Pizza party held to mark 1918 'pandemic' baby's 102nd birthday

Mary Cassesse’s family never really spoke about the worldwide Spanish Flu outbreak that claimed the lives of an estimated 50 million people the year she was born.

But learning later in life about the events that gripped the world in 1918 made her realize how lucky she was to have survived, she said.

On Tuesday, the staff at The Waters of Wexford in Warrendale senior living center helped Cassesse celebrate her 102nd birthday with a party.

While Cassesse’s family and friends couldn’t join in because of the coronavirus pandemic, she was buoyed by the chance to mark the milestone with people who make her happy, she said.

“Some days are better than others, but I’m healthy and happy and I love it here,” she said.

Cassesse was born in New York and moved to Brady’s Bend in Armstrong County as a child. After high school she moved to Cleveland to work in a defense plant during World War II, which she says “was one of the best jobs of my life.”

When asked about her secret to longevity, she didn’t hesitate: “I never got married,” she said with a laugh. “I never thought I’d see 40 because I was sick a lot when I was younger. But I had good doctors.”

While the world is experiencing many of the same circumstances as the year Cassesse was born — quarantine orders, schools and businesses shut down, people wearing masks in public places and a growing death toll — her experience has taught her to take such things in stride.

“To be happy, just keep smiling,” she says.

Alaina Kuzins, the senior living consultant at The Waters, said Cassesse’s exuberance has an affect on the people she meets.

“We just love Mary, she is one of the most popular residents,” Kuzins said. “She has a wealth of wisdom and is full of jokes. She loves sitting in our cafe daily to greet other residents and staff as they pass by.”

Jay Sebes, owner of Aviva Brick Oven in Warrendale, said he offered to provide the food when he learned that the staff was having a party for Cassesse.

“Mary and her gang of friends from up there are regular customers,” he said. “She’s such a wonderful person. I’m so happy to be able to do something to help her celebrate.”

The meal Sebes delivered to Cassesse was her favorite — sausage and mushroom. That was topped off with her favorite dessert, a Klondike bar.

Following are Cassesse’s responses to questions about her life posed to her by members of the staff:

Q: In your opinion, what was the most important invention in your lifetime?

A: The electric washer and dryer. Prior to having one in our home, my mother and sister had to boil the clothes and hand crank them through the wringer.

Q: What was the best decade of your lifetime?

A: I can’t pick just one. They were all great. I traveled a lot as part of a travel club with General Electric called “Nomads.”

Q: Tell us about your house and family when you were growing up.

A: I had six brothers and a sister. We lived in a two-bedroom house with an attic that my parents rented for $9 a month. Houses didn’t have heat or air conditioning at that time.

Q: What was your first car and how old were you?

A: I bought my first vehicle at 18 when I learned how to drive. It was a 1932 Chevy that I purchased for $200 with my brother. In that time, you didn’t go to a dealership. The dealer brought the car to your house, you test drove it and bought it. Our favorite place to go was the Sarah Furnace to polka dance.