Hostess still going strong and working at 95

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For older Americans, the pandemic was especially difficult. Many felt alone and purposeless during the lockdowns and had to be extremely careful to avoid contracting the deadly Covid-19 virus. After over a year and a half, many are excited to return to normal life, but 95-year-old Mary Ann Sherry wanted to go the extra mile and get back to work at Oceanside’s Jordan Lobster Farms in Island Park.

For the last four years, Sherry has worked a few nights a week as a hostess. For anyone who knows Sherry, it should not be a shock that she ended up back at a Jordan Lobster Farms. The restaurant business has been in her blood since she was a child, when she worked in one of Rockville Centre’s first pizzerias, owned by her family.

Steve Jordan, owner of Jordan Lobster Farms, and Sherry have known each other for decades. Jordan attended school with her daughter, Michele. When Sherry’s husband, Frank, died three years ago this Veterans Day, she started looking for activities to keep her busy.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Sherry found new ways to stay sociable. She went to Mass every day at St. Agnes in her hometown of Rockville Centre and cooked and sent food over to Jordan.

“If you don’t use it, you lose it,” Sherry said. “You sit at home, and it’s the worst thing for you.”

Her philosophy has kept her plenty busy for years, but it has been essential during the pandemic in keeping her mind sharp. After having to stay away during the pandemic, Sherry returned to the delight of her young co-workers about a month ago. You can see it when the faces of all the waiters, waitresses and other hostesses light up when they see Sherry. You can even see it in positive Yelp reviews for the restaurant. One review from user Margaret M. reads: “Mrs. Sherry is a delight!”

“People come back asking for her,” Jordan said. “She’s great. She seats people and talks with them. She’s so nice, and they love her.”

“I like talking to people,” Sherry said. “I was in sales, and they used to ask for me because I had the patience for them.”

It’s has been a team effort, too. Since Sherry does not drive anymore, her daughter Michele Sherry Mosca, a real estate agent at Coldwell in Long Beach, and her friends have made sure to get her to work for her shifts.