This unlikely friendship never gets old. A 93-year-old woman who has spent years waving and blowing kisses to kids at the Staten Island school across from her home was left speechless last week when graduating fifth graders gave her an unforgettable farewell that’s made the rounds in an touching social media clip. Claire Moccia was overcome with emotion when she emerged from her house last Wednesday to find the scores of children she has watched grow up lining the street outside PS42R-The Eltingville School for their traditional “clap out” ceremony as they chanted “we love Claire.
” “I love those children from kindergarten to graduation,” Moccia told The Post on Wednesday, adding that she has sat by her front window “every day” for years just so they can wave to each other. “It keeps me going. I’m 93 years old.
That’s how I live – looking out the window.” Still, the elderly widow said she was blown away by last week’s heartwarming graduation day gesture from the soon-to-be middle schoolers. Tear-jerking footage posted on the school’s Facebook page captured the exact moment an overwhelmed Moccia had stepped out of her front door and was greeted by the raucous cheers and applause.
“I never expected that,” she told The Post. “I expected them to be waving.” “I could not believe it.
It was so beautiful. I love them all,” she continued. Moccia’s long-held bond with the youngsters started at some point after her husband suddenly died of a.
