Change is the one constant in life, and in the past 100 years, much has happened to precipitate change. A world that experienced the Great Depression and World War II eventually saw the benefits of countless technological advancements that made television, cell phones, and the internet possible. In July 1969, families waited and watched the Apollo 11 moon landing where astronaut, Neil Armstrong, took “one giant step for all mankind,” on the lunar surface. The unimaginable occurred in our peaceful land on September 11th, 2001, when the World Trade Center went under attack, and then almost two decades later, the Covid-19 pandemic brought catastrophic loss of life, demanding social distancing and remote learning. Born in 1923, 102-year-old Ossining centenarian, Valeria “Val” Masullo, lived through all of this and more.
Old Traditions, New Beginnings, a not-for-profit project and collaboration between the office of State Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg and local senior citizens, gave Ossining resident, Cora Silvestri, an opportunity to interview her friend Valeria at Cedar Manor Nursing Home in Ossining where she resided while recuperating from a fall outside her home last year.
Val’s Story
Val is a lifelong resident of Ossining. She is the eighth of 11 children, seven boys and four girls, all two years apart. She remembers helping her mother care for her younger siblings. She recalls a funny story about life with so many children in the house, having to wait in a line for their turn to take a bath or use the bathroom. When one person in the family became ill with measles, or chickenpox, a notice placed on the door quarantined the house, and the children stayed home from school. As they got older, the children cut school, and a truant officer went to the home to inform their parents.
Val remembers her family gathering around a radio in the living room listening to shows and news before television became the dominant broadcast medium in the 1950s. When her family got a television, all the relatives came to watch. In 1958, she married the love of her life, James Masullo, and they remained in Ossining. James had served in the U.S. Army and was a railroad worker. Val worked for the Maryknoll Fathers for 43 years. She and James didn’t have their own children, but they were surrounded by family, including many nieces and nephews. They traveled throughout the United States, Hawaii and Las Vegas among the many places they visited. In 2008, they enjoyed quality time with their families at a 50th wedding anniversary celebration. Sadly, James passed away four years later.
The Ossining Senior Center arranged a 100th birthday party for Val in 2023, and this year on her 102nd birthday in June, friends celebrated with Val at her home. Her secret for a long, healthy life is “Keep active, keep your legs moving, and keep dancing.” She loved the line dancing class at the Senior Center where she grooved and moved alongside the “younger” ones. She looks forward to line dancing again accompanied by her nephew. A classy lady who dresses impeccably, Val gets her hair done every week and enjoys a glass of wine with dinner. She, of course, loves sweets, especially chocolate, cookies, and ice cream.
Val told Cora Silvestri, “I’ve lived a good, fulfilling life, and I cherish every moment of it.”
Old Traditions, New Beginnings is a compilation of stories 250-1,000 words per submission from those 60 years and older. Those interested in contributing their own writing or volunteering to help others share their contributions are encouraged to email district95@nyassembly.gov.
