Near century-old classmates reunite for 75th class reunion

Near century-old classmates reunite for 75th class reunion
Published: Nov. 21, 2014 at 11:58 PM EST|Updated: Nov. 22, 2014 at 12:03 AM EST
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WEST ASHLEY SC (WCSC) - The year was 1939.

Some might even call it, the good old days.

It's a time when a gallon of gas was 10 cents.

A loaf of bread, only 8 cents.

Lowcountry duo Marilla Powell, 97, and Mary Henry Mayo, 96, both know the time well.

The two earned their nursing degree from St. Francis Xavier Nursing School, back when St. Francis had its own in-house nursing school.

The program began in 1900, and lasted more than 70 years.

"We did not have orderlies, we did not have cleaning crews, we did everything," Powell recalled.

She and Mayo are the only known living members of the Class of 1939.

Friday, the two chose to celebrate together, over lunch, amongst family and friends at St. Francis Hospital in West Ashley.

Their class photo currently hangs on the hospital wall.

"We worked hard, but we had a good time," Mayo said.

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