Ingra Silvernail, a resident at The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Barnwell in Valatie, celebrated her 103rd birthday in style yesterday with a celebratory greeting from President Donald Trump, which read: “Happy 103rd Birthday. Congratulations on this wonderful occasion. We hope your heart is filled with joy knowing you have experienced our Nation’s greatest blessings and the affection of your loved ones over a long, well-lived life. We are delighted to join your family and friends in wishing you continued good health and happiness.” Surrounded by family, friends, staff and her peers,
Silvernail, who has been a resident at The Grand at Barnwell in Valatie since February 2018, enjoyed gifts, cake and ice cream, a basket of flowers, a sparkling tiara, a certificate from The Grand, as well as a banner signed by staff and residents.
She was born in Troy and raised surrounded by a large family in locations along the Hudson River. Although Silvernail grew up during the Great Depression, she has happy memories of her childhood working outdoors and spending time with her grandmother in her beloved vegetable garden.
A 1934 graduate of Coeymans High School, she attended SUNY Oneonta for one year. Silvernail left college at age 20 to marry her husband, Dana. She later taught Sunday School at Sidney Baptist Church and volunteered at Sidney Hospital. Silvernail credits her long life to surrounding herself with friends and family and “having a great hairdresser!” Despite struggling with dementia, caretakers say she continues to have a strong grasp of the important things in life!