Nothing.
Virginia Forcina made perfectly clear her 90th birthday celebration would include no gifts, a request that paralleled Leslie Gore’s “It’s My Party” although the woman of the hour delivered nothing but appreciation and smiles.
The ultimate gift would be a hot streak by her beloved MLB Philadelphia Phillies, fading in the National League East hunt but still involved in the wild-card race.
Her request made guests comfortable and free from the maddening enterprise of finding a gift for a nonagenarian. Forcina opted for dinner with friends and family on Sunday at Chambers Walk Restaurant in Lawrence Twp.
Daughters Carolyn, a longtime friend, Lori, in from Wyoming and Maryann, a Lawrenceville resident whose son, Marcos, attends Yale and exists as Forcina’s lone grandchild with pride and joy status, made for a special celebration that lasted longer than most weddings.
Forcina’s birthday falls in early January but she opted for a summer party and guests were more than happy to celebrate in August rather than head out in winter temperatures.
Virginia Forcina, a former City of Trenton public schools teacher, remains a family leader 38 years after the death of her husband, James J. Forcina, who served in various Trenton State College administrative roles from 1959 to 1978, including professor of education, dean of instruction, vice president of academic affairs and executive vice president. Their early courtship dates occurred at Yardley CC.
The matriarch offered wonderful insight during an address before a packed Chambers Walk dining room. Forcina discussed making life choices.
“And sometimes we all may lack the experience to know which way we should go but we have to make choices anyway. And we don’t know if we’ve made the right choice until we’ve lived it for a while,” she said.
“In my case, every time I made an important life choice and I looked back — I said, ‘that was the best possible choice I could have made.’ And then I realized that I did not make the choice by myself. I had a God who directed me and guided me to make the right choice. It’s been a good life and I’ve had happiness, satisfaction and many, many wonderful memories. What about the future? I’m going to keep forging ahead as long as I can.”
Mrs. Forcina attributes her quality life to a daily regiment of vitamins, prayer, a crossword puzzle, news watching and an evening date with Alex Trebek and his “Jeopardy” show. (She has regular success answering correctly Final Jeopardy).
Many happy returns.
