101-year-old woman who still works 6 days a week shares four key things she does every day
At 101 years old, Ann Angeletti of New Jersey defies the conventional idea of retirement. While many dream of leisure, she continues to operate her store, Curiosity Jewelers, working six days every week without plans to stop.
Her beloved jewelry store has been a community fixture in Cresskill since 1964. Ann works there from Tuesday through Saturday. On her sixth workday, she drives to New York City’s Diamond District to conduct business and maintain trade connections.
Ann believes this active lifestyle is essential to her longevity. She humorously yet earnestly states, “If I retire, I would die. So I cannot stay home.” For her, work is not a burden but a source of mental and spiritual vitality.
Her strong work ethic was forged in her youth. Growing up in Brooklyn, she left school early to help her family’s grocery store. She later worked at a Navy Yard while her husband served in World War II, learning the value of responsibility and hard work.
In 1964, Ann took a risk by renting a small store for eighty-five dollars a month. That decision established Curiosity Jewelers, which is now a thriving three-generation family business with her daughter and granddaughter.
Ann attributes her long life to a simple philosophy of self-care. She emphasizes the importance of daily routine: “You must get up, you must shower, you must eat, you must take care of yourself. You must exercise.”
Her direct advice to others is to pursue work they love. Ann Angeletti stands as a powerful example that passion and purpose can sustain a fulfilling life at any age, proving that a dedicated heart remains forever young.
