Celebrating one of RVC’s oldest residents

Maple Pointe’s oldest resident turned 106 last week.

Centenarian Sylvia Davis had two parties — a big one on Friday with a cake live music, while the smaller one on Saturday with her many family members. She has eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, and enjoys seeing them all, especially the youngest ones.

She is the oldest resident in the entire Chelsea Senior Living System.

At the bigger party, Davis received a plaque from Mayor Francis X. Murray. “This is the fourth time I’ve been here for you,” he said. “I’m so happy to see you again, Sylvia.”

Davis was born on March 20, 1910 in the lower east side to Gussie and Max Krieger. She married at 17 to a man who was not a good person. They had three daughters — Arlene, Lorraine and Maxine — and divorced when their youngest daughter was six years old.

As a single mother, Davis raised her three children in the Bronx, where she worked as a bookkeeper for the First Rapids Furniture Company. “I think because they didn’t have adding machines, that’s why she’s so sharp,” said her granddaughter Ellen Diamond.

When asked about the secret to long life, Davis said it was “sleeping.” She added, “I don’t know really how. I’ve seen people at 102. They just fade away. I think you have nothing to say in those matters.”

Her family also said that she always ate well and cooked for herself. They also said she was a liberal politically and always said it was important to vote.