One Hundred Years Old and Still Going Strong

OCEAN VIEW – Cent’Anni is an Italian salutation that translated means “may you live 100 years.” On Feb. 13, Carmella Rosengren celebrated her 100th birthday among family, friends, and staff at the Oceanview Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation.
The celebratory opening included a presentation of flowers, a wrist corsage and well-wishes to Rosengren from Lyndell Harris, the activities director of the center, as well as those in attendance. Local vocalist Keith Hickman sang a vibrant rendition of Happy Birthday to Carmella.
“Carmella is upbeat,” Harris said. “She loves music and she loves a game we play called balloons. She loves to participate in the game and she yells ‘hit the ball!’ Carmella has a zest for life. She loves to sing and she enjoys pet therapy. Carmella loves her sweets. She is a free-spirited person and never has an unkind word! She’s friendly with fellow residents – she is a friend.”
Activities Assistant Donna Siegel echoed those sentiments. “Carmella keeps everybody laughing,” Siegel said. “Carmella loves to talk. She’s hysterical. Carmella has a great sense of humor – she doesn’t take life so seriously. She’s always happy!”
Activity Assistant Maggy D remarked, “She loves to sing. Carmella loves to talk about her family. She’s extremely alert and she loves to eat sweets and milk.”
Carmela’s family shared that she has had a long rich life and was born in Bridgeport, Conn. in 1915. She had been married three times and has three children. She has lived in Cape May County for over 10 years, and was a housewife who enjoyed walking, horseback riding, and was independent throughout her life. Carmella also lived in Florida for five years and enjoyed outside activities. She has four granddaughters, three grandsons, and 10 great-grandchildren.
Lorraine Halliday, executive director of business development for Oceanview Center confirmed that Carmella, did volunteer work in the Central Jersey hospital systems and that she never acquired a drivers license throughout her life as she preferred to walk.
“Carmella voiced many times in her youth she wanted to live to be 100,” Halliday said. “The greatest highlight of her life was having her three children. She was an exceptional Italian cook and when she lived in Florida she enjoyed swimming, horseback riding, movies and dancing.”
Certified Nursing Assistant Samantha Drees has known Carmella for a year and a half. “She’s fun, she likes to laugh, she likes all music,” Drees said. “She loves the balloon game and Carmella loves candy! She’s a very very happy loving and caring person. I just adore her. She just loves life. She’s happy and I love being around her. She makes all the girls laugh. She’s beautiful inside and out.”
Carmella laughed, giggled and sang along as her birthday party unfolded and thrived throughout the afternoon. She exhibits a zest for life, and a youthful exuberance that should inspire us all to live a hundred years. Cent’Anni!