Elizabeth Gladys Virdin, a teacher who had perfect attendance during her 39 years in the classroom, died Sunday of a heart attack at Greater Baltimore Medical Center. The Sparks resident was 100.

Before her retirement in 1972, she taught home economics at Roland Park Junior High School for more than 30 years. She had earlier taught at Laurel High.

Known as Bill or Billy, she was born Elizabeth Gladys Crowther on her family's Bachelor's Choice Farm in Sparks, where she lived nearly all her life. After attending Baltimore County public schools, she earned a bachelor's degree in education at the University of Maryland in College Park in 1923.

"Sick was not in her vocabulary," said a niece, Mary Love Boyce of Rodgers Forge. "If she had a cold, she went to school anyway. Responsibility to her was responsibility, and you fulfilled it. Her students respected her."

Family members said Mrs. Virdin had one bout of serious illness -- a case of typhoid fever. But because she got sick in the summer, she lost no time at school.

They also recalled that her home economics training served her well. "She put on the most wonderful family dinners," said Dorothy Evans, a grandniece in Sparks. "She was a sociable lady."

Her husband of 55 years, Joseph Dunn Virdin Jr., president of Canton Lumber Co., died in 1986.

Mrs. Virdin was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution, and a lifelong member of Immanuel Episcopal Church in Sparks where she belonged to the altar and women's guilds and choir.

"She was our oldest continuing member, having been here for all of her 100 years," said the Rev. Beverly Braine, the church's rector. "She had a particular place she always sat, and she served in every possible capacity of the church's ministry. She even helped with the horse shows. Even when she couldn't get out, she prayed for us."

Services will be held at 11 a.m. today at the church, 1509 Glencoe Road.

She also is survived by a nephew, Richard V. Evans of Champaign, Ill.; great-nephews; and great-nieces.