5 People, 500 Years: West Orange Centenarians Celebrate Birthdays

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A unique celebration took place at a nursing home in West Orange on Wednesday, with five local centenarians getting a round of applause for reaching – or surpassing – their 100th birthdays.

The Stratford Manor Rehabilitation and Care Center on Northfield Avenue hosted the party, which paid homage to more than 500 years of longevity among the honorees.

Fellow residents, family members and staff were on hand to congratulate the five seniors: Hattie Schenck (Oct. 22, 1919), Nancy Martin (July 27, 1921), Carolyn Beverly (June 25, 1922), Harriet Drake (July 23, 1922), and Marie Jerome Pierre (Feb. 7, 1923).

Later, West Orange Mayor Susan McCartney presented the five centenarians with certificates recognizing their birthdays.

According to the town public information officer and local historian, Joseph Fagan:

“It was estimated by the Population Division of the United Nations that nearly 90,000 centenarians were living in the United States in 2021. Current year data is not available but at least five of them now live in West Orange. Population statistics also indicate that the nation’s population is growing older with more people living to age 100 in recent decades. Greater awareness of healthy living habits is credited with the trend towards living longer.”

West Orange town officials put out a call for other local residents who have reached the age of 100. Anyone who knows of a West Orange resident that has reached or surpassed a century of life or who will soon be celebrating their 100th birthday can have their family email squirk@westorange.org. Arrangements can be made for a congratulatory birthday letter to be sent from the mayor’s office to recognize this significant age milestone.

• See Related: East Orange Woman Turns 106; See Her 2 Big Secrets For A Long Life
• See Related: Family Matriarch From Essex County Turns 100
• See Related: Montclair Woman Turns 100: 'Pray, Love, And Have A Sense Of Humor'
• See Related: Newark Woman Turns 100; Here Are Her 'Secrets To A Long Life'

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