Crest Haven Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center resident Mary Agnes Antler will celebrate her 102nd birthday this month. Crest Haven will celebrate Mary Agnes’s birthday today at 2 p.m. with a music show at the Center which is located at 12 Moore Road, Cape May Court House (exit 11 off the Garden State Parkway).
Mary Agnes, who was born on July 28, 1908 in Philadelphia, lost her family to diphtheria and was raised in an orphanage. She was emancipated at the age of 16 and began working at a hosiery factory in Philadelphia. Mary Agnes was married to John and they had one son, John, both are deceased. Mary Agnes has one surviving granddaughter Agnes and a niece Kathleen May.
Mary Agnes and her husband were always on the go while in Philadelphia, taking daily walks to mass and to the grocer. Mary Agnes was born during the papacy of Pope St. Pius X, and her faith has continued in attending mass governed by 9 Popes.
Mary Agnes enjoyed creating embroidery crafts but today spends much of her day watching TV, especially ‘her stories’, in the privacy and quiet of her room. She enjoys ‘Ladies Night’ here at Crest Haven “with the other girls”. Also, Mary Agnes attended her first formal ball, the Crest Haven Senior Prom, two years ago at the age of 100.
Mary Agnes says her happiest memory is being with her new friends at Crest Haven who have become her family. Mary Agnes said, “Everyone is so kind, I just love you all.” Her advice to young people is “be nice, be honest and NO Smoking!”
