THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, April 18, 2025 Page 3 ~The Advocate Asks~ Abettina Dell’Orfano Morano talks proudly about the 99 auto insurance rating she has maintained after turning 100 Editor’s Note: For this week’s column, we sat down with Abettina Dell’Orfano “Dell” Morano, the newest Centenarian of Saugus, who celebrated her 100th birthday on March 20. She is the youngest of 11 children of Italian immigrants who moved to East Boston, where she was born in 1925. She is a 1943 graduate of Tewksbury High School. She was a certified licensed phlebotomist and also worked as a medical assistant, before going to work at the Registration Board of Medicine for Doctors and Nurses at the State House in Boston. She retired from that position in 1959, when she had her first son, David. About a year later, she had a second son, Philip. Both sons are Saugus High School graduates and went on to earn college degrees at Northeastern University. She has two grandchildren. Her late husband, Anthony, served in the U.S. Navy in World War II. Dell maintains a remarkable and independent lifestyle for somebody her age. She still drives a car, shops and cooks for herself. She once was a professional bowler and bowled for fun up until last year. During her spare time, she works on a computer writing stories. It was a son’s gift of a computer that launched her writing career late in life. She is the author of “Fading Shadows: An Immigrant’s Tale of Life in America,” a novel that’s based on a true story (Oct. 31, 2014). She’s working on a second book, “Reflections of Fading Shadows.” A woman of great faith, she is a member of First Parish Congregational Church in Wakefield. Highlights of this week’s interview follow. Q: How long have you been driving and what was your first car? A: Since I was 16. In 1951 I got my first new car: a Chevy Bel Air. I would drive to the BelAire Diner on Route 1 to show off my Bel Air. Q: What color was it? A: It was a two-tone color: black and white. Q: You’ve been driving a long time. A: Yes, I like driving. One time I drove to Chicago with my sons to visit my sister. I used to introduce my boys to all types of travel. The first time we went A HAPPY CENTENARIAN: Abettina Dell’Orfano Morano relaxed as she reflected on the highlights of turning 100 during a recent interview in her apartment at the Janet M. Leuci Building in Saugus. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) to Chicago, we flew. The second time, we took a sleeper train. And the third time, we drove. I was young and daring. If you talk to the boys – we lived in the car. Q: Are you a pretty good driver? A: Yes. I have a 99 rating. [A 99 rating in auto insurance means a driver has six years of clean driving experience and is considered an excellent driver who is eligible for good driver discounts.) But right now I don’t drive half as much as I used to. I don’t go out at night. I don’t go driving to any supermarkets. I just drive nearby. Q: What kind of car do you drive now? A: A 2000 Toyota Celica GT. On July 7 it will be 25 years old. Q: How many miles does it A PROUD MOM: Abettina Dell’Orfano Morano, flanked by her two sons, Philip (left) and David (right), celebrated her 100th birthday. She regards the sons as the best accomplishments of her life. Both are Saugus High School graduates who went on to receive their college degrees at Northeastern University. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) have on it? A: 108,000 miles. I’ve had a lot of cars over the years. I started off with the Chevy Bel Air. I had a ’98 Oldsmobile that drove like a Cadillac. I’ve had a lot of Toyota Camrys. This one is the last one I bought – a Toyota Celica GT. Q: I see you are still a registered voter. ASKS | SEE PAGE 19 50 425r Broadway, Saugus Located adjacent to Kohls Plaza Route 1 South in Saugus at the intersection of Walnut Street We are on MBTA Bus Route 429 781-231-1111 We are a Skating Rink with Bowling Alleys, Arcade and two TV’s where the ball games are always on! PUBLIC SKATING SCHEDULE 12-7 p.m. Sunday Monday Tuesday $10.00 Price includes Roller Skates Rollerblades/inline skates $3.00 additional cost Private Parties 7:30-11 p.m. Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday $11.00 Price includes Roller Skates 18+ Adults Only After 7 PM - ID Required Private Parties Private Parties 4-8 p.m. $10.00 8:30-11 p.m. $11. 18+ Adults Only After 7 PM - ID Required 12-9 p.m. $10.00 Everyone must pay admission after 6 p.m. Sorry No Checks - ATM on site Roller skate rentals included in all prices Inline Skate Rentals $3.00 additional BIRTHDAY & PRIVATE PARTIES AVAILABLE www.roller-world.com
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