Bristol woman celebrates 110th birthday; says secret is being good to people
BRISTOL, R.I. (WJAR) — A Bristol, Rhode Island, woman who is full of life is set to celebrate a milestone that a majority of the population will not have the chance to do.
On Feb. 27, Genevieve Marszalek turned 110 years old.
One day before her birthday, distant relatives, friends and town residents met at the Bristol House of Pizza to celebrate her achievement.
According to Gregory Gatos, the second-generation owner of the pizza place, Marszalek has been a frequent customer dating back more than 20 years.
“I met her about 20 years ago and no, there's no other [customer] like Genevieve," said Gatos.“ Over the years we became very comfortable with each other, familiar, and she just became an extended part of the family.”
Marszalek has a bite to eat and a coffee there every Wednesday.
“I come here for the coffee," said Marszalek. "I like the people. There’s nobody like them. They are wonderful, wonderful people.”
“You could be in one of your moods at times and that does happen in this industry but the second she walks in the door, that mood instantly disappears she just puts a smile on your face," he said.
“She instantly puts a smile on your face, she makes you feel alive. It’s a beautiful feeling."
Around noon, dozens gathered to essentially surprise her.
Marzsalek's 91-year-old, only-living sister, Patricia, made the trip up from Florida.
Her current caretaker and CNA, Candace Teixeira, picked her up and brought her to her celebration.
While walking in, Marszalek let out a scream of excitement and said 'All of this for a 16-year-old' jokingly, of course.
"She’s a spitfire. We have a lot of fun, a lot of laughs, sometimes we're like an old married couple and we bicker like the other day she said I think I want a divorce from you," said Teixiera.
Teixiera has been taking care of Marszalek for the past five years.
Prior to that, her own mother, Jacqueline Teixeira, was.
"We’ve kind of just adopted her, she’s our family," said Teixeira. “She’s a friendly person. She loves people, she loves to talk. I love hearing her stories and she has so many stories to tell. So many.”
Marszalek has been through, and seen it all.
The Bristol native was born in 1914 in her grandmother's home on Wood Street.
She was the second oldest of five girls.
Marszalek made a career out of teaching commercial typewriting and bookkeeping.
She met her husband, Joseph Marszalek, while dancing at a hall on High Street, which is now Sam's cleaners.
Since Joseph was in the FBI, they moved frequently for his job.
Married on Feb. 15, 1943, Marszalek gave birth to their son, Robert (Bobby) Marszalek, two years later.
Bobby was killed in the line of duty in Hohenfels, Germany shortly after his 23rd birthday in 1968.
Those closest to Marszalek said she has always been a bright light and she has been blessed with good health.
“I’m amazed. Even the doctors, when we take her to the eye doctor's appointments they can’t believe how good her eyesight is. Or how well her blood work is. She just amazes me," said Teixeira.
According to Texeira, for the last 10 years, since turning 100, the Bristol House of Pizza has thrown Marszalek's birthday party.
“At first she’ll say, 'Oh you know, I hope you guys aren’t going to make a big deal about it.' But then, when she gets here, and she sees the news cameras, and newspapers she loves it. She loves it," said Texeira.
“I never realized this would happen to me. All these people for me? I’m not worth it," said Marszalek.
In attendance this year, amongst friends, was the Rhode Island Secretary of State, Bristol town leaders and town council members, the Bristol Chief of police and other officers, alongside members of the Bristol Fire Department.
Each entity wished her well and provided her with a citation for her 110th birthday.
Her celebration also included food, a cake and presents.
NBC10 asked Marszalek what the secret was to living a long life.
“You’re just lucky," she said. “Be good to people, and they will be good to you. Isn’t that right? And that’s what I try to do. I try to like people and they in return love me," she said while laughing.