Whiting Woman Enjoys Centennial Birthday

MANCHESTER – Residents and staff of AristaCare of Whiting had the opportunity to wish Maria Buckner a very happy 100th birthday recently.

“I haven’t been here for very long,” she said. “It is very nice,” Maria told The Manchester Times.

Her daughter Mary Schwartz was among the family members present. She said her mother, who only recently moved to the assisted living facility around two months ago, was adjusting well and has had quite a life.

“She came to America from Italy when she was 21 years old. She met my father when he was in the Army and they got married in Italy and she then adopted myself and my brother,” her daughter said.

Schwartz read to her mother the framed proclamation that was put in front of her as she sat, wearing her birthday tiara and sash as the Aristacare residents celebrated along with her.

“This is from the state of New Jersey, the governor (Phil Murphy) in Trenton congratulating you on your 100th birthday,” Schwartz told her. “She is getting another one from the president.”

When asked what her secret was to living such a long life, Maria responded, “you just get old, that’s all.”

Activities Director Joanne Raffele said “We love her. She starts talking in English and then will switch to Italian. She’s so funny.”

Among her hobbies and interests is cooking. “She’s a fantastic cook. She loves to cook and spend time with her grandchildren. She has three grandchildren. She’s a great-grandmother, too, she has three great grandchildren,” Schwartz added.

Schwartz said the family “lived in the Hamilton Township area, Yardville. My father worked in Ewing Township as a short order cook for about 25 years outside Lawrenceville. They retired to Whiting in Cedar Glen Lake about 20 years ago.”

“She’s been pretty much independent until the last two months but prior to that she was very independent and on her own,” Schwartz added.

The party featured a bit of a luau theme but DJ déjà vu (featuring Robin and Michael) kept things entertaining with some Italian songs like “Amore” and show tunes like “Maria” from West Side Story and “All That Jazz” and “Roxy” from Chicago.

Recreation Ambassador Marcy Viano was showing off some of her fancy footwork dancing along with residents of ArtistaCare of Whiting which hosted the event and which included chocolate and vanilla birthday cakes.

Staff and other attendees sang Happy Birthday to Maria who smiled and waved back to them.

Maria’s daughter was very pleased with the outcome and at how happy her mother was enjoying a milestone birthday.