A very pleasant birthday ceremony was organized at the retirement home Le Domaine de la Source for the 100th birthday of Raymonde Chalier. Born in Marseille on June 23, 1924. A year full of events. Presidency of Gaston Doumergue at the head of Marseille. Paris Olympics, ashes of Jean-Jaurès at the Panthéon, first radio talk news broadcast from the Eiffel Tower, etc. Historical references allow us to measure the space-time that connects us to Raymonde. She spent her entire career at the SNCF, first at the Saint-Charles station where she sold tickets and passenger information, then she joined the railway workers’ provident fund.
She lived alone with Michèle, her only daughter, without grandchildren, losing some of her independence following a fall but retaining much of her lucidity, Raymonde joined the Le Domaine de la Source retirement home in 2021 where she quickly gained unanimous support around her.
Altruism reincarnated
“Raymonde is a ray of sunshine, she always has a smile, as soon as you spend a moment with her, she is always delighted. Both very positive and who thinks a lot of others before herself. Incredibly generous. She is very pleasant in every way“, underlines Matthieu, host. “She wasn’t athletic at all, she was passionate about opera, she raised me alone since she divorced when I was 3 years old, she always fought for me. She is an extraordinary person, my confidante who peacefully without any problems except from time to time a few trips with friends“, admits her daughter Michèle.
To honor him, a couple of singers performed old standards sung in chorus by some of the residents. After bouquets of flowers and the centenary medal offered by the Department, the establishment concocted an excellent birthday cake for Raymonde. Obviously surprised but happy to extend the party.
