Brighton Beach
100 candles & counting
Bang the drum and shout out the huzzahs to Helen Gennaoui, the Shore View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center resident who celebrated a monumental event on Aug. 8 — her centennial birthday.
Standing O pal Helen celebrated the day with cherished friends, family — including niece Joan Flannigan and great-nieces and great-nephews Jane McClutchy, Bruce Giarratano, Margaret Heath, Robert Lubrano, Araldo Luccioni, and Irene Giarratano — and fellow residents. The staff provided balloons, decorations, and a whopping cake with lots of candles.
Borough daughter Helen was born in 1916, and reminisced to Standing O that she worked several odd jobs in her younger years before marrying the love of her life, George Gennaoui, on July 2, 1952. The pair was happily married for 63 years until George’s death last year.
The couple’s courtship was the stuff of romance novels.
“We would sneak in long walks around the neighborhood, unbeknownst to my dad, who was a very strict father,” said Helen. “We loved to swim, travel, and play tennis.”
Standing O wishes Helen a very happy milestone birthday, and looks forward to giving her a Standing O next year on her 101st!
Shore View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center [2865 Brighton Third St. and Neptune Avenue in Brighton Beach, (718) 891–4400].
