Concetta Bia celebrates 100 years

NORWALK - Norwalk resident Concetta Bia celebrated her 100th birthday last Wednesday at Southland Assisted Living Facility.Concetta was joined by friends, family and staff members in a festive party, during which she was presented with a certificate from Norwalk mayor Mike Mendez. Karien Zachery, former member of The Amazing Platters, provided entertainment. Concetta was born in Pacentro, Italy, on May 18, 1911 to Onorato Pacella and Angelina Angelilli Pacella. Shortly after her birth, her father immigrated to the United States and settled in the small town of Jeannette in western Pennsylvania. Five years later, Concetta and her mother followed. Concetta lived in Pennsylvania until her marriage to Melise Bia in the early 1940s. She then moved to Downey, where she lived until 2006, when she moved into Southland Assisted Living Facility in Norwalk. Concetta said she has always thought of California as home and never considered moving back to Pennsylvania, event after the death of her husband in 1963. She lived independently in her home on Cleta Street, still driving her 1985 Chevy until age 95. Following her retirement from the Newberry Company in 1966, she was active in many senior citizen clubs in Downey and Pico Rivera. She is one of four children - brothers Albert and Guerino, and sister Lillian, all deceased. Concetta is a member of St. Raymond's Catholic Church.

********** Published: May 26, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 6