For her 80th birthday, Ann Quinnam Gagnon Sparks' daughter, Cindy Collamore, picked her up for a routine birthday dinner with family around noon Sunday, Nov. 11.

But Sparks was in store for much more, including a run-in with a singing celebrity impersonator.

After being driven around for nearly an hour, Collamore told her mother that her other children, David, Joey and Debbie, were waiting in a parking lot and they all still needed to decide where to go for dinner.

Sparks said she began to wonder why her children hadn’t been more organized in deciding on where to take her for dinner, and was about to say, “let's not bother” when they drove into the former Tuxedo Junction.

Seeing that the parking lot was filled with cars, Sparks said, “What's going on here?”

Collomore said, “They are here for you.”

“What do you mean?” Sparks said. Her two sons David and Joey then came out to escort her into the building where she was greeted by about 100 guests ready to sing “Happy Birthday.”

The guest list included a long line of friends, family, classmates, former customers and even her doctor.

Sparks has lived a long and full life, not always an easy life, according to the presentation by her daughter Cindy. She told of her mother being a woman who never complained what life handed out, and a woman that certainly has a lot of life left in her. 

Sparks has lived in Wiscasset most all her life. She is the mother of four children, the grandmother of five grandchildren, and the great-grandmother of four, all of whom were present to celebrate with her.

In her younger days, Sparks dug clams, waitressed and had a catering business. She worked in the Eaton Shoe shop in Richmond, and at the Registry of Deeds for 19 years.

In 1984, she was diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkins lymphoma and told she had six months to live. She decided to buy the Tuxedo Junction dance hall and ended up operating it for nearly 20 years. She later opened the Blue Haven chemical free dance hall for teenagers to have a fun safe place for kid to go in the same location.

When Sparks was told that she had six months to live, she told her children she wasn’t going to worry about it. “That is the doctor’s job,” she said. In telling her mother’s story, Collamore said, “That was 29 years ago; I guess God has other plans for her.”

“She has helped so many other people when they have been diagnosed with cancer come to terms with it and has been a friend to many,” Collamore said. “She has a heart of gold and is always giving to everyone, and a friend to everyone she meets.

For two hours the guests dance to the DJ's '50s and '60s music, at times with four generations of the Gagnon family on the dance floor at the same time.

At about 3 p.m., much to the surprise of Sparks and her many guests, an Elvis Presley impersonator arrived with a hand full of balloons and a big hug and kiss for the guest of honor. The Elvis impersonator entertained the guest for two hours with Elvis’ music.

In a telephone interview with Ann on Monday morning, she said, she still cannot believe the family pulled it off.

“I am still shocked. I am so grateful to them, and I appreciate everyone coming to the party. It was great seeing everyone. I can’t believe I got so many cards, and gifts. Please tell everyone how appreciative I am,” Sparks said.

Her children wanted everyone to know they have the best mother in the world. From the turnout, a lot of people must feel the same way.

“I have the best kids in the world,” Sparks said.