LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Mary Apostle upon the occasion of
her 100th Birthday

WHEREAS, Currently a resident at the Hudson Pointe Center for Nursing &
Rehabilitation in Riverdale, New York, Mary Apostle was born on Staten
Island on February 18, 1913 to Basil Katsaros and Theodora Lagiolas,
Greek immigrants; and
WHEREAS, She attended public schools on Staten Island but left high
school in 1929 to go to work as a hairdresser; in 1930, she met Nicholas
C. Apostle and they were married on January 18, 1931; and
WHEREAS, Mary Apostle continued working during the Depression and the
family moved frequently to different places in New York City; between
1935 and 1944, she gave birth to her four sons, Christos, Basil, Gregory
and James, while living in Hell's Kitchen and then Washington Heights;
and
WHEREAS, In addition to being active in the raising of her sons and
helping her husband in his work as a Funeral Director, Mary was very
active in her church, St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in Washington
Heights, and in her community; she served as an officer in the Philop-
tochos Society, the Ladies Auxiliary, and many other community organiza-
tions; and
WHEREAS, In 1953, the Apostle family moved to Riverdale in the Bronx
where she has remained for 50 years, among other things, serving as a
poll worker until she was in her late 80's; and
WHEREAS, Mary Apostle's late son Christos, who died in 2000, was a
professor at SUNY Albany; her son Basil is an attorney, still practicing
law in New York, and a retired Colonel in the United States Army; son
Gregory is a Funeral Director and owner of the Riverdale Funeral Home in
New York; and James is a Certified Public Accountant in New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, Mary Apostle, in addition, is the proud and loving grandmoth-
er of seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, with a tenth
expected shortly; 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, who has experienced the incredible
joys and sorrows characteristic of and reserved for those with the
stamina and courage to savor a full life, has inspired the lives of her
many friends and family; and
WHEREAS, This beloved lady 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 Mary Apostle upon the occasion of her 100th Birthday; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mary Apostle.