Kids & Family

Ethel Hyler-Yawger Celebrates 100th Birthday at Green Knoll Center

Longtime owner of Spruce Up Cleaners in Bernardsville now lives in Bridgewater.

Tuesday was a special day for Ethel Hyler-Yawger, a resident of the Green Knoll Center, in Bridgewater—the former Bernardsville resident celebrated her 100th birthday.

Hyler-Yawger's daughter Lee Yawger-Magee said her mother was a "proxy grandmother" for many years of her life, enjoying spending time around kids and was often helping others.

"She always reached out to help people and would give you her shirt off her back if it was going to help someone," Lee Magee said.

Ethel lived most of her life in Bernardsville and had once owned and managed Spruce Up Cleaners, which was located on Olcott Square. 

She resided for 21 years at Ridge Oak senior housing, in Basking Ridge, and has lived at the Green Knoll Care center for the past nine years.

Daughter Lee said her mother has changed over the years she's been at the Bridgewater center—initially, she was pretty quiet when she first moved to the center and lived on the first and second floors of the facility.

"Then she moved up to the third floor—I told her she was now in the penthouse," Lee said. "Well, we're not sure what happened, but something flipped a switch and she never stops talking. I think she saved it up for her old age!"

As for Tuesday's party, well, when you've seen a few of them, it's not always so exciting.

"She slept through the party for the most part," her daughter laughed.

Ethel raised two children, the late Jack Reilly and Magee, who lives in Whitehouse.



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