Ms. Josephine DeSilva recently celebrated her 104th birthday at Bethel Nursing Home in Ossining where she has resided since 2016. The oldest of 12 children, Ms. DeSilva worked as a baker for Reader’s Digest. She and her husband, Manuel (deceased), raised their family in Pleasantville and are the parents of daughter, Josephine, of Briarcliff Manor, and son, Manuel, of New Hampshire (deceased).
Her advice for a long life is to, “Be kind to everyone, dance even if you’re in a chair and once in a while, it’s okay to take a nap!”
Ms. DeSilva still dances, sings and bakes and enjoys being with the friends she has made at Bethel Nursing Home. Ms. DeSilva has seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
