Resident enjoys century of memories

MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Shirley Elisberg celebrates her 100th birthday alongside her 6-year-old great-grand-nieces at The Chelsea, Manalapan. Elisberg kisses Lindsay Spitzer as Lindsay’s twin, Kaitlyn, smiles during the birthday festivities.

Family members

celebrate good times

with Shirley Elisberg

BY SHARON H. LEFF

Correspondent

In 1905 only 6 percent of Americans graduated from high school, eggs cost 14 cents a dozen, and Shirley Elisberg was born.

Shirley, who is known as Tootsie to her family, celebrated her 100th birthday on Dec. 28 at The Chelsea assisted living facility, Route 9, Manalapan, where she now lives.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Shirley was the youngest of five children, three boys and two girls. Her father nicknamed her Tootsie because she was his youngest child.

She has been called Tootsie ever since.

At the age of 18 she married her first husband, and though it was difficult, she went out into the working world in 1925. However, both her religion and gender served as obstacles.

“When she went out to work, in 1925, it was difficult for her to get a job because she was a woman. Plus the fact that her faith was different than the average working woman,” said Jay Abelman, Elisberg’s nephew. “Her real given name was Sara Abelman. It was too Jewish so she changed it to Shirley, a little more American.”

Shirley fixed wigs for Broadway actors in a beauty parlor in Manhattan and later managed a Lord & Taylor store for 10 years.

“I was in a beauty business, I specialized many years ago in permanent waving,” she said. “I was fascinated mostly to make women beautiful.”

Shirley became a widow early in life when her first husband died after only two years of marriage. Her second husband, who was 15 years her senior, passed away in 1955. She never had children, but she became close with other family members.

When Jay Abelman’s mother died, Shirley acted as his mother and helped raise him. She took him to places like the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and Radio City Music Hall.

Although she lived in Florida and California before returning to New York, Shirley also enjoyed traveling to other countries. Her journeys include trips to France, Italy and Israel.

“I think it’s very educational to find out how other people live. I always like to mingle with other people,” she said.

Her trip to Israel was particularly interesting because of her religion.

“It was a fascinating trip. I’m of the Jewish faith, and it was a wonderful feeling to be there,” she said.

Shirley’s party on Dec. 28 included live singers, birthday cake and her family. Her nephew, grand-niece and twin 6-year-old great-grand-nieces were all there.

“I came to know her as a little girl because she and my grandfather used to live together,” said Shari Spitzer, Shirley’s grand-niece. “We would talk in the night about when she was a little girl ... and it always was a way for me to get to know who she was and what she was about. She’s just such a happy person, she doesn’t dwell on things that have transpired in her life that are sad or painful things.”

Rose Ciaburri, the director of community relations at The Chelsea, recognizes Shirley’s young spirit.

“We only have about 63 people in our community and Shirley is a big part of it because although her age says she’s 100 years old, she acts much younger than that,” Ciaburri said. “She comes up with such wonderful quotable things.”

Shirley’s only birthday wish was for continued health.

“If you’re healthy you’re wealthy,” she said.