98-year-old Rockette from N.J. left waiting in the wings — this time for a COVID vaccine Updated Feb 01, 2021; Posted Jan 18, 2021 Helen Caronna, 98, one of the oldest surviving Rockettes, sill lives on her own in Long Branch, but has been isolated in her beachfront condo for 10 months for fear of contracting the coronavirus, as she now waits to be vaccinated. "When you're 98, every day is precious." (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media)Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media Facebook Share When you’re 98, Helen Coronna said, every day is precious. Coronna (pronounced like piranha, the razor-toothed fish, not corona, as in the virus) is still active and independent, living on her own in a Long Branch condo and, until the coronavirus outbreak in March, driving herself to dinner at Tuzzio’s or The Sitting Duck, to her local pharmacy, and on other errands that seem so dear now that she doesn’t dare run them anymore.