Copyright Staten Island Advance
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — It was a day filled with love, laughter, and a number of cherished moments as Nellie Galasso’s family members and friends gathered to celebrate “the birthday girl” as she rounded the century mark in Eger Health Care & Rehabilitation Center — the Egbertville health care facility she’s called home for the last several years. Born Nellie Green, Bayonne, N.J. on Oct. 6, 1925, Nellie relocated to St. George with her family when she was just 3 years of age, a community she would later call home for most of her life. However, she lived for a time in Harrisburg, Pa., as well as in Lakehurst, N.J. In 1945, Nellie and Charles Galasso said their I’do’s, and together they created a happy and meaningful life finding joy in raising two daughters, Margaret, who has since passed away, and Jeanne, noted her granddaughter-in-law, Kristi Anzalone. “Nellie is the matriarch of our family having a strong bond with each of us,” commented her daughter, Jeanne. “We look toward her for guidance, strength, and advice and she is everyone’s trusted confidant. Mom has a strong faith in God and was a Eucharistic Minister. She would spend her day at Clove Lakes Nursing Home praying and listening to what people had to say. She would tell me ‘The old people look forward to me visiting them.’ She didn’t realize she was older than most of them. I feel that’s the key to my mother’s longevity. She doesn’t think or feel like an old person.” And Nellie’s son-in-law, Robert D’Angelo echoed his wife’s words: “Mom always believed in helping the underdog,” he said. “Never casting judgement on others. She used to tell me, ‘You don’t know what’s going on in others lives, or the burdens they are carrying.’ She even until this day, at 100 years-old, is my confidant and adviser — never making me feel like her son in law. I’ve always been her son." Her family continued to grow over the years, and to this day Nellie takes great pride in being the loving grandmother of Kristine, Terri, Margie, Michael, and Christopher, and great-grandmother to nine grandchildren, Christopher, Mikey, Samantha, Jason, Gary, Francesca, Charlotte, Christopher, and Christian, continued Kristi Anzalone. MORE ON THE BIRTHDAY CELEBRANT When Nellie entered the work force she spent a number of years fulfilling a secretarial position in Manhattan, where she supported the organization’s efficiency and success — and her dedication and work ethic earned the respect of her colleagues. After a time the Galasso’s relocated to Pennsylvania, where Nellie worked with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Motor Vehicles for 12 years, before retiring and returning to Staten Island. According to her family, Nellie has always been known for her warmth, wisdom, and wonderful sense of humor, and she’s touched countless lives throughout her century of living where she’s witnessed profound social and technological advances. Her family credits her longevity to her kind heart, strong spirit, and unwavering love for those around her. As Nellie celebrated her incredible milestone surrounded by generations of loved ones, one thing was clear — hers is a life well-lived and deeply — one rich with purpose, meaning and fulfillment. CELEBRATIONS - NOV. 2 TO NOV. 8 NOV. 2 Sunday is birthday time for Robert Wiese and Angela Commissa Frisone. NOV. 3 Birthday greetings on Monday go to John Caltabiano, Tiffany Angelico, Matthew Tafone who turns 37, Caroline Sullivan, Laura Percoco, Tara Ann Pisano, Frank Floridia, James Greco, Peter Palazzotto, Stacy Benton, Michele Fitzgibbons, and Kaitlyn Dratsczyk. Happy wedding anniversary Monday to Anna and Robert Breazzano and to Jennifer and Quamie Smith. H Happy 40th wedding anniversary to Mike and Miranda Scala. NOV. 4 Happy birthday Tuesday to Gina Biancardi, president and founder of Casa Belvedere, the Italian Cultural Center on Grymes Hill, Charlotte Landry, Amanda Nielsen, Tom Hart, Jeff Canney, Eithne Byrne, Rodney Stilwell, Phil Ebner, Robert Widener and Jerry Kelly. Cheryl and John Gaugh celebrate a wedding anniversary on Tuesday. NOV. 5 County Clerk, Steve Fiala marks a birthday Wednesday together with Christopher Ramos, Thomas Leli, Linda Doherty, Ruth Valva and Gary Escobar. Happy wedding anniversary Wednesday to Emma and Jim Briazzano. NOV. 6 Former Congressman Dan Donovan gets birthday wishes Thursday along with Eddie D’Anna, Peg McGinley Reilly, Ann Marie Calzolari, Janice Giacalone Stoffers of Hall of Frames fame, Nicki Buczkowski, Mildred Olsen and twins James and Joseph Stropoli, who turn 12. Thursday is wedding anniversary time for Pat and Joe Sansone, Mary and Joe Spillane and Peter and Karen Rondinelli. NOV. 7 Birthday wishes on Friday go to Deborah Cirigliano, Gerard Rappa, Irene Mahoney, Dana Ferreri, Lynne DeFranco, Allison Jean Filomeno, Louise Perosi, and twins Arianna Grace and Gianna Rose Galant. NOV. 8 The best of birthdays on Saturday go to John Cannavo, who turns 68, Mark Hanley, Lucey Wideman, Jenna Dell’Olio, Joe O’Sullivan, Todd Hill, Tara Tempone, twins Roseann and Patricia Grossman, Clyde Anderson, Wendy Dykes Ramos, Chris L. Bertinelli, Gloria Golden and Joan Crowe.
