MILL HALL — Reaching 102 years is a rare and special milestone. Mary Louise Graziano, affectionately known as “Aunt Louise” to family and friends, celebrated her 102nd birthday on May 11, 2025. She was born in 1923 to Mary and Dominic Michele.
Graziano fondly recalls her childhood near the Winner Packing Plant, which once stood where the Lucky Seven store is now located off Paul Mack Boulevard. “When cows or pigs escaped, we would rush upstairs to the second-floor porch to watch the chase,” she said. “We’d shout, ‘there they go!’ It was exciting to see the cows run through the alley and down the road.”
Music also played a big part in her early life, especially the songs of Frank Sinatra. Graziano remembers, “We listened to Frank Sinatra loudly, and sometimes Mom had to tell us to ‘shut it off.’” She also shared a special memory of her sister Thomasine attending a Sinatra concert with their mother. “Mom was good that way,” she said.
Graziano grew up with four siblings—Nick, Steph, Mike, Rox—and her uncle’s daughter, Toni Marie. Her niece Hills said, “Aunt Louise took turns taking us on vacation. We always stayed overnight, and going with her felt like a real vacation.”
At her 102nd birthday celebration, family and friends shared old photographs showing treasured family moments. Some pictures included an heirloom rose passed down through generations, her wedding in 1948, and a cherished chocolate recipe.
Mary Louise Graziano’s long life is a testament to family love, joyful memories, and the importance of sharing stories across generations.
