Brick Woman Has Danced, Bowled And Knit Her Way Through 100 Years

BRICK, NJ — Edith Sarica has never let the grass grow under her feet.

Sarica, who prefers to be called Edie, marked her 100th birthday on Tuesday with a surprise party thrown for her at Brandywine Living at the Gables in Brick.

Edie, who has been a resident at Brandywine Living since October 2020, was feted by family members and the staff and her friends at the facility, the staff said. She also received a proclamation from Brick Township Mayor Lisa Crate honoring her milestone.

Edie's parents and grandparents came to New York from Italy and settled there. She was born on Staten Island on Nov. 7, 1923.

When she was 5 years old, her family moved to an apartment in Harlem that was heated with kerosene heaters in the winter, and in the summer she would sleep on the fire escape to keep cool. Her family moved to Linden when Edie was 8 and she grew up there.

She was roller skating in Elizabeth when she met the man who became her husband. Edie and Joe married in 1944 and the couple raised four children, and has eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. One daughter has passed away, her family said.

Edie and Joe never stopped moving through life, and dancing was one of their favorite activities. In their 60s the couple beat more than 500 contestants and won a dance competition in New York called Champion Dancers.

They also were tournament-winning bowlers who competed in a league and acquired a large collection of trophies to their accomplishments.

Edie continued bowling three times a week into her late 80s, her family said.

"They had an exciting and active lifestyle with a love for traveling. They visited Bermuda, St. Maarten, various islands and took many cruises," the news release from Brandywine Living said, including a cruise to mark their 25th anniversary that was a gift from their children.

Edie and Joe renewed their vows on their 40th anniversary, and celebrated three more years together before Joe died in 1987, her family said.

Edie doesn't dance as much these days but loves to knit and crochet and takes part in the various programs for residents at Brandywine Living, the staff said.

What's her secret to longevity?

"Keep yourself active until you have to stop," she said. "Don't stop working until you need to. Watch what you eat. Keep busy!"