By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
Elsie DeClercq hoped to receive 103 birthday cards for her 103rd birthday on Oct. 3, which she celebrated with family and friends at Allure of Geneseo, where she resides at 702 South Illinois St., Apt. 5 B, Geneseo, IL 61254. Her wish came true and exceeded the 103 number, as at last count, she had gotten 109 birthday card greetings.
Her Oct. 3 birth date was referred to as a “double golden” birthday as she was born on Oct. 3, 1922, turned three years old on Oct. 3, 1925 (10/3/1925), and on Oct. 3, she marked 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.
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 Church 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.
