Even though 60 may be the new 40, most of us, when we think of anyone who has reached the 100 mark of a centenarian, envision a frail, doddering, forgetful individual.
One visit with 100-year-old Mary Rabovsky of Branford changes that picture, completely.
Still sharp as a tack, walking in her home without the aid of a cane, and free of the need to take almost any medications, Until recently, Mary was an enthusiastic volunteer in the kitchen at the Canoe Brook Senior Center in Branford.
Mary, a native Nutmegger, was born in Bridgeport Dec. 7, 1908, but moved to Branford about 15 years ago to live with her only surviving son, Robert, (she had four children) his wife, Rose, and Michael, who is one of eight grandchildren.
Although her married name is Russian, her maiden name was Ualtowski, and Mary has been an active member of the Polish Falcons, an organization that stresses brotherhood and physical health, for more than 80 years.
At the time of this interview, she was preparing to leave for the Falcon district convention in Pittsfield, Mass., where she was to receive special honors for holding the longest Falcon membership of anyone in America.
Her 97-year-old friend, Mary Mazur, was also going to attend. When I commented on the energy required for such a weekend trip, Michael said, “That’s nothing. Last year, Grandma and I flew to Troy, Mich., to attend the Falcon National convention.”
Part of the secret of Mary’s remarkable good health at such an advanced age is that she has always been athletic. At the Falcon games held in 1933, she took top honors in the high jump, broad jump and the 75- and 100-yard dashes. She was almost an Olympic competitor in the games being held in Germany, but because the Nazis were rising to power at the time, her father forbade her to attend.
Mary feels that she owes her good health to the fact that she stays active. She was an energetic participant at St. Michael’s Church in Bridgeport. She has won the Agency on Aging lifetime achievement award, as well as many other commendations and awards.
“I just keep movin’,” she says with a smile. Mary, along with 25 other centenarians, was honored by the Agency on Aging at a luncheon this past Wednesday at the Jewish Community Center in Woodbridge. What an inspiring example for all of us.
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