as she reflects upon 100 years of her life.
She was born to parents Simon and Florence Durst of Jennings, Maryland, on April 9, 1915.
Since age 11, Morris has been a member of America’s workforce starting with babysitting a neighbor’s child.
It was while she was working at a restaurant that she met her husband.
“I was working in Pennsylvania in a restaurant on (Route) 40. I met a gentleman named Neil Morris,” she said. “He played in a trio band. He played the violin.”
After three months of courtship, the couple was married Dec. 22, 1933, at the United Methodist Church in Jennings.
After the wedding, the couple moved to Neil’s family farm on 67 acres of land between Farmington and Ohiopyle.
The couple raised two children, Richard “Dick” Morris and Elizabeth Ann (Conn) McCurdy, who are both deceased.
In 1942, the family relocated to Aliquippa in Beaver County where Morris aided the World War II effort in a unique capacity.
“I was the first woman ship fitter. We built LSTs (Landing Ship, Tank) for the war,” said Morris.
These types of ships would open in the front bow and allow soldiers, supplies and tanks that were stored in the belly the ability to roll onto beaches.
These types of vessels were used in the Invasion of Normandy.
“That is how we won the war,” said Morris smiling.
Upon remembering her time as a ship fitter, Morris began to look for something.
Her hands covered in age sifted through birthday cards, letters and newspaper clippings. Her sparkling blue eyes darted back and forth, searching for something. She finally found what she was looking for and pulled out an old spiral-bound notebook.
Inside the book are various notes and exercises that Morris had to complete in order to prepare to become a ship fitter.
“I had to go to school to learn how to do that,” she said, gesturing toward the notebook. “You had to do a lot of measuring and (it required) precision.”
Because of rheumatism in her legs, Morris had to quit the job after about a year.
In 1950, the couple bought a house in Uniontown, and Morris began working in a restaurant in downtown Uniontown.
“I worked for Hagan’s Sandwich Shop. Just around the corner there was a dry cleaning shop, Peter Pan,” she recalled. “I got to know the girls, and they said, ‘Why don’t you work here?'”
Morris left Hagan’s and began working at the dry cleaners and was quickly promoted to supervisor of 35 stores located throughout southwestern Pennsylvania.
“I drove about 800 miles a week,” she said. “I had a lot of nice girls that worked for me, and the ones that are still alive send me Christmas cards. I never ask people to do anything I wouldn’t do. I always jumped in and helped them (her employees) out.”
After working many years with Peter Pan, the company closed.
“When Peter Pan went out of business, I thought I was going to go on unemployment and stay home for a while and relax,” said Morris.
However, a chance meeting at a grocery store lead to Morris unexpectedly rejoining the workforce.
Morris ran into the daughter of David Radman, the owner of Morris’ Men’s Clothier Store in Uniontown, who said her father was looking for Morris.
Upon her visit to see Radman, Morris was offered a job at the store right on the spot.
“‘I want you to come work for me,’ (said Radman). I said, ‘I never worked in a men’s clothing store,’ and he said, ‘You worked with the public didn’t you?'” said Morris. “I worked there for 30 years.”
The job turned out to be one of Morris’ favorites, and a place where she learned some valuable sales techniques.
“I learned that when you want to sell a man a suit, you sell the wife first,” she said laughing.
Through these happy times, Morris did experience some sadness.
It was during her time working at the men’s clothing store that she lost both her husband and her mother.
Because she does not have any siblings, and her children have passed away, Morris relies on her granddaughter-in-law, Renee Conn of Liberty Borough.
“My granddaughter-in-law cares for me. I was just a loner,” said Morris with a hint of sadness behind her voice.
On March 8, Morris was definitely not alone when she was surrounded by family and friends gathered to celebrate her birthday in the recreation room at Mt. Macrina Manor.
There was even a special guest on hand for the festivities: Morris’ 7-year-old pen pal.
“James is his name. He wrote to me, and I wrote him a letter back and told him I wished he could be here (for the birthday party),” she said.
James did attend the party and so did many of Morris’ loved ones.
“They said it was the best and biggest party they have had,” she said, smiling with her eyes lighting up.
One of the factors that could have contributed to the large attendance at Morris’ party is her philosophy for life.
“The only thing I can say that is important is to do unto others as they do unto you,” she said.