On March 18, United Presbyterian Residence (UPR) Center for Health and Rehabilitation in Woodbury celebrated the lives of 14 female residents who are between 100 and 105 years old.

The centenarians were joined by several generations of family and friends, staff and government dignitaries. Keynote speaker Sharon Mullon from Senior Citizens Affairs of Nassau County, was joined by Nassau County Legislator and Presiding Office Judy Jacobs, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto and Town of Oyster Bay Councilwoman Rose Marie Walker.

Staff members who care for the women on a daily basis read a short bio including many past and present photographs depicting the lives of each honoree. Then, each centenarian received special commendations from both Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi and Jacobs.

The 14 centenarians who were honored are Mariannina Bernardo, Albina Eyth, Emma Hume, Irma Kienow, Mary McCrystal, Madeline McGrill, Henrietta Montalvo, Elfreda Rater, Esther Rivellini, Pauline Santella, Laura Sacacino, Beaty Siegel-Schaeffer, Kate Tarloff and Mildred Wilson.

Pauline Santella is UPRšs oldest resident. She was born Jan. 24, 1899 in the village of San Pietro in Montero Providence, Italy. She arrived in the United States with her mother and siblings in 1910 and settled on the Lower East Side in Manhattan. Santellašs father had arrived two years earlier. She married in 1921 and worked for many years as a seamstress in the garment center while raising two children. In 1933, Santella moved from Manhattan to Brooklyn where she raised her family, worked and spent long summer vacations in South Beach, Long Island.

When her children were grown, she decided to move to Franklin Square where she purchased her first home. After 66 years of marriage, Santellašs husband passed away in 1987. She has two children, a daughter-in-law, six grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends.