Serenades Memory Care Assisted Living Facility opened its doors Monday in The Villages by celebrating one of their resident’s 103rd birthday. Margaret Scarfia, a New Yorker who has called St. Petersburg her home for the last 45 years, celebrated her birthday with three generations of her family, friends, and staff members at Serenades on Monday.
“I don’t feel a day older” said Margaret about how it feels to turn 103 years old. Margaret’s daughter, Rosemary Scarfia, lives in Buttonwood and chose Serenades for many reasons other than its proximity to her community. “More than proximity, this had the best program. My mother enjoys social interactions, parties, and is very quick-witted. The state of the art program they have here addresses all of her needs,” said Rosemary of the brand new facility.
Margaret’s granddaughter (who shares her name) and her daughter Trudy made the trip down from New Jersey to celebrate her birthday and help her move into her new digs. Her family members indicated that Margaret previously had lived independently until the age of 100, while maintaining a job and still using her car until around that age. “She tended bar until she was 101,” said Margaret’s family. When asked of how she reacted when family members relieved her of her vehicle at age 97, Margaret indicated that she would “still be driving” if she had her license now.
The staff at Serenades assisted the family throughout the day as well as the other community members moving into the building during the facility’s grand opening. Festivities were capped off with the release of 103 balloons into the air – a number chosen especially to commemorate Margaret’s special day.
