EMERSON—Happy birthday and congratulations to Ruth Maceluch, who turned 102 on Nov. 29 and who, on Dec. 5, was recognized with a day in her honor.
Mayor Danielle DiPaola posted on Dec. 12 that although Mrs. Maceluch was unable to attend the meeting, her grandson, Steven, was on hand to accept the borough’s proclamation on her behalf.
“Many Emerson residents continue to live vibrant and active lives after reaching the 100-year mark and we are always grateful and happy to celebrate their life and history,” DiPaola said.
Certainly in Mrs. Maceluch’s case there is plenty to celebrate.
The borough noted Mrs. Maceluch, a resident of Emerson for more than 50 years, was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on Nov. 29, 1921. her parents, Hans and Barly Hansen, who immigrated from Norway to the United States, “instilled in her strong patriotic love, strong religious beliefs, and incredible work ethic that made her the woman she became,”
Young Ms. Hansen endured the struggles of the Great Depression and World War II, and “demonstrated her love for her country as a civilian—she sought employment at Camp Shanks in Orangeburg, N.Y, as she worked at the hospital in the registrar’s office. She excelled in her work by receiving exceptional evaluations and promotions.”
And through her dedication and hard work she rose to take charge of of both civilian and military personnel and worked at Camp Shanks until the end of World War II as the camp downsized into housing for the returning soldiers.”
A Hudson Valley Magazine profile from 2015 explained Camp Shanks served as a staging area for troops departing the New York Port of Embarkation for overseas service during World War II. Dubbed “Last Stop USA,” the camp housed approximately 50,000 troops spread over 2,040 acres and was the largest World War II U.S. Army embarkation camp, processing 1.3 million service personnel, including 75% of those participating in the D-Day invasion. In 1945, Camp Shanks also housed German and Italian prisoners of war.
After the war, says the magazine, old barracks buildings at Camp Shanks were converted into housing for veterans with families attending colleges and universities in the New York City area under the GI Bill; the settlement, then known as Shanks Village, closed in 1954.
The borough said Ruth married Demko John Maceluch, a Silver Star and Purple Heart recipient, on July 12, 1945. They moved here from the Teaneck and Fort Lee area.
Ruth and Demko Maceluch became the owners of the Pascack Valley Bake Shop on Kinderkamack Road. “Ruth managed the business and the bakery became a big success, producing the best baked goods for over 20 years.”
Mrs. Maceluch continued with her charitable work by volunteering to church and school board activities, which she enjoyed immensely, “and blazed her trail, which demonstrated to other women that they can excel in whatever they wanted and to follow their dreams.”
Demko, born Aug. 14, 1918, died Dec. 29, 1985, at age 67. His obituary reads, “Before retiring in 1977, he was a master baker and owner of the Pascack Valley Bake Shop in Emerson for twenty years. He was a World War II Army veteran and was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart. He was a member of the Church of the Seventh Day Adventists, Hackensack.
“Surviving are his wife, Ruth Hansen Maceluch; two daughters, Sharon Smith of Emerson and Pauline Traversi of Succasunna; and four brothers, Walter of Queens, John of Brooklyn, Frank of Manchester Township, and Steven of Brooklyn.
The proclamation says “Ruth Maceluch has led her life in a manner that brings honor to the Borough of Emerson and the Borough is fortunate and privileged to celebrate her special day with her and to wish her a very happy birthday.”
With a flourish, the proclamation reads, “NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor of the Borough of Emerson, that we acknowledge and applaud the life of Ruth Maceluch—a life that has been and is still one that is admired by all for her outlook and joy for life. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Dec. 5, 2023 is hereby proclaimed RUTH MACELUCH DAY.”