Almost 106, Marie Streeto Has Advice On How To Live A Very Long Life

EAST HAVEN, CT —In February 2021, still deep in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic, Patch met Marie Streeto.

Then 102, soon to celebrate her 103rd birthday, Marie shared her story. Born during the pandemic of 1918, both her parents contracted the Spanish flu, which meant the newborn would go live with her aunt for months to stay safe as her parents successfully battled the virus. She never became ill that century ago. And during the coronavirus of 2021, she got vaccinated and again remained well.

Marie has lived through a lot: Two pandemics, the Great Depression, the first and second World Wars and numerous other wars that followed. One can visit with her and ask about any of those events, and the everyday events of her long life, and find that her memory is long, and sharp.

She's lived for years at East Farm Village in East Haven, where she is a well known, and beloved, resident.

"Marie, who is almost 106 — her birthday is March 20 —proves humility, kindness, and a strong faith can take you a long way in life," said Valerie Petrillo, who is responsible for tenant relations at East Farm Village. "Marie is always smiling, and she has a way of brightening up any gloomy day."

The day Patch went for its fourth trip to visit Marie, the day was very gloomy, weather-wise. But inside her unfussy and immaculate apartment tastefully filled with family photos, flowering plants and delicate figurines, it's warm and welcoming. With her ruby-red rosary nearby, she smiles and embraces a reporter.

"Oh! How are you? I remember you!"

The question is, how is Marie?

"I feel very good. I know I'm almost 106, but I feel very good." She also now has a devoted aide, Gina. Though Marie was quick to note that she "still cooks," and a Sunday sauce is a specialty.

Brought up a devout Catholic in Fair Haven near Chatham Square, as a child, she attended Mass daily and went to St. Francis School. She's been very involved for her entire life and when she was 80, was still a church ladies' guild president.

When first we met, when asked to what she attributed her advanced age and overall very good health, she shrugged.

“Nothing special. Just living day to day and being with family. We were always together. We were very family oriented. My mother and father were always together. And you know, you just do what you have to do. As a family. That’s all. Ordinary living. Good friends, close-knit family, and faith. That's it.”

She feels the same way now, but added that for her, "being nice, being a good person," and caring about others may lead to a longer life. That, and "gratitude and prayer," she said.

"I like everyone. I take people as they are. I don't judge people. I try to be nice. It's just the way I am," she shared. "And you have to believe in something. Prayer is what I do. My mother was always very religious but not pushing it on anyone, she wasn't sickening about it, but you do have to believe in something. Pray, believe, have faith and your life is what you make it. That's it!"

Given in years past East Farm Village has thrown a party for Marie, we expect that practice will be repeated later this month. Patch will be sure to attend, and sing along in wishing her a happy 106 years young.

Read more about Marie Streeto >>

East Haven Woman, 102, Survives Two Pandemics

First Day Of Spring Birthday: East Haven's Marie Streeto Is 104

Marie Streeto's Advice On Living To Age 105: Take Each Day As It Comes