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Cochecton resident celebrates 102 years of life

Posted 7/15/22

Cochecton resident Hilda Rossal achieved a significant milestone earlier this month when she turned 102 years-old.

Born on July 1, 1920 in Newburgh to Otto and Meta Bruning, Rossal and her family …

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Cochecton resident celebrates 102 years of life

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Cochecton resident Hilda Rossal achieved a significant milestone earlier this month when she turned 102 years-old.

Born on July 1, 1920 in Newburgh to Otto and Meta Bruning, Rossal and her family moved to Sullivan County when she was about 14 years-old and her father secured a job at the Iroquois Club, a nearby hunting camp.

“There were five of us kids and that way he was able to keep us all going,” Hilda recalled.

The oldest of five children, Hilda outlived her four brothers - Paul, Bill, Carl and Herman.

As she grew up, Hilda worked as a waitress and found employment in many of the boarding houses that existed around White Lake during that time. She later worked for the Bell Atlantic Telephone company.

Hilda first attended the Broadway School in Newburgh before the family moved to Sullivan County. Once her father got a job at the Iroquois Club, she attended a one-room schoolhouse on Moscoe Road and later graduated from Monticello High School in 1938.

Last month, Hilda gave her 1938 Class Ring as a gift to her great-granddaughter, Taylor Wall, who just graduated from Sullivan West in June.

“I urged all our kids here to go to school and learn all they can. You never know what will come in handy when you get older,” she said. “Learn something new every day. If you only learn one thing you learn a lot.”

After graduating from Monticello, Hilda married Robert Rossal in 1942, and they moved to their own farm on Route 17B.

Farm life agreed with them, and Hilda baled hay, milked cows and tended to the family garden.

“It was tough work, but we enjoyed it,” Hilda said about the farm that has now been in the Rossal family for more than 100 years.

The Rossals were neighbors of Max Yasgur, who famously rented his field for the 1969 Woodstock Festival when 500,000 people descended on Bethel for three days of peace and music.

“I’ll never forget that,” Hilda said. “You can’t imagine all those people who are that close to each other and not having a fight. You never saw a fight among any of them. They were a big, loving family among themselves.”

Recalling Max Yasgur, Hilda said, “he was a wonderful neighbor and he was a man of his word.”

Hilda and her husband had three children of their own - Jon, Jane and Arlene. Today Hilda has many grandchildren and great-children.

Thinking back on her 102 years, Hilda said, “It’s a good feeling. I’m pleased with my life and what I've done.”

Although she has trouble walking or standing for long, Hilda keeps busy crocheting. She enjoys making shawls and lap robes for other people in wheelchairs, which she donates to residents of the Roscoe Nursing Home.

Hilda also enjoys reading novels and completing crossword puzzles.

What’s the secret to living a long life? Hilda says it's good food, good thoughts, sharing what you care about and “bite your tongue once in a while.”

When it comes to advice for young people, Hilda says not to judge too much based on first impressions.

“People can surprise you. They will change your mind,” she said.

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