Barbara Long and Marion Cronin, who were both born on Feb. 7, 1921, receive certificates of distinction and were presented the Boston Post Cane during a ceremony honoring the two women for being the oldest Rye residents. (Photo Courtesy Town of Rye) 
Barbara Long, front left, and Marion Cronin, front right, hold the Boston Post Cane that was presented to both of them for being the oldest residents of Rye at 102 years old. The cane was presented by the Rye Select Board who stand in the back row. From left are Bill Epperson, Tom King, and Bob McGrath. (Photo Courtesy Town of Rye) 
Select Board Chair Tom King lends a hand to Barbara Long, with the help of Webster staff, as Long stands with the Boston Post Cane during a ceremony recognizing Long and Marion Cronin for being the oldest residents of Rye at 102 years old. (Photo Courtesy Town of Rye) 
Town of Rye Select Board Chair Tom King, Vice Chair Bill Epperson, and Selectman Bob McGrath, present the Boston Post Cane to Barbara Long and Marion Cronin for being the oldest residents of Rye, at 102 years old. (Photo Courtesy Town of Rye)
RYE — Town Administrator Matthew Scruton and the Rye Select Board are pleased to announce that the two oldest living residents of Rye were presented with the Boston Post Cane in a ceremony yesterday.
During the ceremony, Barbara Long and Marion Cronin, both 102 years old and coincidently both born on Feb. 7, 1921, were presented with certificates of distinction and the Boston Post Cane for being the oldest residents of Rye.
The ceremony was held at the Webster in Rye, where Long and Cronin are both residents. Town of Rye Select Board presented the cane to Cronin and Long in front of staff, peers, and family.
Cronin and Long, who have no relation to one another, joked back and forth about being twins, as neither know who was born first. Both women were overjoyed as they received certificates, and were presented with the Boston Post Cane and flowers from the Select Board.
Stories of Long’s life were shared, as she was described as fiercely independent and one of a kind, by Webster staff. Long is a mother of three.
One of Cronin’s children, Dianne Ryan, spoke about how Cronin was born in New York and how she lived in Massachusetts from 1968 up until 2 years ago when she moved to Rye. Ryan described Cronin as a wonderful mother and a creative and artistic individual, even taking fashion and design classes in high school.
Cronin has three children, seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
It was also mentioned that Cronin’s mother was also awarded the Boston Post Cane distinction in Stow, MA years prior. She lived to be 108 years old.
The ceremony concluded with light refreshments provided by the Webster.
“This was a wonderful celebration of these two Rye residents, who looked delighted to received this honor,” said Town Administrator Scruton. “I would like to thank the Webster at Rye for hosting this event. I would also like to congratulate Barbara and Marion on this distinction.”
About the Boston Post Cane
The Boston Post Cane originated in 1909. The Boston Post newspaper distributed about 700 canes throughout New England so that towns could recognize their oldest resident in a ceremony.
The cane is topped with a 14-karat gold head with the inscription, “Presented by the Boston Post to the oldest citizen of (name of town) — To Be Transmitted.”
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