theconnectionsnj.com SENIOR LIVING PAGE 30 PREMIERE INDEPENDENT LIVING l ASSISTED LIVING l MEMORY CARE At Mira Vie at Warren, you should expect to be treated like family. With individualized plans and purpose-built communities, our uniquely comprehensive professional support services are provided respecting our residents’ independence and integrity. BOOK YOUR VISIT TODAY! Contact Elyssa at DSM@miraviewarren.com 274 King George Road l Warren, NJ 07059 908.903.0911 l MiraVieSeniorLiving.com Have You Seen eptember 11th, 1924, was not a particularly meaningful day for most of the world, but for our family, it was extremely important. That is the day my momin-law, Eleanor Pierce Mantell, was born. As the matriarch of the family, her birthday was always special because she made our birthdays special. But then, September 11, 2001. That day changed the world, and although we celebrated Mom’s birthday, it was always with a heavy heart. We all mourned the loss of life, of security, or innocence. Unimaginable pain and suffering have been the cornerstone of early September, especially when the weather is clear and bright, just as it was “that day”. Each year, the day begins with the reading of names, the bells clanging to memorialize the hours of attack, the fall of buildings, the tears. Over these past years, the faces of loved ones may have faded, but their brilliance lives on. At one of Mom’s birthday celebrations a few years ago, she remarked she was ready to be finished with her life, mid-nineties was old enough. But as we all know, man can plan, but G-d laughs. And the laugh was on Mom! On September 11th, 2024, Eleanor Pierce Mantell celebrated her 100th birthday, at Mira Vie, in Warren. She has been a resident there for well over 9 years and I have no doubt that is what has kept her healthy and thriving. She had been living a lonely and isolated life, and most importantly to us, she was unsafe. We would never have imagined we would be celebrating her 100th birthday, nor would she have thought the same. Mom celebrated her remarkable milestone with her loving family: her daughter, son and daughter-in-law (me), our two daughters and their husbands, one of our four grandsons and a niece. The other three grandchildren were able to Facetime from college and Mom was thrilled, if a bit confused by the technology. A special presentation by Warren Deputy Mayor, Lisa Lontai, was a highlight. Executive Director of Mira Vie, Cynthia Noda, and her wonderful staff, made certain Mom was acknowledged throughout the day, and she was aglow. My sister-inlaw had a cake made with a photo of her at age 20, a stunning young woman with her life ahead of her. We took photos of a woman who had lived a productive, loving and giving life. Lisa Lontai asked Mom what has changed most over the decades and without missing a beat, she stated, the rights and lifestyles of women. “They can do anything now that men can!” Then, the question of her secret for longevity, and each of us seemed to have an answer. Among the responses was denial of negative thoughts, a good attitude, moderation in all things, and I will add, the spring in her step. My husband then leaned over and told his mom he had done research and the statistics state that 1 in 5,000 live to be 100 years old. Looking up at him she firmly stated, “Well the government or medical community should be doing a better job of keeping people alive longer!” Yes, Mom, you are so right…and those amazing genes are a gift from the heavens. SLICE OF LIFE A Day of Contrasts By Ellyn Mantell At one of Mom’s birthday celebrations a few years ago, she remarked she was ready to be finished with her life, mid-nineties was old enough. But as we all know, man can plan, but G-d laughs. And the laugh was on Mom! S innocence. Unimaginable pain and suf
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