Family, Friends Help Armonk Woman Celebrate 100th Birthday
By Sarah Bonanno
Before walking over to blow out her 100th birthday candles, longtime Westchester resident Martha Cylman shared her secret to living a century: keep moving. Clyman celebrated her special milestone Thursday afternoon at The Bristal, an assisted living community in Armonk that she moved into last year. She was surrounded by family, friends and The Bristal’s residents and staff. Councilman Stephen D’Angelo represented the Town of North Castle.
“It seems like just yesterday that I was young,” Clyman said. “I can’t think of myself as old. I used to think 100 is old. I don’t feel old. If you don’t feel old, how can you say you’re old?”
Clyman was born on July 2, 1915, to a family of Russian immigrants living in New York City. As a child, Clyman and her family moved to Mount Vernon, where she has many fond memories.
She met her husband, Sam Garrison Clyman, working at her father’s dry cleaning business, Robbins Cleaners, in Mount Vernon. Once married, Clyman’s husband opened a jewelry store in New York City’s Diamond District.
“As a kid, I used to be my father’s chauffeur and then I became my husband’s chauffeur,” she said.
Clyman said her life was filled with hard work and assuming the role of caretaker. As a young adult, Clyman volunteered for multiple organizations that focused on helping the poor.
After spending time as a housewife, Clyman worked for 25 years as a realtor selling homes in Westchester.
“I’ve had a good life, I can’t complain. I always worked hard all my life, but hard work never hurt anybody,” Clyman laughed.
Clyman, who enjoys keeping busy, has pursued various hobbies, including needlepointing bedspreads for her family and traveling with her husband and friends around the world.
She lived in Florida before moving into The Bristal at Armonk.
“Just before I came up here I said, ‘I’m getting older and I want to go back [to Westchester] and that’s why I came back…and I found a few new relatives, too.” Clyman said. “I’m enjoying it, everyone coming to see me.”
Clyman follows her own advice to keep moving on a daily basis, as she remains active, mobile and independent.
“To this day, I take care of myself,” she said. “I took care of family and friends, but I’m 100 and still able to take care of myself.”
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/