Art of Aging: Cousins share decades of love and family togetherness

GLOUCESTER, N.J. (WPVI) -- They are a close-knit cousins club who grew up together and have stayed together through life's ups and downs.

They range from 70 to 93 years of age, but once a month, it's like they're at the kids' table again.

"We've always got along, even as children, growing up. We always had fun when we got together, and we still do." Said 80-year-old Joan Nishina of Mantua, NJ.

Ninety-three-year-old Theresa McCarthy of Gloucester, NJ said, "We've been good therapy for everyone through the years. My family is always there for me."

Her daughter Margaret Cerrone of Gloucester, NJ added, "They check on each other, one'll go to a farm stand and bring the other food. If someone can't sew, the other sews for them, if someone forgets a recipe, the other knows it. It's their own form of networking."

The cousins never fought and still don't. But they do love to dish.

"We talk about many things at club," Nishina said.

McCarthy said, "First it was boyfriends, then it was husbands, then it was children, then it was, let's see - medicine now and doctors."

"Just a great feeling to know you have family that you have a good time with. You laugh, and you can cry sometimes," said 70-year-old Roseann Michel of Gloucester City.

Not every family can have this closeness, but for the cousins, the payoff is well worth the effort.

"I know how lucky I am because I see other people around who have no one," McCarthy said.

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