'I'm just a plain citizen,' says Altamont senior

By KATHLEEN LAMANNA- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

For Delia Palombo, receiving a Capital District Senior Issues Forum senior lifetime achievement award honoree for community service came as a shock.

"I don't know what I did to deserve it," said the 94-year old parishioner of St. Lucy/St. Bernadette Church in Altamont.

However, one of Mrs. Palombo's strongest qualities is modesty. Over nine decades, she has taken care of her sick brothers, run a local tavern, served with the Ladies' Auxiliary, donated to and worked for St. Lucy's food pantry, been part of the Knox Fire Company and worked as the town tax collector.

She retired at age 90.

"I'm just a plain citizen," she said. "I like helping people."

The interfaith CDSIF advocates for seniors; its lifetime achievement awards are sponsored annually. This year's awards ceremony will be Oct. 20 at Congregation Beth Emeth in Albany. Two dozen seniors from the Capital Region will be honored; half of them are Catholics.

Mr. Palombo still lives by herself, cooking and doing dishes. An aide and a nurse come in a few days a week; friends bring groceries or just stop by to visit.

Sandy Evans is one of those friends. On a recent afternoon, she talked about having been one of Mrs. Palombo's aides; though she left the care agency, she still comes over weekly to pay her old friend a visit.

Though Mrs. Palombo has a sharp mind, "she always wonders why people fuss over her," Mrs. Evans said. "I think she's amazing."

Mrs. Palombo said she's thankful to have so many good friends. She is the only one in her family still living. Her first husband passed away long ago; she then married Harry Palombo, to whom she was devoted until his passing. Mr. Palombo had five children from a previous marriage; all but one have also passed away.

Mrs. Palombo has countless grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but most of them live far away. The 94-year-old is now devoted to her two roommates: a tuxedo cat named Bratsy and a pug/Pomeranian cross named Gizmo.

"They keep me alive," she said. "If I don't feel like getting up, I have to get up and feed them."

The honoree said she isn't sure why God has kept her alive this long, but she's glad to be here and to not be living in pain, as she's observed many seniors must.

Her secret to a long life?

"I'm stubborn. I think that's what's kept me alive all these years."[[In-content Ad]]