Mildred Laurie Gent has seen a lot of changes in the century she’s been around, including her home. After 101 years, she decided to move into Woodman Adult Services, formally known as The Donnelly Home in Flushing.
There, surrounded by friends and family, she celebrated her 102nd birthday, on Friday, October 16.
She spent most of her life in Queens and the last 60 years or so in Flushing and has been residing at Woodman Assisted Living Retirement Residence for the past nine months.
After her father passed away when she was 13-months-old, Gent and her mother moved to Manhattan, then Woodside, before settling in Flushing.
When Mildred was young she worked for an A&P grocery store as a bookkeeper for many years and lived by a strict schedule.
She would look forward to her vacations to the boardwalk in Atlantic City, or trips to Philadelphia with her mother.
“When I lost my father I felt that it was my duty to take my mother wherever I went. She wasn’t married long when my father passed so I wanted her to get some enjoyment out of her life when I was able to do so,” Mildred said.
Mildred never married and has no children. Her companion of 60 years, whom she met in grammar school, passed away about 2 years ago – just before his 100th birthday.
Now the centenarian spends a lot of her time looking out the window and going for walks. She enjoys reading the paper, listening to the news, joining activity classes and visits from her family.
Patty Reimerdes McCrossen, Mildred’s closest relative and caretaker said, “She tried living in another adult home and she wanted to come back here.”
City Councilmember John Liu and local business leader Peter Koo came to join Mildred’s celebration. Liu presented her with a City Council Citation for being an exemplary resident and “a pillar of the community.”
Woodman, formerly the Donnelly Home, opened as an adult residence in 1970 and over the years gained a reputation for its 24-hour assisted living care.
Brian Rosenman, future operator of the residence, describes it as a “home away from home” for the residents.
McCrossen had words of praise for Woodman. “This place is keeping her alive.”
What’s Mildred’s secret to living a long life? ”Don’t drink, don’t smoke and go to bed early every night.”
