Teresa LaPlaca is one of those former employees, celebrating her 95th birthday at the end of February.

LaPlaca’s birthday was Feb. 22, and she spent it with her family at Olive Garden for a surprise party. The surprise included having Angelo Giuffre sing Frank Sinatra songs to her, as Sinatra is LaPlaca’s favorite singer.

LaPlaca was born and raised in Falconer, and her house is still standing on Everett Street. LaPlaca never drove and only had two members of her family that did growing up, and she never really traveled, though LaPlaca would not refer to her life as anything but great. She quit school at 16 to take care of her mother, and married first when she was in her 20s and then again later in life. Both of her husbands have passed, and LaPlaca has two daughters. Reaching 95 years old, she has outlived the rest of her family as the youngest of seven kids, with her mom passing away at 60 years old and her dad at 85.

“It’s an honor,” LaPlaca said. “I never thought I’d make it this far. I’ve outlived my family, and I was the youngest of seven. We all lived within the same block of each other. I’ve had a very good life.”

LaPlaca is pictured during her time working for the Post-Journal.

LaPlaca was also known for going out dancing at The Bullfrog with her friends growing up.

When she worked at the Post-Journal, LaPlaca worked stuffing the papers and running the machine for the TV Guide, and doing a lot of little things like that. She worked at the Post-Journal for about 12 years, and said she really enjoyed her time there and the good friends she made. Family members worked there with her as well, including her nephew Terry Warner, who was her boss, and while LaPlaca said they worked hard for not a lot of money, she really enjoyed her time at her job.

If there is one thing LaPlaca would say about her life, it is that she has had a good one. When it comes to having a long life, her advice for others is to be nice and enjoy it.

“Be nice to people,” LaPlaca said. “Enjoy your life. I enjoy people and being with people, and I pray every day. I depend on God, because if I can’t depend on him then there’s no one I can depend on. I’ve had a good life and I’ve enjoyed it. I enjoyed taking care of my mom, and being with people.”

These days, LaPlaca resides at Chautauqua Colony in Lakewood, who also held a birthday party for her during the week of her birthday. LaPlaca said she also enjoys playing bingo and cards and being with her friends there. She also spends a lot of her time reading books.

Teresa LaPlaca is pictured with her family during the birthday celebration at Olive Garden.

“I have good people in my life,” LaPlaca said. “I’ve enjoyed my life. People should be happy with what they have, and I know I have. I have had good friends and people, and I love to go out and be with people.”

LaPlaca added that being with friends and family is important. Her life has been a happy one, and she said her hope is that others can have that as well.

“Be happy,” LaPlaca said. “Enjoy life. Be with your friends and family. Life is too short, and I was lucky in mine.”

Teresa LaPlaca is pictured with Angelo Giuffre who sang Frank Sinatra songs for her during the birthday celebration. Submitted photo

A collage made for Teresa LaPlaca for her birthday, that now hangs in her room at Chautauqua Colony in Lakewood.