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People On The Move - Mary Spadea
10/27/2009 - By Tobi D. Tesoriero
CENTENARIAN
Depending on the season, rather than cars traversing the city, there were wagons and sleds on streets. Mary shared that in the winter the sleds would carry food. Street cars came later.
Mary’s childhood home had no electricity. They used a coal stove for heat and a gas lamp for light. They had one small radio in the kitchen shared by nine people, and slept four people in one bed. Two were stationed at the head of the mattress and the other two at the foot of the bed. In her home, the lavatory was on the porch and shared by three families.
In addition to going to church on Sundays, as a treat each child was given two cents to purchase a grab bag of broken candy. They also enjoyed taking walks.
Mary’s dad died “early” so times were hard for the family. Being the oldest of nine children, Mary grew up helping the family. She would help do household chores, as well as help financially by doing “homework.” Mary would sew clothes with her mom. She would travel back and forth to New York City and bring material and patterns home; then she’d travel back, transporting the finished garments, and then the cycle would repeat itself. In addition to that clothing, Mary would also make doll’s clothes.
At the age of 27, Mary married Salvatore (Sam) Spadea. She joked that she used to call him “Sam, You Made the Pants Too Long” Spadea (an old-time favorite song). After living in Newark initially, they moved to Harrison, New Jersey, and lived there until Sam retired. Sam had been a self-employed carpenter for many years. Then a little more than 30 years ago they relocated to Colts Neck. Mary has two children: George, a current Colts Neck resident; and Norma, a former Colts Neck resident.
When asked about the changes she’s noted in the area, Mary said, “Well, it really was country here before. We didn’t have all the big homes all in the area.”
To this day Mary is still sewing! She delights in making clothing for her two great grandchildren, 7-year-old Gabrielle and 3-yearold Nicole, who live in Texas with their mother, Mary’s granddaughter Erica. She also continues to make ornaments, Christmas bulbs, Easter ornaments, corsages, trees, and other crafts for the various holidays. She belongs to Holy Spirit, Martha Mary Guild, and the Colts Neck Seniors, and loves going on all the trips. Mary also still loves cooking; she still loves making trays of lasagna and candy (using her chocolate mold).
Of course, Living in Colts Neck had to ask Mary if she had any tips on longevity or suggestions for a health regime. She shared that she gets up early every day, that she likes to keep busy, keep walking, eat healthy (she eats no fats and likes vegetables like spinach or broccoli rabe), and is indebted to her doctor, Dr. Scuderi, who she says has kept her going for years.
Perhaps, however, Mary’s true secret is her joyous outlook. As her daughter Norma Couvelha shared, “She is so appreciative of everything she has, and can make something wonderful out of anything you give her.”
STATS
FAVORITE RESTAURANT
Country Buffet or Hometown Buffet
FAVORITE MUSIC
the Hymns on Sundays at Saint Mary’s Church in Colts Neck
FAVORITE MOVIES
Gone With the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, The Ten Commandments
PET PEEVE
the way stores mark items $29.99 instead of just putting $30
THREE PEOPLE YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH
my granddaughter Erica and my great granddaughters Gabrielle and Nicole,
because they live so far away in Texas
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