At 103, Little Egg Woman Shares Secrets To Longevity

LITTLE EGG HARBOR, NJ — What's the key to a long life? Two pieces of dark chocolate a day, according to June Stiers, who just celebrated her 103rd birthday.

But workers and fellow residents of Seacrest Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Little Egg Harbor would likely also credit her love of family, strong sense of purpose and work ethic, the center shared in a news release celebrating Stiers.

The kind-hearted centenarian joined the Navy during World War II, working in the telegraph department in Washington, D.C.

“June is a pleasure to have here with us and has such interesting stories to tell,” said Seacrest’s Jacqueline Phillips, director of community relations. “It was our delight to celebrate this milestone birthday with June and her dear family.”

Among the invitees to Stiers' party was Tuckerton Mayor Susan Marshall, who stopped by to wish her a happy birthday.

Born in Chillicothe, Illinois, on December 13, 1920, Stiers grew up in nearby Peoria. She worked at Western Union before joining the Navy, “where she quickly excelled and was called upon to train others in telegraph operations,” according to the news release. After serving for two years, she was discharged in 1945 and went back to work at Western Union.

Stiers and her late husband raised three sons and two daughters. She now has 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Combining her work ethic, love of books and devotion to family, Stiers was a librarian for years at Bradley University in Peoria; her work at the school enabled her children to get a free college education. Stiers is also a self-taught accomplished oil painter.

Located at 1001 Center Street, Seacrest Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center provides post-hospital care, short-term rehab and long-term residential care. The 171-bed skilled nursing facility offers a secure and nurturing neighborhood for those in need of memory care and support. The Terraces at Seacrest Village, a nearby assisted living community, provides a memory care setting for those in earlier stages of dementia. More information on Seacrest can be found at seacrestrehabhc.com.