For 100 year-old resident Louise McCann, Tuesday, July 19 was a very special day. After living in Secaucus for more than 80 years, she moved to Alaris Health at the Atrium Assisted Living care facility in Jersey City, and celebrated her 100th birthday with friends and a letter of recognition from the Pope.
Then, last month, she passed away. Residents have been remembering her kindness and friendship.
“She lived in same house in Secaucus for 86 years,” McCann’s legal guardian, Monsignor Robert Meyer said. “Her dad bought her the house. She knew no other house.”
McCann was born on July 19, 1916 in Jersey City. At the age of 21, McCann joined the United States Marine Corps during World War II in honor of her brother who had passed away. Her brother had always wanted to join the Marines himself.
Throughout her career with the Marines, she served as an accountant, and later went on to become a secretary upon returning home.
In July, McCann’s 100th birthday was celebrated with a close group of acquaintances gathered by Meyer, a Catholic pastor from St. Peter and Paul Church in Hoboken who visits her regularly. They celebrated with pizza, balloons and a cake.
“She was a wonderful woman who lived full life, and it was a blessing to know her.” — Robert Meyer
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Recognition of McCann’s turning of a century came from many places. Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop issued a proclamation, but Louise also received a rather exciting and unexpected nod from Pope Francis who sent a decree of blessing written on parchment paper. A former representative of the Holy See at the United Nations himself, Monsignor Meyer presented the blessing to Louise on Tuesday, Aug. 2. Meyer recalled that Francis has said, in the past: “Where there is no honor to the elderly, there is no future for the young.”
McCann passed away at the Alaris Health facility.
“She was one of those people who were well read even in last three years of her life,” Meyer said. “I went to visit her once or twice a week, and she remembered everything, and told stories.”
Meyer added, “She knew what was happening around the world, and had an opinion on it. It was nice to be with her.”
Her best friend, Terry Borgano, said, “We used to travel, and she loved everything. She was a good sport who was up for everything.”
“She was a wonderful woman who lived full life, and it was a blessing to know her,” Meyer said.
Borgano said, “She was the most patriotic person I ever met. She was so proud of her country, and her time in the Marines. She loved it.”
Samantha Meyers can be reached at samantham@hudsonreporter.com.