Happy 100th Birthday, Edna Van Dunk!

Food Service Director Jackie Henry, left, hands red long-stemmed roses to Edna Van Dunk, who celebrated her 100th birthday at New Community Extended Care Facility.
Food Service Director Jackie Henry, left, hands red long-stemmed roses to Edna Van Dunk, who celebrated her 100th birthday at New Community Extended Care Facility.

Edna Van Dunk, a resident of New Community Extended Care, celebrated her 100th birthday with appropriate pomp and circumstance.

The Culinary Cafe was decked out in flowers and pink and white table cloths for Van Dunk, who has resided at Extended Care since 2008. There were red long-stemmed roses, cake, candles and proclamations from the Newark City Council and from the desk of Mayor Ras Baraka.

“Whereas: Edna Van Dunk was born on March 23, 1916, in Brooklyn, the second of six children, and grew up there. At that time, Woodrow Wilson was President of the United States, James Fairman Fielder was Governor of New Jersey, and a dozen eggs cost 34 cents,” the mayor’s proclamation read.

But Van Dunk couldn’t have been more nonchalant. Wearing a royal purple dress and white hat with a bow, Van Dunk chatted with everyone around her and cracked jokes.

“I have a cake? Oh, how nice!” Van Dunk said. “I’m mixed up here with this birthday business,” she added.

Her son, Herbert Van Dunk, 62, a resident of New Community Douglas Homes, held his cell phone to his mother’s ear for birthday wishes coming from far-flung loved ones.

Director of Nursing Veronica Onwunaka believes that Van Dunk’s secret to long life is that, “she has a very carefree attitude.”

Onwunaka contacted the mayor’s office to request a proclamation for Van Dunk’s 100th birthday as part of the city’s longstanding tradition of honoring centenarians.

  Edna Van Dunk’s Life

1916: Born in Brooklyn, New York

1932: Worked as housekeeper

1934: Graduated from high school

1942: Worked with Visiting Nurse Service in

          New York City

1951: Married to Herbert Van Dunk, Sr.

1959: Moved to Newark, worked as licensed

          practical nurse at Newark Beth Israel

1961: Husband passed away at age 40

1977: Moved to Weslaco, Texas, to serve as a

          VISTA

1988: Earned teacher’s certificate, worked as

          part-time teacher at Somerset Street

          School in Newark

1989: Part-time preschool teacher at Quitman

          Street and Spruce Street schools in

          Newark

2008: Moved to New Community Extended      

          Care Facility

2016: Celebrated 100th birthday

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