Family, Briarcliffe community celebrate resident’s 100th birthday

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Mary Polchlopek Piekut is indeed a living legend, on several fronts.

Beginning with last Friday’s party – and others during the weekend – she celebrated a marvelous milestone, her 100th birthday.

“Mom was born on Oct. 22, 1914, in New Bedford, Mass.,” Piekut’s son Tom said during the gathering at Briarcliffe Gardens, where staffers and residents honored her with a special cake and the singing of “Happy Birthday.”

“She lived there all her life until 2003 when, at the age of 89, she came to Rhode Island to be closer to our family.”

Mary also had a long career at a legendary Massachusetts manufacturer, Acushnet Company, where Titlist golf balls are made. She is also a graduate of New Bedford High School.

“Mom was a talented seamstress,” said Tom, who along with wife Joan also hosted a gala 100th birthday bash for Mary last Sunday at their home in East Greenwich. “She also enjoyed crocheting and knitting.”

Mary has also always been proud of her Polish heritage, and speaks Polish fluently.

“She enjoys giving impromptu Polish lessons to those who will listen,” Tom said. “And like today, she always has a great smile.”

That smile really surfaced last Friday when chef Gennaro Celro came walking out of the Briarcliffe Gardens kitchen carrying a huge sheet cake that wished Mary a special “Happy Birthday.”

Mary was married for more than a half-century to the love of her life, Alphonse Piekut, who passed away in 1989. The Piekuts had two sons, Tom and Al, the latter of whom traveled with his wife Dolores from their home in Vienna, Va., to celebrate Mary’s milestone.

Mary has four grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, three great grandchildren and two step-great grandchildren who also came to last Sunday’s party from their homes in Virginia, Georgia and Rhode Island.

“She really rallied for the party,” Joan Piekut said. “We had a house full of people from all over the place.”

Mary has been a resident in Johnston for the last four years, when due to age and disability she came to live at Briarcliffe Gardens.

“Mom is happy and well cared for by the able and caring staff here at Briarcliffe,” Tom said. “They made her day special for sure.”

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