ORANGE – Relatives and friends came together at the Premier of Orange Adult Day Care Feb. 23 to celebrate the one hundredth birthday of Acemise Jeunes.
Jeunes, who was born in Haiti Feb. 23, 1910, danced to Motown and reggae tunes supplied by Technique Entertainment's DJs.
About and 150 Day Care patrons and 15 relatives gathered in the cafeteria room to celebrate.
The crowd grew so large that Premier official Sakina Borden had to move some of the food and celebrants to the second floor activity room mid-event. Two other Day Care clients were honored the same day for turning 35 and 65 years old, among 11 February "birthday girls and boys" at the center.
"People are still talking about Ms. Jeunes' party," said Borden. "We usually hold our birthday party of the month on the last day. We moved it to the 23rd this time because it's not often we have someone turn 100."
Borden said Jeunes is a daily patron who takes the center's shuttle bus from her daughter's home in Irvington and has been coming to the center for 30 years.
Jeunes was born to a family of three sisters and a brother in a small Haitian town. She earned a living selling dresses before emigrating to the United States in 1980.
Relatives noted that she is the family matriarch and has three daughters, six grandchildren and a five-month-old great-granddaughter. Her family resides in the Oranges, Irvington, Hillside and Union.
Jeunes' relatives spoke at the celebration, praising her for instilling family and moral values whether they grew up in Haiti or in Irvington. They said Jeunes, who speaks mostly Creole and has limited reading experience, insisted that her children read and finish their homework growing up.
Jeunes was a regular member of the Holy Spirit congregation when she was more physically able to attend.
Jeunes' relatives said she has been praying for her native country since the earthquake struck Jan 12.
"I pray from the time I wake up until I go to sleep," Jeunes said. "I treat people like how I want to be treated myself."
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