Ruth Wilson and her great grand daughter Eliza Wilson and friend Julia Abbazia at Cos Cob Fire House on March 12, 2018 Photo Leslie Yager
Ruth Wilson and Pat Scarpelli share a moment during Ruth’s birthday party at Cos Cob Fire Station, March 12, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Geraldine “Gerry” Petrizzi with Ruth Wilson, March 12, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
On Sunday a couple hundred people lined up to congratulate Ruth Wilson on her 100th birthday at the Cos Cob Fire house.
“I’ve known her since we moved into the neighborhood,” said Julia Abbazia, a GHS senior. “I’m friends with her great grand daughter, Eliza. Mrs. Wilson always has a smile on her face and is really sweet and is super kind.”
“I love my great grandmother,” Eliza said. “She has always motivated me in my education. A lot of what I do is because of her. She’s instilled in me the value of education.”
Geraldine “Gerry” Petrizzi said that before retirement she and Mrs. Wilson were colleagues at Cos Cob Schol.
“I was an administrator and stayed on at Cos Cob school for many years after Ruth retired,” she said. “We’re both in Delta Kappa Gamma, and honorary society for teachers, both active and retired.”
“She was my kindergarten teacher in 1954,” said Linda Ferraro-Muccio, who many know from Tom’s Driving School. “She was always so calm – just a sweetheart of a teacher who wanted you to learn to get the most out of school. She’s just a wonderful person with a big heart.”
“When I became old enough to go to the Senior Center in 2011, I met Ruth, so I’ve known her for seven years. I’ve sung with her in the Sivler Tones. I’ve exercised with her in chair yoga, chair Pilates and chair Zumba. I’ve eaten with her, played board games with her and goofed around with her, and I am convinced that I will never fine a better role model for living to 100,” said Janeen Bjork.
Longtime friend Jean O’Brien said, “She’s so friendly. She remembers everybody and loves having a good time. And she loves kids! Plus, she’s not afraid to tackle any thing – She’s even on Facebook!”
Left to Right: Fred Camillo, Sandy Grant, Ruth Wilson, Jean O’Brien, Linda Lombardo, Barbara Richardson, Bhama Narasimhan and Audrey Davies. March 12, 2018
Ruth Wilson, Linda Lombardo and Jean O’Brien at Ruth’s 100th birthday party at Cos Cob Fire House, March 12, 2018. Photo: Leslie Yager
Pastor Don Adams and Mitzi of Peace Community Chapel in Greenwich with Ruth Wilson. March 12, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Clarissa Maldonado, 5-1/2, shares a drawing with Ruth Wilson on her 100th birthday. March 12, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
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Linda Lombardo, who is an exercise teacher at the Senior Center, waited patiently in line to give her best wishes to Mrs. Wilson, said, “She is a class act. Ruth comes to exercise class at the senior center looking like a million bucks every time she walks in the door – she has on her make up, jewelry, everything matches down to the socks! She’s pleasant, and lights up the room every time she walks in the door. Everyone adores her. Everyone wants to know her beauty and longevity secrets.”
Margaret Judge, who was the Human Resources director at AZ Marketing said Ruth Wilson was one of the first people she ever hired.
“When she retired form teaching, she told me, ‘I don’t want to be home every day.’ To this day she was one of the best employees I ever hired,” Ms. Judge said, adding that a number of former AZ Marketing employees were also at the party. “We’re all here because she’s a great lady! I’ll never forget to this day, one of the best … always on time.”
Ms. Judge said she had asked Mrs. Wilson what was her her secret. “She said, “Keep your mind active and your body active every day.'”
Fred Camillo, who visited Marion Pastore on her 100th birthday before coming to the Cos Cob Fire House for Ruth Wilson’s 100th birthday, delivered a bottle of wine from the Pastore family in honor of Ruth’s birthday. March 12, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Fred Camillo with his former kindergarten teacher Ruth Wilson at Cos Cob Fire House, March 12, 2018. Photo: Leslie Yager
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