With a Bounce in Her Step and a Smile on Her Face, Regal Pointe Resident turns 103 with a Celebration

Attitude can set the stage and allow for a terrific life-long performance. Emily Cook, resident of Regal Pointe Independent Living, isn’t even close to her final encore, and she is turning 103 years old on February 16. Her journey was not always an easy one, but she persevered through good and bad times.

Faced with adversity at a young age when her father died, Emily and her six siblings all quit school to help support the family. She was 13 and it was the eve of the Great Depression. Not one of her sisters and brothers went to high school. Her memories of those tough times include waiting in bread lines and having a ticket to get gas for their car.

Not afraid of hard work, Emily was employed by Westinghouse, Western Electric and RCA as a factory worker and retired at age 62. She reminisces that her job allowed her the luxury to travel when she had vacation and to build lasting relationships.

Emily married her husband Fredrick in 1936 where they lived most of their lives in Kearny, N.J. He died at the age of 56 from cancer.

Emily moved to Regal Pointe in 2003 and has stayed young at heart and mind through activities, friendships and “enjoying a glass of wine every night.” Whether she is out shopping with her niece, playing bingo with the gals or knitting another masterpiece, Emily’s daily goal is to have fun as long as it lasts.

Regal Pointe is having a celebration for Emily on Wednesday, February 6 at 2 p.m. Local entertainer Jerry Spathis will be performing oldies hits and serenading the birthday girl.