Mae Scalia Celebrates Her 100th Birthday at The Bristal at Holtsville

Mae Scalia, a cherished resident of The Bristal Assisted Living at Holtsville, marked her 100th birthday with a celebration surrounded by family, friends, and fellow residents. The festivities took place in the bistro, where everyone gathered to sing "Happy Birthday" and enjoy live entertainment featuring timeless classics. Adding a personal touch, the programming team created a touching slideshow of photos from Mae's life, which captivated the audience. At one point, Mae wiped away a tear, a smile lighting up her face. "I never expected such a big event," Mae shared. "I feel so special today."

As the party drew to a close, Christina Clark, Executive Director of The Bristal at Holtsville, presented Mae with a town proclamation and a card signed by residents and team members of the community. "It’s truly an honor to know Mae and learn from her," Christina shared. "She is a radiant light in our community, and everyone was thrilled to come together to celebrate her!"

During World War II, Mae led the accounting department at The Home Insurance Company, one of the nation’s largest insurers. In an era when such roles were typically reserved for men, Mae stepped into the position as the country’s men were called to fight overseas in Europe and the Pacific. Mae supervised forty women in the accounting and bookkeeping departments. "I had my own phone and everything," Mae said. "I was making ten dollars a week and I even got a raise. That was a big deal back then!"

Mae began breaking the glass ceiling over 25 years before feminist icon Gloria Steinem established the Women’s Action Alliance, an organization that spearheaded efforts to achieve workplace equality for women during the late 1960s and 1970s.

Before achieving success at The Home Insurance Company, Mae began her career at The Royal Insurance Company in Manhattan. It was there that she met her first husband, Jack. However, Mae was required to resign due to the company’s strict “no fraternization” policy. "Those were the rules," Mae recalled. "I wasn't too bothered by it back then." Mae and Jack were married in 1946, and their son John was born a year later. Jack passed in 1955, leaving Mae a widow at the young age of 30.

Mae met Frank Scalia in 1956, and the two were married a year later, in 1957. In 1959, they welcomed their son, Robert. Together, Mae and Frank embarked on countless adventures, traveling extensively across the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean. Their marriage spanned an incredible 60 years, filled with love and shared memories, until Frank's passing in 2016.

Mae’s secret to a long and healthy life is rooted in a simple lesson from her mother: “Everything in moderation, but try everything,” she shared with a smile.