Thursday, October 1, 2026
Though Valley Stream’s centennial is the main event, it’s certainly not a party of one. Valley Stream resident Anna Svirida celebrated her 105-year-old birthday at Monica Village surrounded by village dignitaries, friends, and her daughter Linda Svirida Falco.
Born at the dawn of the Roaring Twenties, Svirida’s early life unfolded during a time of profound change, from Prohibition to the rise of flapper culture and early jazz, signaling shifts toward modernity and social liberation. As she entered adolescence, she faced the harsh realities of the Great Depression and the upheaval of World War II.
As one of the longest-living Americans around, Svirida’s most enduring piece of wisdom, according to Falco is having a strong work ethic. Her life, she says, is a study of resilience. That personal strength became especially evident following the sudden death of Svirida’s spouse, a moment that might have derailed many. Instead, she continued to move forward, maintaining her involvement in the lives of those around her.
For much of her life, Svirida has enjoyed partaking in Valley Stream’s public life, attending parades, concerts, and community events. While age has made those outings more difficult, she remains committed to voting, one of the few civic activities she can still manage.
Longevity, in her view, comes down to a straightforward formula: “eating well and staying active.” Well into her later years, she continues to shop, cook, clean, play Bingo on Monday at Monica Village, and visit with family and friends. She also has a more unconventional take on health maintenance: “Stay away from doctors as much as you can,” Falco says.
Her approach to life is equally direct. “Work hard, and you will be able to achieve your dreams,” Falco says her mother often says.
Even among centenarians, Svirida stands out—not only as someone born before her village was officially incorporated but also as a member of an extraordinarily rare demographic. While reaching 100 is an impressive feat, living to 105 is far more exceptional. For those born in 2019, for example, just 0.4 percent of women and 0.09 percent of men are expected to reach this milestone, making it ten times rarer than reaching 100.
The National Institute on Aging predicts a significant rise in the number of centenarians in the U.S. over the coming decades. However, those who surpass 105 remain a rare and elusive group. Current estimates suggest there are fewer than 100,000 supercentenarians globally.
