71-Year-Old Teaneck Widow Is College Valedictorian

TEANECK, NJ — A 71-year-old township widow is valedictorian of Bergen Community College's class of 2017.

Marilyn Heiner will be graduated with a 4.0 grade point average and an Associate of Applied Science degree in early childhood education. Heiner's husband died suddenly in 2010. They were married for 37 years.

Heiner will be among the more than 2,000 to be graduated from the college at MetLife Stadium Thursday. She shares a special connection with one of the teams who play home games there, the New York Giants, the school said.

Heiner attended the first and last games at Giants Stadium and 178 consecutive home and away games in between. They broke the streak only when she gave birth to her daughter. She has kept the streak going at MetLife Stadium.

County Freeholder Germaine Ortiz will give the keynote speech at the 48th annual commencement ceremony. It will be the first time a sitting freeholder will give the keynote speech.

Send local news tips, photos, and press releases to daniel.hubbard@patch.com. Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.

Image via Shutterstock