CHESTERTOWN — As the United States marks its 250th birthday this Independence Day, Kent County resident Lillian McDanolds will celebrate a milestone of her own: turning 100 years old.
The former Worton resident was honored Friday at Chestertown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center by family, friends and local, state and federal officials, who recognized a century of service, sacrifice and resilience.
During World War II, McDanolds worked at the Pentagon typing top-secret military movement orders, including documents related to the first atomic bomb test. She later became a farmer’s wife, mother of four, banker and longtime Kent County resident.
Surrounded by photographs chronicling her life and a birthday cake, McDanolds accepted citations from President Donald Trump, Gov. Wes Moore and Kent County officials.
“We know your heart is filled with joy having experienced our country’s blessings,” a presidential citation read.
Representing Moore’s office, Michele Johnson, director of the Maryland 250 Commission, presented McDanolds with a Governor’s Citation, a Maryland tote bag and a copy of “Maryland Mosaic”, a collection of regional stories.
“On behalf of the citizens of this state, in recognition of your life’s extraordinary journey, your love of family and your wisdom, knowledge and success that you have achieved along the way, we are pleased to confer upon you this Governor’s Citation,” Johnson read.
Kent County also presented McDanolds with a citation from Director of Economic and Tourism Development Jamie Williams.
“Everything is so wonderful,” McDanolds said. “Thank you!”
McDanolds’ daughter, Diane Duke, said Johnson had been unable to identify anyone else in Maryland celebrating a 100th birthday on the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Born in Menen, Belgium, McDanolds immigrated with her family to Newton, New Jersey. After graduating from high school in 1943, she took the Civil Service examination and, in June 1944 — just days after D-Day — traveled alone to Washington to begin work at the Pentagon.
Not yet 18 years old, McDanolds joined the Army Service Forces’ Movements Division.
Duke said her mother was one of only a handful of young women entrusted with typing top-secret orders detailing troop and materiel movements throughout Europe and the Pacific.
“She knew where everything and everyone was going,” Duke said.
In July 1945, McDanolds typed evacuation orders connected to the Trinity Test, the first detonation of an atomic bomb in New Mexico.
Those evacuation orders ultimately were never used, but Duke said her mother was likely the only person in her office who knew the secret purpose behind them.
When the atomic bomb was later dropped on Japan, bringing World War II to an end, McDanolds said the secrecy surrounding the project remained absolute.
“It gives me chills thinking about it,” she said.
After the war, McDanolds typed orders bringing American troops and war brides home before returning to New Jersey in 1946.
Working in an agricultural extension office, she met farmer George McDanolds. The couple married, raised four children and eventually relocated their expanding dairy operation to Worton.
During the transition from New Jersey to Maryland, McDanolds remained behind with the children while her husband established the farm.
Duke recalled celebrating Christmas 1963 with a fully decorated home and a large family gathering.
“Nobody would have guessed we weren’t going to be there forever,” she said.
Once settled in Kent County, McDanolds balanced raising her family with a career at the Bank of Maryland in Chestertown. After her husband’s death in 1980, she continued working part time.
Moving to Lewes, Delaware for a period of time, McDanolds returned to Kent County in 2020 and later became a resident of Chestertown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Friday’s celebration reflected the friendships she has built over decades.
“We love you here!” fellow resident Jennifer Riggs told her.
Another resident, Clifton Eugene Walls, waited to have his photograph taken with McDanolds.
“She’s the best,” he said.
Duke said her mother’s generation viewed service as a duty.
“Mom always believed that living in this country is a gift,” she said. “It never occurred to her and the women of her generation not to contribute whatever and whenever they could. On the 250th anniversary of the country her generation helped save, our family greatly acknowledges what she has passed on.”
McDanolds, who proudly calls Kent County home after more than six decades, reflected on a life shaped by war, farming, family and community.
“This is hard to believe,” she said with a laugh. “It’s great. I would do it all over again … but not very soon.”