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Jaffrey resident Eleanor McQueen receives the Boston Post Cane, reserved for the oldest resident in town. -
Eleanor McQueen, with her son David McQueen on Facetime, as she receives her Boston Post Cane. -
Eleanor McQueen and her daughters Patty McQueen and Claudia McQueen and son-in-law Sam Mukasa. -
Eleanor McQueen is presented the Boston Post Cane by Select Board members Frank Sterling and Charlie Turcotte and Town Manager Jon Frederick.
Jaffrey has awarded its traditional Boston Post Cane – held by the oldest resident in town – to Eleanor McQueen, who is about to celebrate her 99th birthday.
The ceremony was held on Feb. 20 at McQueen’s Jaffrey home, with the cane presented to Eleanor by the members of the Jaffrey Select Board. McQueen’s daughters, Patty McQueen and Claudia McQueen, were in attendance, as was her son-in-law Sam Mukasa. Her son David McQueen attended by Facetime.
“That I’ve reached an age to be singled out for this is pretty special. I’m very flattered to be receiving it,” said Eleanor.
Originally from Connecticut, Eleanor met her husband, James McQueen, while the two were attending Columbia University together. James was getting his engineering degree, and Eleanor pursuing an advanced nursing certificate. The two had three children together, and when the children were teenagers, moved to Jaffrey in 1970. Eleanor’s daughter Patty joked that still makes them newcomers.
Eleanor was a registered nurse who worked at Monadnock Community Hospital, but was also active in civic life, Patty said. She was active in St. Patrick’s Church, and with the Jaffrey Civic Center, including serving on the board. She and her husband were also active in supporting and campaigning for Democratic candidates, and in November, made her way to the polls to cast her vote for Kamala Harris.
McQueen is also a calligrapher and flower arranger, and though she never pursued it commercially, she provided her services for several people’s weddings. “We still occasionally meet people who say, ‘Oh, you did my wedding invitations!’” Patty said.
Eleanor is known for her “feisty” attitude, and willingness to tell it how she sees it, Patty said. She is also the kind of person who provided a safe place to land for her children’s friends growing up, Patty said.
Eleanor will be celebrating her 99th birthday on March 3, and the family is planning to have a celebration at her daughter’s home in Connecticut, with her three children and four grandchildren all in attendance.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.