Paramus Resident Celebrates 100th Birthday: 'I Enjoy Everything'

PARAMUS, NJ — Things weren't always easy for Tecla Kern, but she wouldn't change a thing.

Kern, born the youngest of five children in Queens, New York, celebrated her 100th birthday on April 21 at Juniper Village in Paramus, New Jersey, where she currently resides.

"I enjoy everything," she said. "Sometimes it was a challenging life, but it paid off."

Kern, who has served as the president of the resident council at Juniper Village for the last four years, celebrated her birthday with a socially distanced party.

Friends, family and fellow residents were present for the day, which featured a slide show of Kern's "life and travels," as well as a drive-by car parade and special family gathering, Juniper Village officials said.

"She is quite special, a terrific person," said fellow Juniper resident Joan Little. "I’ve known her about six years, and she is very bright, very with it, sweet, lovely, I can’t say enough about her. I am extremely glad people can be recognized at this late age. Too many older folks are ignored."

Little isn't the only resident who Kern has left an impact on during her time at Juniper Village.

"We met on the first day I moved in here and she made me feel welcome. She has become an incredibly special friend," said a resident who goes by Mattie G.

Kern attended Queens College and later, on a scholarship from the Red Cross, attended Fordham University to earn a master’s degree in medical social work, Juniper Village officials said.

She later worked for the Red Cross during World War II at the Naval Hospital in Newport, Rhode Island.

While at the Healthcare Financing Administration, part of the Federal Health Department, she helped implement the Medicare/Medicaid program when it was developed, Juniper Village officials said.

So what's Kern's secret to a life well lived?

"Live the way we want and get along with people."

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