WOODBRIDGE – Stasya Benko celebrated her 100th birthday at her home in Woodbridge on Oct. 20. Her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many friends came to wish her a happy birthday. The celebration included telling stories from her life, sharing memories, looking at old pictures, even playing and singing Stasya’s favorite Polish folk songs – to which she got up and danced.
Benko was born Oct. 18, 1919, in Cleveland, Ohio. Her parents were immigrants from Poland; although born in America, Benko speaks fluent Polish. She was member of a Polish youth choir and Polish folk dance ensemble, and she also did gymnastics/cheerleading when she was young. She married Dr. George Benko in 1945. They moved to New Jersey in 1954, initially in Perth Amboy, then bought a house in Woodbridge, where she currently lives. They have one daughter and two sons.
