Archie Grandma earns Guinness Book entry

by SHARON KIESEL

The Guinness Book of World Records has a new category and the newest and only entrant for that category is from Archie. The new entry is for the Oldest, First Time Grandmother. “They only make a new category if it is one that can be broken sometime in the future,” said Archie School Librarian, Billie Limpus. She is the one who gathered all the information and sent in the proper documentation.

The woman now recognized by the Guinness Record Book authorities is Eileen Stevens, now 88, of Archie. She just found out by mail this past Tuesday, February 16, that she is in the book. Billie said they were not assured as to if or when, the information would be included in a book. And if it is, it could be a year or longer before the book would be published. “I was kind of shocked,” Eileen laughed when she received the certificate. “I don’t know if I want this…or not! I showed it (the certificate) at quilting and they were all happy.” She added that the quilting sessions were where the idea for trying for the entry first started…when she first let everyone know that she was going to be a first time grandmother at age 85. That was three years ago.

Eileen shared the news that her son, Robert (Junior), age 60, and his Russian born wife, Vika, in her 40’s, were going to be parents. The baby, Sean, was born August 17, 2007. Now three, the toddler and his parents live in California. She also enjoys talking to her grandson on the phone. He enjoys it as well and often asks his parents to “Call Nana.”

Eileen is modest about her new found celebrity status and she is happy to be not only an entry in the world record book but, to have her own category. Most of all though, she is thrilled to be a grandmother. That’s the best award of all.