LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Gavina Guadarrama upon the occa-
sion of celebrating her 100th Birthday

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to
the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their past
contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and valuable
asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Gavina
Guadarrama upon the occasion of celebrating her 100th Birthday, to be
held at a party on February 16, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Gavina Guadarrama was born on February 19, 1911, in Hatos
Tejas, which is a small town within the city limits of Bayamon, Puerto
Rico; and
WHEREAS, Being the oldest daughter of Jose and Victoria Acevedo, Gavi-
na Guadarrama had to help care for the large household which consisted
of 10 siblings; and
WHEREAS, After many years thinking she would remain a spinster, Gavina
married Juan (Galfio) Guadarrama, a Merchant Marine; after having their
two oldest daughters, Maria and Honoria, the Guadarramas later emigrated
to Brooklyn, New York, where Gavina gave birth to her youngest daughter,
Rosie, and she has lived there ever since; and
WHEREAS, Although her schooling was cut short at the seventh grade,
Gavina Guadarrama was always available to assist with schoolwork and
teach her daughters how to read and write in Spanish; and
WHEREAS, Gavina Guadarrama's dream was to become a fashion designer,
her sewing skills were impeccable; while she never opened her own busi-
ness, nor progressed beyond sewing for her immediate family, her designs
and talents were always praised and recognized; and
WHEREAS, Gavina Guadarrama worked as a baby sitter and later as a
sewing machine operator; however, most of her career was as a homemaker,
caring for her husband, three daughters and her dog, Baby; she helped
raise and care for her six oldest grandchildren, Alice, Lillian, Yvette,
Sori, Miguel (Papote), and Hector (Cholo); her last grandson, Anthony,
came years later; and
WHEREAS, In 1988, Gavina Guadarrama lost the love of her life, Juan;
they were a year and a half shy of celebrating their Golden Anniversary
when he died on April 20, 1988; and
WHEREAS, Gavina is fortunate that God has graced her with good health
and her full faculties to reach this wonderful centennial; aside from
her three daughters and seven grandchildren, she also has 14 great-
grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, along with one due in
March; and
WHEREAS, Gavina Guadarrama is blessed to have her siblings in her
life, which includes, three younger brothers, one wonderful sister-in-
law, a great brother-in-law, and many nieces and nephews within each
generation; and
WHEREAS, This exceptional centenarian, with her zest for life, has
inspired and enhanced the lives of her family and friends; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished woman has experienced the incredible joys
and sorrows characteristic of and reserved for those with the stamina
and courage to savor a full life; and
WHEREAS, This beloved woman has enriched the lives of those around her
through her joyous and sincere love for others and through the quiescent
charm and wisdom which comes only from a fullness of years; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly recog-
nize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have witnessed
and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and awesome

achievements of this country during the last century, while themselves
contributing to the growth and excellence of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Gavina Guadarrama upon the occasion of her 100th Birthday;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Gavina Guadarrama.