Isabel Taylor, Windham’s eldest resident, was almost speechless at her home last week when she had a special visit from the town clerk and a few close family members.

That’s because Taylor, who turned 101 in July, was presented with the Boston Post Cane, which is traditionally given to the town’s oldest resident. She was also handed a paper certificate and wooden cane holder, made by a local woodworker, as part of the celebration.

“I hope you hold it for many, many years,” Linda Morrell, town clerk, told Taylor.

“Well, not too many,” Taylor said, smiling.

Clista Loring, the previous cane bearer, passed away two months ago at the age of 107, according to Morrell.

Taylor was born in Mexico, Maine, on July 14, 1914, but has lived in Windham since 1951. She graduated from Stephens High School in Rumford, as well as from the State Normal School in Farmington and the University of Maine at Orono. In 1935 she got married and began her teaching career in a two-room schoolhouse in Roxbury, according to a short biography of Taylor provided by family members.

Taylor taught for 24 years in Windham, including at the Arlington and New Manchester schools, according to her son, John Taylor, Jr., who was at her home on Taylor Lane last Friday, along with her daughter-in-law Carol Taylor, who lives in Windham, and her daughter Alberta Peavey and son-in-law Brian Peavey, Sr., who live in Massachusetts. Taylor has two other daughters, Elaine Libby and Barbara Taylor who live out of state and could not attend last week’s celebration.

Taylor retired from teaching in 1975. Two years ago, during a 40th school reunion at Manchester School, Taylor – who taught third grade there in 1973 – was presented with a “golden ruler,” moments after being recognized by other former teachers as a mentor and inspiration to others.

In July 2014, Taylor, who is considered a private person, didn’t want presents for her 100th birthday. Instead, her family decided to collect money to purchase children’s books to donate to the Windham Public Library in her honor to show her dedication to education.

“Reading is extremely important to her,” said Alberta Peavey. “Teaching was the love of her life.”

Taylor is a longtime member of the Cross Roads Garden Club and the Windham Historical Society, and, according to her son John Taylor, she is “a really good mother.”

“She kept us all in line,” he said.

According to the family, holidays are a special time for Taylor since she gets to spend time with her six grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

When asked by the Lakes Region Weekly about her reaction to getting the cane, Taylor said, giggling, “I have no idea what to say.”

“She’s not one that likes the limelight,” John Taylor said.

And what’s Taylor’s secret to living a long life?

“I’ve just been lucky, that’s all,” she said.

In 1906 the Boston Post newspaper distributed 431 canes made of African ebony wood with 14-carat gold heads to New England towns to present to their oldest living citizens. Though the newspaper faded away in the 1950s, the publicity stunt continues on.

While most towns have lost their original canes, Windham’s, which is mahogany with a silver handgrip, is displayed in an enclosed glass case at the Town Hall, said Morrell.

The Boston Post Cane has been presented to the Windham’s oldest living resident since the tradition began in 1909, Morrell said. But since 1999, for fear that the original cane might be misplaced, the town has honored residents with a replica of the cane made by Windham Millwork.

Isabel Taylor, 101, is Windham’s oldest resident. She was awarded with the Boston Post Cane last week.Isabel Taylor, middle, poses with her son, John Taylor, Jr., left, and daughter Alberta Peavey at her home last Friday after receiving the Boston Post Cane.