Toledo, Ohio, was buzzing with excitement as two vibrant and beautiful twins celebrated their 102nd birthday together!
Born in 1922 and raised in Toledo’s historic Old West End, the “Johnson twins” marked this incredible milestone on September 15 in Sylvania, a Toledo suburb. Friends and family, some traveling from as far as Texas, gathered to honor the special occasion with the twins, Marilyn Wright and Madelyn Casper.
Madelyn’s son, Thomas Casper, told WTVG, “Twins at 102—it’s not something you see every day. We knew we had to celebrate this one in a big way.”
Marilyn and Madelyn have always shared a close bond. Between them, they have 13 children, and despite the demands of raising large families, they’ve always found time for each other. Madelyn describes their relationship as being “like two peas in a pod.” Even when they lived in different cities, they stayed in sync, often thinking and doing the same things.
Marilyn provided an example, saying, “I’d call Madelyn and say, ‘I just made a meatloaf. I wish you could be here.’ She’d reply, ‘I made one too.’” In another instance, they unknowingly bought the same fabric to make curtains for their sons.
Sisters share a deep connection over life’s simple and extraordinary moments, and this bond is even stronger when those sisters are twins. From motherhood to making meatloaf, countless experiences have brought Marilyn and Madelyn closer, and their partnership continues to this day. Despite some challenges, like when Madelyn “couldn’t hear” anymore, Marilyn now serves as her ears, while Madelyn is Marilyn’s eyes, keeping their teamwork alive.
Remarkably, at 102 years old, the centenarian twins are still in good health. Marilyn’s daughter, Julie Fox, shared with WTVG, “We feel very blessed to still have both of them with us, and they’re both still in pretty good health—physically and mentally.”
Marilyn playfully mentioned that having a cocktail before dinner is a good habit, but she emphasized that the real secret to a long, fulfilling life is in the heart. “We have to tell people, ‘Be kind to your neighbor.’ Just show kindness. Don’t hate. The word hate should be out of the dictionary,” she shared.
It seems the Toledo twins are set on spreading joy and positivity for many more years to come!