The younger birthday girl is 100

Jessica Ablamsky

Mind your own business.

That is the advice Great Neck resident Helen Cline dispensed at her 103rd birthday party, when asked about her secret to a long life.

Fellow birthday girl Mary Cumba, 100, told the eager audience of friends and family that her secret was “very easy living.”

“I always respected people all the time,” she said.

The joint birthday celebration was held at Grace Plaza Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Great Neck on April 21 for the residents whose birthdays are only one day apart.

The mood was jovial, with pictures of the birthday girls hanging from the ceiling between happy birthday flags and ribbons.

As cake was distributed, a recreation staffer sang a rousing rendition of easy listening classic “Celebration” by Cool & the Gang.

“I don’t care how old you are, you love your birthday and someone making a big deal about it,” said Director of Recreation Diane Sabella. “Last night Helen was at the front desk insisting that she had the first haircut in the morning. Mary was all excited. She doesn’t usually get her hair done, but she said, ‘Oh I have to for this.'”

“I think this is very special that we have two women, one turning 100, one turning 103,” Village of Great Neck Plaza Mayor Jean Celender said, before presenting proclamations wishing Cumba and Cline happy birthday and declaring successive weeks in their honor.

Cline was born in Astoria in 1908 and has lived at Grace for eight years.

“She likes a little red wine and a little chocolate,” Sterling said. “Okay, a lot of chocolate.”

Cline met her husband Robert while working as a secretary for The New York Times.

“He was so handsome, I couldn’t believe he was interested in me,” she said, according to a poster in her honor.

“I think she is the most beautiful 103-year-old lady I have ever seen,” said Cline’s niece, Audrey Burns.

Born into a family of 11 children, Cumba has four children, six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren to her name.

“Grandma’s wonderful,” said her granddaughter Lilian Dima. “She’s always been kind and incredibly strong. I think she has inspired not only my family but many other people as well.”

Until recently, Cumba lived on her own in an apartment in the Bronx.

“I think she was strongly opposed to moving, but I think she’s really happy here,” Dima said.

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