Mayor’s Office Presents Proclamation to Beloved Resident of Brick, N.J., Skilled Nursing Facility

BRICK, N.J., Feb. 2, 2022 — Willow Springs Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Brick hosted a celebration with flair for the 104th birthday of Marie Savignano, a resident of the skilled nursing facility and former hat model. Staff and fellow residents donned hats and colorful boas during the festivities and the Mayor of Brick’s Office presented a Proclamation for an annual “Marie Savignano Day.”

“Every one that meets Marie instantly falls in love with her; we affectionately call her our ‘eighth wonder of the world!’” said Willow Springs’ Bianca Sutlovich, director of activities. “Marie lives each day to the fullest, joining in all of our activities and spending time with friends. She’s the first one up and the last one to go to sleep.
Born on January 7, 1918 – the year WWI ended, Savignano had to grow up fast. When Savignano was just 13 years old, her mother passed away. She went to live at her grandmother’s house, where she played a significant role in raising her younger sister. In addition, she got a job at age 14 to help with family finances and held many jobs through the years.

The ever-stylish Savignano worked for a time at a chic store on NYC’s Madison Avenue, modeling hats. She reflects on the 1930s and ‘40s as some of her favorite decades, when she was recently married. Cherished past-times include dancing and spending time with friends, as well as cooking and baking, particularly her specialty sour cream cake. Savignano’s beloved son Joseph shares in her love of cooking, often bringing over homemade meals to enjoy with her.
Healthy aging is of paramount importance to Savignano, who eats plenty of vegetables, chooses fish for dinner on a regular basis and limits junk food. She also counts one glass of red wine with dinner among her secrets to longevity. “Marie is fit as a fiddle!” added Sutlovich.

Located at 1049 Burnt Tavern Road, Willow Springs provides post-hospital care, short-term rehab and long-term residential care. Its specialized programming aims to meet the specific healthcare needs of the local community.

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