County’s oldest resident turns 110

Gertrude Faillaci of West Chester turns 110 on Saturday, March 27. Originally from Westchester County, New York, Faillaci has lived through two pandemics, two World Wars and the terms of 20 U.S. presidents.

Faillaci has been a resident of Barclay Friends, a continuing care community in West Chester, for over 8 years. A celebration in honor of her milestone birthday will be held at 3:30 p.m., Friday, March 26, at Barclay Friends. Weather permitting, the community will celebrate outside Barclay Friends main entrance, with

protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 being followed.

Family members and Barclay Friends residents and staff will cheer on Faillaci as she cuts her birthday cake. The party will a dog parade, made possible by the Brandywine Valley SPCA. Invited guests include West Chester Mayor Jordan Norley, State Senator Carolyn Committa and State Representation Dianne Herrin.

In November 2017, she survived the fire at Barclay Friends, which tragically claimed the lives of four residents. Fortunately, Barclay Friends skilled nursing facility, the Cotter Building, where Faillaci resided, was not directly impacted by the fire, according to relatives.

Faillaci has two children, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Her daughter, Gloria Bilunas, says her mother credits her longevity to healthy living, a strong work ethic, including “early to bed, early to rise” and an optimistic outlook on life.

“Gertie” left high school to work in her brother’s drycleaning shop, where she took care of the sewing. After marrying her husband John, the young couple ran a restaurant business. She enjoys cooking, listening to opera and is a selftaught pianist. She loves to travel and frequently traveled with her sister, Lucy.

Gertrude Faillaci