Updated

A letter written by a Houlton school teacher in 1931 to her mother in Pittsfield has finally been delivered -- 83 years later.

The nine-page letter was written by 23-year-old Miriam McMichael, to her mother, Dollena McMichael.

Both women have since died.

The letter was lost and only recently found at the Pittsfield post office. The postal worker who found it, Michelle Rowell, tells the Morning Sentinel she could tell it was old because of the 2-cent stamp.

The postmaster, with the help of town officials, tracked down the family and the letter is now in the hands of 69-year-old Ann MacMichael, of Cornville, Miriam's niece and Dollena's granddaughter. The spelling of the family name has changed.

MacMichael says the irony is that the writer apologizes for not writing sooner.