Millie Gibboni - A Fun Life

What an inspiration it was to meet Millie and her daughter. Millie is 96 years young, and was born in Glenside, PA in 1912. Millie was one of seven children, all boys but her. It is no surprise that Millie describes herself as a tomboy, and that sports is her lifelong passion. In fact, Millie wanted to be a gym teacher when she grew up and was planning to attend Beaver College. When Millie’s mother became ill, Millie wanted to stay with her to help her recuperate so gave up her college plans. Her mother did recuperate, and subsequently Millie married the love of her life.

Millie met her husband at Abington High School, where they were both students. It was not a case of love at first sight, and they were friends first. They shared a love of sports, travel, bridge and good homemade Italian food. The secret to a happy marriage that lasted sixty five wonderful years before Millie’s husband died from leukemia - never go to bed angry! Millie’s husband’s love of her cooking may have helped too, he would kiss her after a great meal and say, “You cook such great food, you make me happy”. Three beautiful daughters came of their union whom they raised in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. Then three wonderful sons-in-law joined the family. Millie feels her sons-in-law could not be any better people than if she raised them herself. What a tribute to Jim Bolger, Charles Aldred and Earl Knaus! Millie now can brag that she has nine grandchildren, twenty-three great grandchildren and has recently added a great-great grandchild to the list.

Millie’s parents were part of the great trans-Atlantic migration to America and hailed from Sicily. Millie’s father was trained as a stone mason and worked in Sicily for his father’s business, Cristaldi and Son. When he immigrated at age eighteen he practiced his trade and eventually became a builder in Glenside, PA. Millie’s mother made the voyage to America alone at age eleven and became very ill with diphtheria during the trip. She had to wait at Ellis Island until she became better to be able to join her brothers. Her brothers had her live with them to take care of their children while they worked. When Millie’s father fell in love with Millie’s mother he was forced to choose—Millie’s mother would not return to Italy and Millie’s father’s family wanted him to return home to Sicily. Millie’s father married Millie’s mother and stayed in America, and was disowned by his family in Sicily.

Millie and her husband bought a house in Ocean City in 1956 on 2nd Street. They retired to 2814 Wesley Avenue before heading to Port Charlotte, Florida where they enjoyed 30 years of crabbing, boating, tennis, swimming, golf and visiting racetracks. Did I mention that Millie can knit, crochet and sew? And that she could walk to Lord and Taylor when she lived in Bala Cynwyd?

Millie derives her enthusiasm for life by appreciating the sunset, flowers, nature and by embracing life fully. Her philosophy on aging is “If you don’t grow old that means you died young.” Millie’s room and shelf outside her door holds treasured family photos that bear testament to a life well lived thus far, with more chapters and great-great grandchildren to follow.

Written by Linda Pustizzi, volunteer