Woman To Celebrate 100th Birthday; Smithtown Schools Honor Her

SMITHTOWN, NY — Hela Ressa loves to knit and crochet. She loves it so much that she has taught the skill to thousands of yearning learners for more than 25 years in Smithtown, according to the Smithtown School District.

"So it was only fitting that her adult students celebrate her upcoming 100th birthday with a surprise party before her adult ed class at the Smithtown administration building on May 12," the district wrote.

Ressa is set to turn 100 on June 19.

Smithtown Central School District Superintendent Mark Secaur shared a letter with Ressa congratulating her accomplishments.

The letter read in part, "Your hands have crafted far more than scarves and sweaters….Through your lessons, we’ve learned to slow down, to create with purpose, and to find joy in the quiet rhythm of our craft…you have made a lasting difference in the lives of so many."

Ressa emigrated to the United States from Germany more than 70 years ago. She settled on Long Island and began teaching knitting and crocheting classes at Sears Roebuck Department Store in 1969. Since then, Ressa has taught the adult education class in seven school districts and at a community center throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.

For her efforts, Ressa received a proclamation from Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and Town of Smithtown Supervisor Ed Werheim.