For Neva Pfouts of North Chili, reaching her 90th birthday would just be another busy day. To find her, one would have to look in many places. She might be exercising at the Fitness Center on Chili Avenue or taking part in activities at the Chili Senior Center with her circle of friends. Some cannot fathom how energetic, engaging, and how on top of things she is.
Her life is filled to the brim. At times she can be seen serving as a receptionist somewhere on the campus at Roberts Wesleyan. Or she can be found practicing with the Sanctuary Choir at Pearce Memorial where she has sung many solos over the years. You can find her at any concert at the Roberts Cultural Life Center. She was a long-standing member of the college-community orchestra board.
All of this could have come to a terrible end last fall. Neva was walking home from church one Sunday when a car traveling down Buffalo Road made contact with her small body. She was thrown over the hood as onlookers watched in horror. She lay motionless for a few moments before she opened her eyes. A short trip to the emergency room found that she had no broken bones, only bumps, bruises, aches and pains. A rehab stint brought her new friends. Life was getting back to normal.
Earlier this past summer her family was making plans to celebrate her 90th birthday. Sadly, one person would not be part of the planning – her beloved husband, Neil, who died last year. Neva’s niece, Janet, and her husband, Ron Follansbee, contacted family members, daughter Karen Maxell from Illinois and Neva’s only surviving sibling, her sister Martha Smeltzer in Pennsylvania. Neva Baker Pfouts was born in New Brighton, a small and picturesque town in southwestern Pennsylvania, the daughter of Morrison and Gertrude Baxter. Her family was one of deep faith and an abundance of musical talent. They could gather around the piano at home and sing all the parts to Handel’s “Messiah.”
Janet and Ron began to develop a guest list to include her grandson, nieces and nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews as well as many friends, old and new. They selected Parmerter Hall at Pearce Memorial because it had a stage and a piano for the festivities. Though her actual birthday was December 8, it was necessary to choose another date which also helped to keep the surprise, not easy for one as sharp as she is.
Earlier in the day of the party, the first surprise came at the beauty salon where Neva was getting a “do” when her daughter, Karen, entered. She learned that the family would be having dinner at the Johnson House. Following the meal it was casually suggested that they find a piano at the church and have some old fashion singing as they used to do. Secretly, someone phoned the group of 160 waiting guests to get ready. Pastor Wally Fleming signaled the group and the final surprise came when they shouted “Happy Birthday.”
A full program was planned which included tributes, remembrances, a funny skit, and special music from many groups. At one point, Neva was encouraged to join them, which she did without hesitation. She was known for having perfect pitch and an excellent memory for songs. As the celebration concluded, people were still paying tribute to a lady whose 90 years were well-filled, well-rounded and an inspiration to all within her reach.
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