A Holocaust survivor spends her 110th birthday knitting -- the craft that was key to her survival

[Behind the Aegis]

A recent fall meant Rose Girone spent her 110th birthday in a Long Island rehab facility. But nothing could stop her friends and family from giving her exactly the right gift: red wool and brand-new knitting needles.

“Rose cannot imagine her life without knitting,” Girone’s daughter, Reha Bennicasa, 84, told the New York Jewish Week.

Dina Mor, who owns The Knitting Place in Port Washington, New York, was among the guests to join Girone for the birthday celebration Jan. 13 that turned her dear friend, mentor and former employee into a supercentenarian — the official term for someone who lives to 110 and beyond.

“When Rose turned 105, she turned to me and said, ‘I need to retire,” Mor recalled. At 110 and even after a COVID-19 scare, Mor said, Girone still “had it.”

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[hlthe2b]

1. Special lady and a nice story. Makes me want to learn to knit

[Samrob]

2. She has an amazing story.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. Here's a pic of her with her gigantic new knitting needles!

As a knitter (and crocheter) myself, I salute her!!! She made a whole career out of doing that.

(I gotta finish the last couple inches of a crochet throw that I had started and is almost done)

[Hortensis]

4. :) "giving her exactly the right gift: red wool and brand-new knitting needles."

How nice. I hope she's able to remain positive in spite of what she sees happening, and must recognize.

A couple years ago I met another lovely old woman who'd used knitting to survive severe hardship in post-WWII Europe, though she wasn't Jewish. All these years and she was still profoundly appreciative of what life in America had given her and worried at what was happening. No need to explain to her what we had to lose; she made a point of telling everyone who cared to chat.

I met her because she was finally (!) closing her knitting shop in Florida, and I stopped to admire the exquisite pink suit she'd knitted for herself 30 years before and still fit beautifully. It was a sort of classic Chanel style that'd you'd never find in a regular department store and would cost a fortune to purchase. It looked brand new due to fine materials and craftsmanship, and care of course. I hope she's still fine. I know she's happy and hopeful if she is.

[appalachiablue]

5. Remarkable woman & wonderful story, thanks.