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Happy 106th Birthday Sylvia Zucker

August 12, 2022 | 1:38 AM - Updated on August 13, 2022 | 6:37 AM
in ART, HISTORY, NEWS
33
Sylvia Zucker, 106. Photographs by Anna Mejorada.

By Anna Mejorada

Last month, West Side Rag covered a party celebrating 14 centenarians who all reside at the Amsterdam Nursing Home on the corner of Amsterdam Avenue and West 112th Street. Today, the oldest of the group, Sylvia Zucker, is turning 106. I visited Sylvia last week to hear more about her life. Her son, Carl Zucker, provided additional insight into her experience from his perspective via email.

Family of origin.

Born on August 12, 1916, Sylvia grew up on East 97th Street and First Avenue with two sisters, Anna and Dora, and her parents, who years before had fled Russia to avoid persecution. From a young age, Sylvia showed a strong interest in art and poetry — admiring, studying, and creating her own. She set her sights on becoming a teacher and achieved her goal. She taught fourth and fifth grades for several years in Westbury, New York. In that town on Long Island, she raised two children, Lisa and Carl, with her husband, Arthur, who was “a devoted and caring husband,” Carl shared. “They were very close.” Arthur died at the age of 89.

Sylvia and Arthur.

When I asked Sylvia what the greatest invention of her lifetime has been, she exclaimed “toilets” which brought a chuckle to everyone in the room. “She did grow up in a railroad tenement apartment with a shared toilet in the hall,” Carl explained. She was “very active in the Civil Rights and Anti-Nuclear War movement,” he added. “She attended Martin Luther King’s March on Washington.”

Sylvia’s favorite time of year in the city is the month of May. According to Carl, that is the month in which she celebrates her anniversary and the birthday of her late husband. “She also likes Spring [because] of her love of flowers, which are one of her passions. Her sister and brother-in-law owned a flower shop where she worked in her 20s.”

She signs her paintings Syl.

Sylvia’s love of flowers and art has not faded, and she continues to paint and sketch during her free time. She attributes her longevity to “being around nice people,” and if she could pass on any wisdom to younger generations, she said she would instead, “spend the afternoon teaching them to be considerate and singing.” She is a soprano and her favorite song is “I Wanna Be Loved By You”. As we made our way to her room to see some of her artwork, she started humming her favorite tune to herself.

In her room.

When asked what piece of advice from his mom he would pass along, Carl shared, “appreciate nature and art, and accept and adjust.” He strongly admires “her love and knowledge of art and that she continues to make art.” She also loves playing games – particularly Scrabble – and has started to learn how to play the piano. She enjoys eating chicken, “maybe with a little bit of vegetables”, but definitely followed by ice cream with chocolate drizzled on top.

Hope everyone takes a moment to celebrate Sylvia today!

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33 Comments
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Bill S.
Bill S.
2 years ago

Great story. Thank you Anna.

7
Reply
MJB
MJB
2 years ago

Very nice article. So good to know that our community cares about our seniors Congratulations, Sylvia!

7
Reply
110th Street Neighbor
110th Street Neighbor
2 years ago

A lovely story about a lovely lady. Happy birthday
Mrs. Zucker! Your life achievements are awesome. It’s wonderful to hear how you remain actively contributing to the community. I hope you’re still playing Scrabble with your son! Many more Sto Lats (which means 100 years in Polish) to you Mrs. Zucker!

5
Reply
Mull Dover
Mull Dover
2 years ago

and many many more!!!!🎂

3
Reply
Jeff Jacomowitz
Jeff Jacomowitz
2 years ago

What a great story about the sweetest 106-year-old in New York!

6
Reply
Drew
Drew
2 years ago

Happy Birthday Sylvia 🎉🎉🎊🎈🎂🎁❤️

2
Reply
Robert
Robert
2 years ago

“She taught fourth and fifth grades for several years in Westbury, New York. In that town on the north shore of Long Island…”

Westbury is *not* on the north shore of Long Island, it is in the center of the island.

1
Reply
Christina Nunn
Christina Nunn
2 years ago
Reply to  Robert

That was your takeaway from this inspiring piece? Sad.

Last edited 2 years ago by Christina Nunn
18
Reply
Trusted Commenter
Trusted Commenter
2 years ago
Reply to  Christina Nunn

It’s fine. If I keep learning something new every day, soon I can be 106 too.

2
Reply
Christina Nunn
Christina Nunn
2 years ago

Happy Birthday Sylvia! You are precisely the kind of New York City woman that I aspire to be! Also my mother’s maiden name is Zucker so I’d like to think that we are related somehow.

I hope you get lots of love and also cake today!!!!

(Also this is a wonderful article! Thank you Anna for giving us this relevant and inspired content!)

Last edited 2 years ago by Christina Nunn
5
Reply
LO Olmstead
LO Olmstead
2 years ago
Reply to  Christina Nunn

Hi Christina – just saw your comment – my Dad’s family was from L’Viv (then called L’Vov) now in Ukraine. If the Zucker side of your family is from that area we could well be related!

0
Reply
Christina Nunn
Christina Nunn
2 years ago
Reply to  LO Olmstead

Thank you so much for responding! My grandfather’s family was from Germany so perhaps our connection is more distant. Regardless I love meeting any Zucker, they are always so sweet. (Sorry I could not help myself).

3
Reply
LO Olmstead
LO Olmstead
2 years ago

Thank you for this lovely article on my sweet Mom. Reading it has been a wonderful way to celebrate her birthday!

10
Reply
Nelson
Nelson
2 years ago

Happy Birthday, beautiful lady! We ALL “wanna be loved by you!” Enjoy your very special day.

5
Reply
Harry
Harry
2 years ago

Happy Birthday Sylvia!!!

2
Reply
Sarah
Sarah
2 years ago

Happy birthday to Sylvia, and many more!

2
Reply
Gail Ressler
Gail Ressler
2 years ago

Happy Birthday Mrs Zucker! Enjoy every day and every dessert!

2
Reply
Valerie
Valerie
2 years ago

This is so beautiful about Sylvia! Happy birthday, Sylvia, we love you!!!

1
Reply
Ulrike Klopfer
Ulrike Klopfer
2 years ago

What delightful history of a woman who lives life to the fullest and shares it with others.
Happy Birthday, Sylvia! May God bless you — and us — by keeping you here for a few more years.

2
Reply
Nelly Furman
Nelly Furman
2 years ago

Congratulations! Continue to enjoy all you are doing and the ice cream with chocolate drizzled on top. Sounds delicious. Nelly

1
Reply
Mr.Manhattan
Mr.Manhattan
2 years ago

Happy Birthday Sylvia. You must be a wonderful person . You represent everything I love about NYC . I would like to gift you Flowers and Ice Cream. Let me know if that is possible ?
All the best……. xxoo

1
Reply
Janet
Janet
2 years ago

An amazing woman💖

1
Reply
Ellen
Ellen
2 years ago

Happy Birthday Sylvia! My mom’s name was also Sylvia and she lived till 104. So maybe there’s something in the name Sylvia!!

0
Reply
Izzy P
Izzy P
2 years ago

Feliz Cumpleaños señora Zucker. God Bless you always. Your positive energy is everything.🌈🙏💕

Last edited 2 years ago by Izzy P
0
Reply
Emilie de Brigard
Emilie de Brigard
2 years ago

Happy birthday, dear Mrs. Sylvia Zucker, and thank you for your wonderful example and for your good advice! We need to concentrate on what is really important. Art, nature, consideration, ice cream.

1
Reply
Elisabeth Jakab
Elisabeth Jakab
2 years ago

Happy Birthday Syl! I love your art, your outlook, your moxie, and everything about you! Congratulations!

0
Reply
Ellen Massey
Ellen Massey
2 years ago

Happy 106th and many more, Sylvia! I love your artwork. Keep producing it, and enjoy the piano.

1
Reply
Susannah
Susannah
2 years ago

What a nice story. Happy Birthday to an amazing woman.

1
Reply
Mary Homan
Mary Homan
2 years ago

What a lovely lady! May God bless you and your sunny, inspiring view of life, Sylvia. I am glad you are learning to play the piano.

1
Reply
Westsideneighbor
Westsideneighbor
2 years ago

Welcome and heartfelt story . A
person my Mom would have called
salt of the earth! What an upper!!
Thank You!

1
Reply
Sam Katz
Sam Katz
2 years ago

Happy Birthday!! Everyday is your birthday, Sylvia!

0
Reply
Susan T.
Susan T.
2 years ago

What a beautiful story…Happy Birthday Sylvia ! 🎂🎊🎈🎉🎁

0
Reply
Bonnie C.
Bonnie C.
2 years ago

Uplifting story! A beautiful, creative life being fully lived…. inspirational. Thank you for sharing the talented and delightful Sylvia with us.

0
Reply

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