By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
Elsie DeClercq
Friday, Oct. 3, is being referred to as a “double golden” birthday for Elsie DeClercq of Geneseo. She was born on Oct. 3, 1922, turned three years old on Oct. 3, 1925 (10/3/1925), and this Friday, Oct. 3, she will mark her 103rd birthday – 10/3/2025.
Elsie DeClercq went for her first motorcycle ride on her 100th birthday in 2022, and said she may want to try kayaking next year on her 104th birthday.
This year, for her 103rd celebration, she chose to enjoy a family gathering at Allure of Geneseo, where she resides at 702 South Illinois St., Apt. 5 B, Geneseo, IL, 61254, in an Independent Living apartment.
She said she hopes to receive “103 cards for my 103rd birthday.”
The motorcycle ride was a 100th birthday gift from her granddaughter, Julie Ghys-Williamson, who lives with her husband Ed, near Bloomington.
DeClercq moved to Allure in 2009 and keeps busy saying her prayers every morning and watching “Wheel of Fortune” in the evening. She also goes to the Bingo games held at Allure, and her granddaughter added, “She seems to always win.”
Last year, at the age of 102, she gave up her driver’s license and until that time, had been driving to church on Sundays at St. Anthony’s in Atkinson. Her daughter, Mary Ghys now takes her mother to Mass on Saturdays at St. Malachy Church in Geneseo.
When asked what she attributed her long life to, DeClercq said, “I worked hard with some hard times, but I trusted God to get me through.”
DeClercq was born in Cornwall Township to Theophil and Julia Cauwels and lived there until she married John DeClercq when she was 17 years old. The wedding was held at St. Anthony’s in Atkinson. The couple farmed together in Cornwall Township until retiring in 1982 when they moved to Hillcrest Drive in Geneseo. Mr. DeClercq died in 1995.
The couple had three daughters, Leona, who died shortly after birth; and Phyllis Henderson, who died in 2021. There is one living daughter, Mary (Dick) Ghys, Geneseo; six grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grand grandchildren.