It is not every day that a community gets to celebrate a century of life. On Dec. 7, family and friends gathered at Mamma Lombardi’s in Holbrook to honor longtime Patchogue resident Molly Jankowitz on the occasion of her 100th birthday.
Born on Dec. 8, 1925, Mollywas raised in Brooklyn. An accelerated student, she graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School at just 16 years old. She began her career as a bookkeeper for a handbag company during the height of World War II. It was a time of rationing and resilience; Molly recalls that due to leather shortages, the company had to innovate by manufacturing handbags out of corduroy.
In 1946, she married Irving Jankowitz of Brooklyn. The couple began raising their family in the city before moving to Patchogue in 1964 with their two sons, Martin and Jeffrey.
Upon moving to Long Island, Molly deeply integrated herself into the community. She has been a dedicated member of Temple Beth El since her arrival in Patchogue over 60 years ago. Her career in bookkeeping continued locally at Stanley’s Furniture Store, followed by a long tenure in accounts payable at Cablevision, where she worked until her retirement at age 69.
The centennial celebration at Mamma Lombardi’s brought together four generations of the family. Attendees included her son Martin and daughter-in-law Pamela, along with three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. The highlight of the event was a surprise visit from her grandson Eyton, his wife Sarah, and great-grandson Irv, who traveled from Virginia to surprise the family matriarch.
When asked for her secret to reaching the century mark, Molly credits keeping her mind and body active. She remains an avid reader and completes crossword puzzles daily. She also stays sharp by spending time with her family, participating enthusiastically in family games—which, her family notes, she wins many times.
Mazel tov to Molly on a life well lived!
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