Evesham resident Frances DiLodovico was celebrated for her recent 104th birthday with her friends at the Marlton Senior Citizen Club.
It was “Happy Birthday” and “may you have many more” for Evesham’s Frances DiLodovico, who recently turned 104.
Members of the Marlton Senior Citizen Club, where DiLodovico is an active member, honored their fellow club member during the club’s regular meeting this week.
DiLodovico was born in Philadelphia on Aug. 12, 1914 as the first of four children to parents Angela and Joseph Christinzio.
When DiLodovico was a young girl, she and her family then moved to a farm in Atco.
DiLodovico continued to grow up in the area, eventually marrying Louis DiLodovico to enjoy 62 years of marriage.
The couple had one daughter, and the family eventually moved to Wildwood in the 1950s, where DiLodovico and her husband remained until he passed away in 2001.
DiLodovico also had a healthy career, as she worked for Amalgamated Clothing Workers until her retirement at age 63.
In addition to her one daughter, DiLodovico has two grandsons, three-great grandsons and one great-great granddaughter.
In 2001, DiLodovico moved to Evesham to live with her daughter, and soon after she became a member of the Marlton Senior Citizen Club.
When asked for thoughts on how she lived such a long life, DiLodovico pointed to her upbringing on her family’s farm.
It was there where her mother would make homemade bread and her family raised animals such as chickens, a pig and even a goat.
“I grew up on a farm and we just ate what we grew,” DiLodovico said.
DiLodovico’s good health and sharp mind for her age also haven’t gone unnoticed by her friends with the Marlton Senior Citizens Club.
DiLodovico been active in the club for the past 16 years, with fellow members saying that DiLodovico is in better health than even some of the club’s younger members.
“We’ve been at lunches together and parties together, and she’s also been a lot of fun,” said club member Nellie Bucci. “She’s great for her age and I kind of envy her.”
Club member Mickey Hreha, who has sat at the same club table as DiLodovico for many years, also said DiLodovico is full of energy.
Hreha said DiLodovico may be hard of hearing and recently had to start using a cane, but she said DiLodovico still has more pep and energy than any other member of the club.
“She uses high heels, not the real high ones, but she uses heels and dresses like a model. She has a lot of stories that she can tell us,” Hreha said.
Also on hand for this week’s club meeting was Monica Vandenberg, Evesham’s Director of Public Affairs and Senior Services.
Vandenberg presented DiLodovico with a special proclamation from the township’s mayor and council to honor her birthday.
“The Township Council of the Township of Evesham wishes to honor Frances DiLodovico on her longevity and congratulate her on all of her personal compliments throughout the past 104 years,” Vandenberg said as she read from the proclamation.
The Marlton Senior Citizen Club meets regularly at 11:30 a.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month at the Gibson House Community Center, 535 E. Main St. All are welcome to attend. For more information, call club president Carol Dmytrow at (313) 405–5979.
