Centenarian

Maude Nickles

Spokane

Maude Crawford (Boring) Nickles celebrated her 100th birthday March 10. She was born in Hot Springs, Ark., on March 10, 1907. She has lived in Spokane since 1993.

Nickles met her first husband, Charlie Boring, through a friend. They were married in 1927. He died in 1976. She was married to her second husband, Herbert Nickles, for less than a year before he died.

Nickles has worked as a caretaker for the elderly. She says her most rewarding life achievement was receiving an award from then Gov. Bill Clinton for her care for the elderly when she was in her late 70s and early 80s.

When asked what has helped her live a long and healthy life, Nickles credits walking every day, keeping up her garden and growing her own vegetables. She says that she had a garden until about five years ago, when it became too difficult for her to get down on her knees.

Nickles says that her most memorable moment in her life was when she was 5 and her dad took her to the “race track” where they gave airplane rides and she saw her first airplane. She says she saved her money to ride in a plane, but her dad wouldn’t let her because he thought it was unsafe. The ride cost 50 cents.

Nickles has a daughter, Betty Lane of Spokane. She has 37 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Her son, Clarence Boring, is deceased.