Medical Center Volunteer From Mount Pleasant Celebrates 100th Birthday

VALHALLA, N.Y. -- Westchester Medical Center's volunteer services team celebrated the 100th birthday of Irene Harris of Thornwood with cake, singing and some of her life stories.

Irene Harris of Thornwood, a volunteer at Westchester Medical Center, celebrates her 100th birthday by blowing out candles. She has volunteered at WMC since 2008 and spends every Monday morning reading to children as part of the Open Book Program.

Photo Credit: Jon Craig

Irene Harris of Thornwood, a longtime volunteer at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla celebrated her 100th birthday on Saturday. She enjoyed her cake a few days early with medical center staff and volunteers.
Photo Credit: *Jon Craig*

Jon Craig

10/05/2016 5:00 a.m.

Harris, who turned 100 on Saturday, drives to the county medical center in Valhalla every Monday to read to hospitalized children.

Her favorite book? "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes."

"It's a delightful story," Harris said. "Every child should know this book."

"I'm not old. That's not happening,'' said Harris, a former teacher and mother of six boys.

"I think I have a wonderful life," Harris said after blowing out candles on her birthday cake. "As I look back, I think, 'How could one have had such a fantastic life?'"

Harris' weekly readings are part of the Open Book Program, which is supported by the Family Service Society and JCY Westchester Community Partners.

Tara Marquis, manager of Volunteer Services at WMC, said that Harris reads to pediatric outpatients as they await their appointments in Cedarwood Hall. She also speaks with parents in an effort to promote the importance of reading and literacy for children.

Harris has been volunteering with the Open Book Program at WMC since 2008.

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