Local woman turns 100 years old
By: Matthew Rick
With twinkling blue eyes and a gentle smiling face, Clara Bleecker and her family blew out the candles on her cake.
It was her 100th birthday and she celebrated it surrounded by family and friends at The Cranbury Center in Monroe on Feb. 2.
Ms. Bleecker, who was born on Feb. 1, 1907 in New York City, happily sat between her two children as her presents were opened.
"I’m very surprised I made it to 100!" she said with obvious delight.
Ms. Bleecker spent her first 70 years living with her family in the Bronx, N.Y. At 25 years old, she married her husband, Theodore, in 1932. A few years later, they were blessed with two children, Albert and Barbara, both of whom have families of their own.
Ms. Bleecker never worked outside the home once her children were born, preferring to be a homemaker whose top priority would always be her family.
"We were her career," said 68-year-old Albert during the festivities for his mother.
Albert, his wife, and their two children flew from Tucson, Ariz., to be with his sister and their mother at the celebration.
Although petite and frail in appearance, Ms. Bleecker’s mind is sharp and she stays informed of current events, just as she has done all her life. Ms. Bleecker keeps up on the news through discussions with her family and caretakers.
"She always kept track of current events," said Mr. Bleecker.
Her children said their mother had a kind word for everyone.
"She never spoke badly about anyone," said Ms. Beck, 72, of Monroe.
Ms. Bleecker said she didn’t know what the secret to her longevity is. However, just looking at her and listening to her positive outlook on life, one could certainly see how her attitude has no doubt been a key factor in her being able to celebrate this special day.
"My mother was always upbeat," Ms. Beck said. "She always said she wanted to live to 100."
Ms. Bleecker moved to New Jersey in 1978 to be closer to her daughter after the death of her husband two years earlier. She has lived at The Cranbury Center for almost 2 years. Throughout the years, Ms. Bleecker never drove an automobile, relying solely on public transportation and her own two feet to get around New York. When she wasn’t tending to her family, Ms. Bleecker enjoyed playing piano and reading daily newspapers.
Ms. Bleecker has lived through the Depression, experienced the turbulence of two world wars, as well as countless other conflicts and events which have had significant impacts throughout the world. She can still recall the tough times during the Depression when unemployment soared and bread lines were routine. She quietly spoke of how her parents, who were struggling to earn a living during that difficult time, asked her to move back in with them when she lost her job as a bookkeeper.
"It was very difficult to find any job," Ms. Bleecker said.
Even though she has lived through tough times, her children believe that Ms. Bleecker’s resiliency and good nature have carried her far.
"I am very happy I was able to be with my mother on her 100th birthday," Ms. Beck said.

