Centenarian: Betty Stevens

BETTY STEVENS was born Aug. 22, 1911, in Poland, immigrated to America with her family at 2 and lived in Georgetown, Conn. She married Harley Sage Stevens and moved to Manhattan. Betty worked at Macy's and at Insurance Co. of North America. She enjoyed needlework and spending weekends at their summer home in New Fairfield, Conn. She moved to Islip in the '60s to live closer to her daughter, Elizabeth Opalene Wilson, and son-in-law, Andy Panaro. Betty was widowed in 1984. She volunteered at St. Mary's Church Thrift Shop for 25 years. She received her GED from East Islip High School at 75, assisted seniors at the library with their income taxes, and studied psychology as a senior student at St. Joseph's College. She's lived at Maria Regina Residence in Brentwood since 2008 and enjoys walking and visits from family. She has four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She celebrated her birthday with a party at Maria Regina with family and at another event with friends, residents and staff.