CREST HAVEN – In 1917, the year Anna May Goodway was born, the United States entered World War I; the Bolshevik Revolution happened in Russia; women were two years away from obtaining the right to vote, and future President John F. Kennedy was born.
Goodway celebrated her 103rd birthday Feb. 19, at Crest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, with family and a contingent of local officials bearing plaques recognizing her longevity. State Assemblyman Antwan McClellan (R-1st), Freeholder Jeffrey Pierson and Middle Township Mayor Timothy Donohue presented Goodway with proclamations. Joanne Carrocino, president and CEO, Cape Regional Health System, honored Goodway for her years of service at the hospital.
Goodway worked at what was Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital, currently Cape Regional Medical Center. She started her career in the kitchen and eventually became head dietician until she retired.
“There are people working at the hospital who remember Anna May, and they all signed the card for her,” Carrocino said, to Goodway’s apparent delight, as she scanned the birthday card.
Goodway, born in Augusta, Maine, grew up in Traverse City, Mich. and, in 1945, moved to Grassy Sound in Middle Township with her husband, Thomas, and young son, Richard.
They lived there until experiencing their second hurricane in the mid-1950s. Inland Cape May County seemed a safer place to live, and the family moved to Dias Creek. Son Jon was soon added to the family.
Thomas was a jack-of-all-trades who worked in sales and owned a gas station on the corner of Indian Trail Road, in Court House. He also worked at Layre’s Dutch Kitchen, in Villas, and in the machine shop at the local airport.
Goodway has two sons, seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Both sons attended the party. Richard mentioned her love for books.
“She is an avid reader, although it takes her longer to finish a book due to her eyesight. Her favorite author is Margaret Truman. Her memory is so sharp, she will remind you if you borrowed one of her books,” Richard said.
Son Jon said she loved to travel and vacationed in Europe, as well as in her beloved New England states.
“One year, we traveled to Maine to research her family names Petersen and Wade. We even visited cemeteries looking for ancestors,” Jon said.
Goodway communicates with a dry erase board, due to hearing loss, and wrote that her brush with local fame ensued because of her love for reading.
Richard explained that his mother was a faithful subscriber to a local daily newspaper and always had an assortment of local weekly newspapers in her home since she moved to the area.
“In the late 1990s, my mother participated in a circulation marketing campaign for the local daily as a long-time subscriber. Her picture and testimonial appeared in their promotional materials, advertising, rack cards, billboards and radio,” Richard explained.
Jon pointed out that despite poor eyesight and hearing, his mother remains in excellent health.
“She does not take any medications at all. We are very proud of her health, mental stability and sense of humor,” Jon said.
To contact Carl Price, email cprice@cmcherald.com.
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