24 / matters magazine / summer 2026
I’m from South Orange, NJ
My family's roots in South Orange go back to the early 
1900s, when my grandparents emigrated from Ireland. My 
grandmother ran a store on Irvington Avenue called Anna's 
Sundry. I grew up on Arnold Terrace as the seventh of eight 
children in a lively three-bedroom house with one bathroom. As 
kids, we had a lot of freedom. We walked everywhere with our 
little gang of friends, swam at the South Orange Pool and went 
to Gruning’s for ice cream. When we were all grown and ready 
to raise our families, all of my siblings stayed here because this 
community gave us a deep sense of belonging.
ELLEN DECICCO
Compass, The DeCicco Group
Millburn | 973-953-4428 
ellen@thedeciccogroup.com | thedeciccogroup.com
I’m from Albany, NY
In Albany, I had the best of both worlds — life in a small city and 
easy access to Massachusetts and Vermont. I was influenced 
by my mother’s passion for animal rescue, her outsized love 
of Halloween and the freedom she gave me to hang out with 
friends as long as I was home by dark. The other part of my 
childhood was defined by dance. I toured with the Berkshire 
Ballet from the age of 12 and thrived on the training it required. 
Ballet taught me discipline, creativity and perseverance — 
qualities that have shaped my life and career today.
JENNIFER MCMANUS
Coldwell Banker Realty
Maplewood | 917-837-2192 
jennifer.mcmanus@cbmoves.com
I’m from Maplewood, NJ
I was born and raised in Maplewood, alongside my four 
siblings, and attended St. Joseph’s School and Columbia High 
School. My childhood was filled with ice skating and bonfires 
in Maplecrest Park, shopping in the Village, taking the train 
into nearby towns and New York City and spending time with 
friends. Christmas in the Village was always stunning and 
opportunities to be involved in art and music were everywhere. 
After living elsewhere, I realized nothing matched the warmth 
and character of Maplewood, so I returned here to raise my 
family and create the same sense of belonging I grew up with.
ANNE LYNCH
Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
South Orange | 201-207-2152 
anne.lynch@sothebysrealty.com

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