101st Birthday Celebrated in White Plains
Sept. 13 was a day of celebration at the Edna L. Roker Social Adult Day Center in White Plains. The staff and seniors were honoring Genevieve Carpentieri, who would celebrate her 101st birthday the next day, with a party.
“I think it’s wonderful,” Carpentieri said of the party.
Joseph Carpentieri, a Rockland County resident, praised the Roker Center for putting on the event in honor of his mother and expressed affection for her. It is an unbelievable party,” he said. ”My mother is probably the most remarkable person I’ve met in my life.”
Carpentieri’s daughter, Vera, had words of praise for the Roker Center. “This is a wonderful, caring, devoted, dedicated staff who works tirelessly every day to keep the people here going, happy and active,” she said.
Vera Carpentieri said her mother has been coming to the Roker Center during the day for the past few days while coming to her North White Plains home in the evenings. Carpentieri lived in White Plains for about 30 years before moving in with her daughter.
Genevieve Carpentieri was born in the Bronx, the oldest of 10 children, and worked until she was nearly 80 years old. She worked in the accounts department for the Alexander’s department store in Manhattan, her daughter noted.
“She has attributed her longevity to never stopping and always continuing to grow, work and learn things,” Vera Carpentieri said of her mother. “She wants to be engaged and active.”
Vera Carpentieri said her mother, who has five grandchildren, was an “avid baker” and enjoyed doing such craft work as ceramics and knitting. “She has been just so active with everything.”
Roker Center Executive Director Miriam Roker Horsford, was thrilled with the party and Carpentieri’s milestone. “[Genevieve] teaches us what life is all about,” Horsford said. “She is a wonderful inspiration on a daily basis. She’s always got a smile. She always has something interesting to say. She’s a delight.”
