October 21, 2005

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Publication Date: Friday, October 21, 2005

Birthday party for centennarians

They got birthday cards from the President and the Governor. The Vintage Brass Quintet helped them celebrate their 100th year of life in style. Middy Cassano and Ivadell Bennedetti both observed their 100th birthdays this month at Eden Villa.

Asked how she's handled the trials of life, Cassano said, "We always went to church and had strong faith in God." Having God in their hearts is the advice she has for young people.

Although things have grown a bit fuzzy for Benedetti, say caregivers, Cassano remembers well her girlhood growing up the third of nine children in Mount Sterling, Penn.

Her father died in the great flu epidemic of 1918. Cassano's formal education was put on hold as each member worked to support the large Cassano family.

Benedetti's grandson, Lyle Wright, 36, is a lifelong Pleasanton resident. His mother, JoAnne, 67, lives in Pleasanton but teaches at Mt. Eden High School in Hayward. JoAnne is Benedetti's only child, but has two step siblings.

Cassano would meet and marry her husband, Luigi - known to friends and family as 'Jay' - in 1920. Their marriage lasted 69 years, until his death, and produced three daughters.

Cassano came to Eden Villa in 2002. She has 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and, so far, two great-great-grandchildren. Despite her lack of formal education, Cassano is an avid reader.

Lyle said Benedetti was born in 1905 on her mother's birthday and parents' first wedding anniversary, Oct. 18. She has been an Eden Villa resident since 1999 where she enjoys playing Bingo. -by Carol Bogart

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