11 Women At Commack Assisted Living Facility Inducted Into 'Centenarians Society'

COMMACK, NY - In what is believed to be the largest gathering of centenarians at a senior assisted living facility on Long Island ever, a total 11 women residing at a Commack facility were recently inducted into the “Gurwin Centenarians Society.”

The women at the Gurwin Jewish - Fay J. Linder Residents who were inducted last week range in age from 100 to 106 years old.

The inductees included:

• Grace Lerner, 104
• Golda Thaw, 100
• Helen Stemple, 104
• Helen Smith, 101
• Beatrice Halperin, 100
• Doris Goldenberg, 99
• Ethel Silverman, 100
• Jeannette Stelzer, 100
• Frieda Norotsky, 102
• Fannie Wicentowski, 103
• Minnie Hutter, 100+

“It just crept up on me! I never told anyone my age until I turned 100; now it doesn’t matter if people know," Thaw said. "I think it just might be in my genes – my great grandmother in Poland lived to 96, and this was before modern medicine."

The inductees received citations from both Senator John Flanagan’s and Assemblyman Andrew Raia’s offices during the event.

“We all hear about the graying of society, and over 85 is the fastest growing segment of the population,” Herbert H. Friedman, Executive Vice President/CEO of Gurwin said. “But to have so many who have reached the centenarian milestone in one building is remarkable."

Many of the centenarians’ family members were on hand for the occasion, which was held during National Older Americans Month, presenting the opportunity for them to share reflections on the past century.

“I just try to do the best with what I’ve got," Hutter said. "Traveling helps you live longer. Makes you feel good."

Each has seen 19 presidents, dating back to William Howard Taft.

They were born around the same time as the creation of mass-produced automobiles, and have witnessed the invention of the jet engine, the electric razor and the ballpoint pen.

"It feels ordinary. I don’t think of age, I just think of living," Stemple said. "Age really is just a number."

The women also lived through the Great Depression, World Wars I and II and other conflicts, saw the invention of antibiotics and watched men land on the moon.

"The members of The Gurwin Centenarian Society are a vibrant part of our assisted living community," Friedman said. "We are honored to celebrate the lives of these extraordinary women. They are an inspiration to us all.”

Watch a video interview with some of the women below: