Angelina Matranga Turns 100

Five generations celebrated the 100th birthday of Angelina Matranga on Jan. 17 at Cedar Manor. 

From as far away as Albany and Myrtle Beach and as close as Ossining, more than 50 friends and relations celebrated with the centenarian, who greeted everyone, recognized most, and demonstrated an irrepressible tendency to burst into song.

"Thank you, thank you," she said. "God bless you all."

She brushed off conversations about her age, taking 26 years off in one conversation and turning the tables on another.

"Mama, how old are you today?" daughter Josephine Connor asked her mother. "74!" Mrs. Matranga said triumphantly.

"What's the secret of living to 100?" this reporter asked. "How old are you?" she shot back.

Her great-granddaughter Nicole Katz said she thought she knew the secret. "I put it down to all the great food," she said. "She was an incredible cook."

A lifelong resident of Ossining, Mrs. Matranga has also been a lifelong member of St. Ann's Church. A founder of the St. Ann's Sodality, she is its oldest member, said partygoer Barbara Piazza. Members of the Sodality attended the party and brought her flowers.

"Our wishes for you are God's grace and blessing," said Sodality Vice President Bea Fantini. 

Mrs. Matranga worked for Readers' Digest for many years and has lived at Cedar Manor since 2001.

Here's the geneaology:

Angelina Ripostella married Cosimo Dolcimascolo. They had three children: Paul, Josephine and Anthony, who grew up in a house at 42 N. Highland Avenue which is now where the Caputo Community Center lies.

"That was known as the "Hollow" back in the day!" said Angie's nephew Nick Ripostella in an email.

Paul's children are: Donna Marie Eickler, Joni Hedglin and Paul Thomas Dolcimascolo Jr.

Josephine's children are: Thomas Stephen Warner, David Allan Warner, and Michael Joseph Warner.

Anthony's two children are Anthony Michael Dolcimascolo and Karen Marie D'Iorio.

There are eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Cosimo died in World War II. Her husband John Matranga and a great grandson, Bryan, also died.