Palmer 100-year-old surprised with legislative citation

PALMER — A pivotal Palmer person, Pat Lawton got a pleasant surprise when she was getting her hair cut at the B Bella Hair Studio Wednesday afternoon.

Family, friends and Rep. Delena Johnson strolled in to cut another cake for her 100th birthday, hand her a legislative citation, honoring her many decades supporting her community.

“She held me when I was a baby,” B Bella Hair Studio owner Betty Pierce said.

This was supposed to be surprise but at the last second, Pierce got real close with Lawton and whispered what was going to happen and to, “act surprised.” The two practiced, Lawton gaping her mouth and the two laughed. Seemingly giddy from the excitement, Lawton then pulled her leg over her head, showing off a time-tested ability she acquired as an acrobatic.

“Pat arrived in Palmer on a frigid and snowless day in 1947 and has been proud to be called an Alaskan ever since. Pat worked tremendously hard at everything she endeavored,” Johnson said as she read the citation out loud.

After the last snips and while Lawton was still in her salon chair, Johnson presented Lawton with a framed award on behalf of the 30th Alaska State Legislature. Lawton acted the part and Johnson apologized for not being able to make her actual birthday.

Lawton ventured to the Last Frontier when she 29 years old with her husband Lloyd and their young children. She quickly burrowed her way into the day-to-day lives of many, according to various sources.

“It comes as no surprise that Pat Lawton is not only a precious gift to her family but a living treasure to the community of Palmer and to all Alaskans," Johnson said, continuing to read from the citation.

Don Benson, born in 1951, has know Lawton all of his life, and his wife Sharon has known her for about 40 years. When asked to describe Lawton, Don said, “busy.” He got familiar with the Lawton’s family through her middle son when they were in school.

“I don’t think she missed any of the games in high school,” Don mused.

Lawton turned 100 years old on Feb. 1. Several people there asked her what the secret to long and happy life was. Don said credited much of it to her constant state of happiness and her expansive friend list (not the one on Facebook).

“She’s always happy,” Don said.

Sharon said that Lawton makes the “best rhubarb pie.”

Lawton’s recipes and life story are chronicled in literature and apparently in many minds across the Mat-Su Valley, particularly her home sweet home, Palmer.

“Her secret to a long life is to flirt with a lot of men,” Sharon laughed as Pierce sliced a chocolate cake that celebrated yet another celebration for making it a century.

Aside from almost two decades as a secretary for at Matanuska Susitna Association, Lawton’s legacy seems to ring loud from her various works in community groups and organizations, wearing many hats over the years. Everyone at the studio said she was known to be every busy, every jovial and always in the company of good friends.

“You’ve got lots of friends!” Johnson said.

Lawton said that she hasn’t had a mother since she was 12 years old so she made it a point to try and be “friends with everyone.”

“I’ve always had lots of friends,” Lawton said. “I’ve got hundreds now.”

Lawton also worked on the historic Eklutna Tunnel project and she recalled her boss labeling her a “walking chamber of commerce” because she was always “selling Alaska to people.” She retired in 1979.

“I used to be a do-er, now I’ll let everyone do it for me a little bit,” Lawton said with a wink.

Contact Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at Jacob.mann@frontiersman.com.