VERONA — With blaring sirens and flashing lights, members of New London Fire Department helped honor and celebrate the 101st birthday of Marion Poppleton on Friday.

Firefighters came by Poppleton’s residence with their rigs, and presented her with a special card and gift.

Poppleton has lived in Verona for at least 80 years. She has two sons, Dick and Jim, and one daughter, Sue Walker.

Poppleton also has two grandsons, Jeffrey and Sheila Poppleton, and Steve and Chrissy Poppleton, and one granddaughter, Joanne and Michael LaLonde. She was predeceased by one granddaughter, Maryanne Poppleton.

Family friends said Poppleton watched Rome Capitol Theatre being built.

“When she saw the article in the Rome Sentinel for its 95th anniversary, that was when she realized she was old,” quipped long-time family friend Tina Plumley.

Marion has always loved to crochet, making several christening gowns and afghans, not to mention hundreds of dish clothes and pan “scrubbies.” She has always been active, loved to walk, and still does if the weather allows.