Another year, another milestone for longtime New Rochelle resident Alberta Tillman, who celebrated her 102nd birthday last month with friends and family at Dumont Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care on Pelham Road in New Rochelle.
“I am surprised to see so many people here,” said Tillman, who received a certificate of appreciation from New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson’s office. “This makes me feel so good. I feel good because my friends are with me. I appreciate seeing all my good friends.”
Born the youngest of seven children in Lynchburg, Va., Tillman came to New York in her 20s and settled in New Rochelle with her late husband, Robert Tillman. She worked as a housekeeper most of her life and enjoys cooking, especially traditional Southern soul food. Although the Tillmans had no children, Alberta has many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews and even a few great-grand-nieces and nephews.
“She is such a family-oriented woman and one of the best cooks in the world,” said Claudia Ruff, Tillman’s great niece. “Every Sunday we would go to her house for dinner and enjoy the most amazing collard greens, potato salad, you name it. She took care of all of her nieces and grand-nieces.”
Also on hand at the Jan. 31 celebration was Kivu Fuller, the daughter ruler at Elks Empire Lodge Pyramid Temple 45.
“This is my first time meeting daughter Alberta Tillman and it has been an honor and privilege to meet her, not only because she is 102, but because she is a wonderful woman from Pyramid Temple 45,” said Fuller. “Several other daughters here today are also meeting her for the first time and we’re in awe of her spirit and energy. She is alert and has a great sense of humor.”
One reason for Tillman’s unmatched spirit and energy is the time she has spent working with Dumont Director of Rehabilitation Aileen Tubale and her staff. “We take her through various activities and strength exercises,” said Tubale. “She is doing very well, and, to be honest, when I first met her I thought she was 80. I had no idea she was 102 when I met her.”
For Tillman and her family, Dumont has been the perfect fit.
“She came here for therapy and when I saw how well they treated her and worked with her, I realized she had to stay here,” said Ruff. “She has a tiny bit of dementia and stays up nights and nobody I know can stay up all night, so we felt Dumont was the best place for her. I love Dumont.”
Dumont Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care is located at 676 Pelham Road, New Rochelle. For more information, call 914-632-9600.
