Gal pals Ruth Schwartz, Lorraine Pirrello and Edith “Mitzie” Moscou like to spend time together doing gentle exercise, playing board games and reminiscing about old times.
But this week, these golden girls have an extra special reason to enjoy each other’s company.
They are jointly celebrating the remarkable achievement of turning 100 within days of each other.
Born in June 1921 — the same month, over at Yankee Stadium, Babe Ruth broke the career home-run record — the Manhattan residents can hardly believe the milestone they share.
“I never thought I’d reach this moment, but the years kind of crept up on me and here I am,” laughed Schwartz, a graduate of NYU who spent her career as a special needs teacher.
Her birthday is on Tuesday, three days after Moscou’s and three days before Pirrello’s.
They will attend a series of parties thrown by friends and family, but were also recently treated to a fun fête at Atria Senior Living, the place the women call home.
Staff at the Upper West Side facility on 86th Street near Riverside Drive put up banners and balloons before singing three renditions of “Happy Birthday.” Slices of a giant cake topped with candles were washed down with Champagne.
The occasion was particularly poignant for Pirrello, as she was able to reunite with her niece, Jeanette Fiorie. Until now, due to the pandemic, Fiorie had only been able to talk with her aunt on the phone or through Zoom.
“I used to only have my meals in my room,” said Pirrello, who, along with Schwartz and Moscou, has since been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. “I didn’t like it. But I’ve got my independence back now.”
An accomplished opera singer who performed at the Met, she will be treated to a birthday lunch at Carmine’s attended by friends from the New York tennis circuit.
Pirrello was well into her 90s before she hung up her racket, switching her interests to bridge. She credits her longevity to pursuing her passions.
“Do what you love … and commit to it,” the mezzo-soprano advised younger people. “It should bring you tremendous joy.”
Asked about the formula for a longer life, Moscou suggested “making the best of each day.” The retired manager, who worked in the office of her husband, an attorney, feels “wonderful” about turning 100.
“I’m very happy I made it this far,” she said. Referencing the coronavirus, Moscou said: “I am very fortunate to have skipped over all the sickness, to survive.”
Meanwhile, the pandemic had separated Schwartz from her son, Andrew, for nearly two years. Mercifully, that estrangement ended Saturday, when he arrived from California for his mom’s 100th birthday bash.
“It will be marvelous to be surrounded by my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren,” Schwartz said ahead of the reunion.
When she’s not partying, the bon vivant keeps herself busy attending “all that New York offers,” such as opera recitals, lectures and outdoor concerts.
“I have my mind and my health,” Schwartz concluded, “and I’m very grateful for those.”
