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Sharing Memories with Liberia Grasso: Just Past the Century Mark & Going Strong

photo provided Liberia as a young woman before her marriage to her sweetheart Rocco.

photo provided Seen here with her daughter in law, Liberia moved to Vermont in 2000 to live near her son and family.

photo provided Celebrating her century mark, Liberia told everyone, "That's it! No more fuss!"

photo provided Liberia holds her great-great grandson Carter, completing four generations of family.

Tuesday July 28, 2009

By Cookie Steponaitis

    Liberia Grasso can’t figure out what the fuss is all about. Just because she was born on October 4, 1905, doesn’t mean everyone needs to get all excited. “I told everyone when I turned 100, that’s it! But here I am 104 still going and still going strong.” She was born in Italy and only one year old when her family immigrated to America. Liberia doesn’t feel her story is unique or worth all the attention. “I have lived in several places,” she remarked, “but none as green as Vermont.” During her long life, Liberia has lived in Philadelphia, Boston and around New England.

    An avid bowler, reader, knitter and golfer, it is hard to imagine that Liberia is over the century mark. She has bowed to age only in the loss of most of her hearing, but keeps moving, is active and loves to discuss her favorite subject, her family. “Family is my heart,” she remarked, “and what keeps me strong.” She is delighted to share photographs of her family, her husband Rocco, son Ralph and his wife Evelyn, grandchildren Katherine, Renee, Patricia, and Peter and great-grandchild Carter and is full of stories about their growth, careers and geographic locations across the country. “It isn’t as easy to get together anymore,” she remarked, “but we keep in touch and see each other quite a bit.” And, just to dispel any possible rumor of her being old or losing her memory she reminded all, “Of course you realize that they are older now than in these photos. I am not certain of their exact ages, but we all seem to get older. It just happens that way.”

    Busily knitting blankets for the premature babies at Fletcher Allen, Liberia is not one to sit and watch the day simply pass. When asked about her longevity and any secrets she wanted to share, Liberia was quite direct. “I have no secrets and no remedies for aging,” she commented. “I simply was always active, worked and was a good eater. I ate anything and to this day there is nothing wrong with my appetite.” Past occupations for Liberia have included sewing by hand in large factories when she was fourteen and working at the silk mill for Carter’s in Boston as well. When she married her sweetheart Rocco, she became a stay at home mother, but also took on her husband’s job when illness required. “Here I was, seven months pregnant, driving the milk truck from Boston to Stowe, Vermont. Many people looked at me, but people didn’t question, because at that time we all did what was necessary to keep the family working.”

    Liberia has lived during the terms of over twenty American presidents and selected Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy as the two who had the most impact influencing her thinking about politics.  “Roosevelt came in during a time in American history when people really needed some help and some change. We had need for a leader and FDR made the leap for us. He offered help and honesty. That was what people needed then. Kennedy, well that was a different time and he was a man who wanted to push the country to a new level. His death actually accomplished all of his goals, but America certainly believed in him and when he spoke, the people listened.”

    Calmly speaking of the events in her life as if they were common place, Liberia still wasn’t convinced that her story required attention of the news. “I’ve told you an awful lot,” she commented. “ It really isn’t anything people would want to read. I just lived my life and it was all about my family.”

    When asked to share any wisdom of thoughts for the next generation on the way up, Liberia was quick to point out two things to avoid. “Avoid the drink and the drugs,” she remarked. “I have seen what it can do to people and they become someone else. They are lost and lose themselves and their way.”

    The interview had to come to a close quickly because Liberia had plans for the day. There was company coming in from Florida and she had some more knitting to finish before they arrived. With a keen eye and a sharp wit, she couldn’t help but send one message to the media. “You know,” she remarked. “It sure would help a person stay current with the world events if you didn’t flash images and words on the television screen so fast. I just get started reading it and it’s gone. Some of us do read a little slower at this point in our lives, you know.”

    Were you to meet Liberia out in the public you might place her at 75 or so. Her vitality, spirit and drive make her stand out in any crowd. Headed for 105 with the same spunk that got her through the last century, Liberia is looking forward and not in reverse. “It’s all about family,” she said as she concluded the interview. “They are the focus and the heart of life, at any age.” The staff of the Valley Voice congratulate Liberia on her longevity, wit and her unfailing ability to remind us all of what makes life memorable.

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