Berenice Newmeyer (1911 – 2016)

Berenice Newmeyer was born in Philadelphia on September 9, 1911, to a father who had immigrated in his youth and American mother. After her father’s death during the Spanish flu pandemic, she was raised by her mother, grandparents, and step-father. Berenice worked as a stenographer before marrying Stanley Pollak in 1938. The couple settled in New York, where they raised their two children. After moving to Florida in 1986, Berenice celebrated her 100th birthday in 2011 and passed away at the age of 104 in 2016.

Berenice’s life was marked by resilience and adaptability, navigating personal losses and societal changes with strength and grace. Her early life in Philadelphia, shaped by the challenges of losing her father to the Spanish flu, demonstrated her family’s strong support system, as her mother and extended family provided a nurturing environment for her and her brother. This foundation likely contributed to her work ethic and skills as a stenographer, a profession she held before embarking on a family life with Stanley Pollak.

In her marriage, Berenice experienced the growth and development of her family in New York, a city known for its dynamic and diverse culture. The move to Florida in 1986 was a significant change, marking a new chapter in her later years. Berenice’s longevity allowed her to witness a century of historical events and technological advancements, from the early 20th century through the dawn of the digital age.

1911 Birth of Berenice Newmeyer

Berenice was born at home on September 9, 1911, at 10 p.m., at 2416 South 10th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her father, Joseph Newmayer, a 24-year-old salesman, and her mother, Diana Labowitz, 20, were listed on her birth certificates as being born in Russia, despite Diana being born in Philadelphia and Joseph in Paris, France. Her mother was attended by a midwife. Name listed: Bernice Newmayer1

2416 South 10th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The house where Berenice was born was replaced soon after the family moved.

1918 Death of Father, Joseph Newmeyer

When Berenice was seven years old, her father, Joseph Newmeyer, passed away at the age of 31. He died at 10:45 p.m. on October 7, 1918, in the Episcopal Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Born on August 22, 1887, in France, Joseph was the son of David Newmeyer and Rosie Katz, both natives of Russia. He worked as a laborer and succumbed to pneumonia during the early stages of the Spanish flu pandemic after an eight-day illness. Joseph was laid to rest in Har Nebo Cemetery, Philadelphia, on October 11, 1918, although his exact grave location is unknown. His death certificate was filled out by his mother, and his obituary appeared in the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent on the same day.2

Transcript: "Joseph A. Newmayer died on Monday of pneumonia, age 31 years. Funeral this (Friday) afternoon, from the parlors of Morris Rosenberg's Son, 2009 North Broad street. Interment private."3

1918-1919 The Spanish Flu

The Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918-1919 was a devastating global influenza outbreak that infected about one-third of the world’s population and caused an estimated 50 million deaths. It spread rapidly, exacerbated by the movement of troops during World War I. Berenice was deeply affected by this pandemic as it claimed the life of her father when she was just a child. This loss significantly shaped her early life, as she and her brother werew subsequently raised by her mother and grandparents in Philadelphia. Her mother didn’t remarry until Berenice was a teenager.

1920 United States Census

In 1920, eight-year-old Berenice lived with her mother, Diana Newmeyer, her grandparents, David, 56, and Tillie Labowitz, 54, her aunt Netta, 19, and her brother, Alvin (spelled Albin), 4. They also had a boarder named Morris Vansent, 22. They resided in a mortgaged home at 5644 Pine Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Diana and Netta worked as clerks, David was a tailor, and Morris was a salesman. David and Tillie were born in Russia, where their first language was listed as “Jewish.” Everyone else in the household was born in Pennsylvania. David, Tillie, Diana, and Netta’s parents were born in Russia and spoke “Jewish” as their first language. Berenice and Alvin’s mother was born in Pennsylvania, while their father was born in France and spoke French as his first language. Morris’ parents were born in the United States. David and Tillie immigrated in 1887 and were naturalized in 1900. Only Berenice attended school in 1920, and everyone in the household could read, write, and speak English. Name listed: Berenice Newmeyer4

5644 Pine Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2014

2019

The house at 5644 Pine Street was still standing in 2014 but was torn down by 2017.

A drawing of Berenice Newmeyer by Irving Gould

Among Berenice’s belongings, a drawing was discovered after her passing. It was created by Irving Gould when they were both very young.

1930 United States Census

In 1930, Berenice, aged 18, resided at 5014 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with her mother Diana, 37, stepfather Milton Jaret, 39, and brother Alvin, 14. They rented the apartment for $100 per month. Diana worked as a retail hosiery buyer, Milton as a businessman in confectionery, Berenice as a stenographer in a lawyer’s office, and Alvin attended school. Everyone in the household was fluent in English and born in Pennsylvania. Milton’s father was from Poland, his mother from Germany, and Diana’s parents were born in Russia. Berenice and Alvin’s father was born in France, and their mother in Pennsylvania. Diana married for the first time at age 18, while Milton’s first marriage was at age 37. Milton was a World War veteran, and they owned a radio. Name listed: Bernice Jaret5

5014 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Now an empty parking lot, the 1930 United States Census reflects that there were a lot of units in a building at this location.

Coming of Age

1938 Marriage to Stanley Pollak

Signatures of Stanley I. Pollak and Berenice Newmeyer from their marriage license application.

On May 14, 1938, Berenice married Stanley I. Pollak in Philadelphia. At the time, she lived at 4800 Pine Street, where she worked as a bookkeeper. Her mother, Diana Labowitz, who was born in Philadelphia, also lived at the same address and worked as a perfume buyer. Berenice’s father, Joseph Newmeyer, originally from France, was deceased. Stanley, an accountant born in Newark, New Jersey, resided in Jamaica, Queens, New York. Name listed: Berenice Newmeyer6

4800 Pine Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Built in 1925, the complex is now known as Pine Hill Apartments.

1940 United States Census

In 1940, Berenice, 28, and her husband, Stanley Pollak, 29, rented apartment 6 at the Kew Arlington Court Apartments located at 119-20 Union Turnpike in the Kew Gardens neighborhood of Jamaica, Queens, New York, for $45 per month. Stanley, a Certified Public Accountant, worked 44 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, earning an annual salary of $2,300. Five years earlier, in 1935, Stanley had lived in Newark, New Jersey, while Berenice resided in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Name listed: Berenice Pollak7

Kew Arlington Court Apartments, 119-20 Union Turnpike, Jamaica, Queens, New York

Kew Arlington Court Apartments, 1930 and 2006, Photo credit: A Picture History of Kew Gardens, NY.8

Early Family Life

1950 United States Census

In 1950, Berenice, 38, and her husband, Stanley, 39, lived with her children, Gail C., 9, and Jeffrey D., 3, and her in-laws, Oscar N., 75, and Gilda, 68, at 176-37 80th Avenue, Jamaica, Queens, New York. Stanley was a public accountant and Oscar was a salesman of jewelry and credit. Stanley and Gilda were born in New Jersey, Berenice was born in Pennsylvania, Oscar was born in Connecticut, and Gail and Jeffrey were born in New York. Oscar’s parents were born in Austria, he had completed the 7th grade, he worked 52 weeks per year, and made $3,600 in that year. Stanley earned an additional $10,000 per year. Name listed: Berenice Pollak9

176-37 80th Avenue, Jamaica, Queens, New York

176-37 80th Drive, Jamaica, New York was built and designed by Stanley Pollak in 1940, although it has been through remodeling since they sold the residence in the late 1970s.10

The 1950s and Beyond

From Massachusetts to Florida: Berenice and Stanley’s Journey to a New Home

Stanley and Berenice relocated to Framingham, Massachusetts in the late 1970s. Their most significant move came in 1986 when they transitioned from the frigid Northeast to balmy Florida. Berenice spent the remainder of her life in her new home at 3661 Via Poinciana, Unit 401, Lake Worth, Florida.11

3661 Via Poinciana, Lake Worth, Florida

Technological Advancements

Berenice experienced the rise of the digital age, the internet, and mobile technology. In the 1990s, when Berenice was in her 80’s, she these changes by using WebTV to access the internet. Enthusiastically navigating this new frontier, she would print out every email and website she found interesting, creating a tangible archive of her online interactions. This habit reflected her curiosity and adaptability, bridging the gap between her early 20th-century upbringing and the rapidly evolving technology of the late 20th century. Her printed collection became a unique chronicle of her engagement with the digital world.

Death of Husband, Stanley Pollak

Stanley peacefully passed away on December 15, 2000, at the age of 90, after a brave battle with liver cancer12. Despite this loss, Berenice remained in her cherished home, though she became somewhat isolated with her family living far away and having outlived all her friends. Honoring the promise to let her stay in her home, she soon required around-the-clock care.

Celebrating a Century: Berenice’s 100th Birthday with Family

On September 9, 2011, Berenice joyfully celebrated her 100th birthday, a milestone that even surpassed the lifespan of her own son, Jeffrey. She marked the occasion surrounded by her loving daughter, daughter-in-law, and all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Death of Berenice Newmeyer Pollak, January 10, 2016

Berenice peacefully passed away at the age of 104 on January 10, 2016, in the comfort of her own home. Having enjoyed good health throughout her life, she succumbed to the natural process of aging.13 She was lovingly laid to rest beside her beloved husband.14

Celebrating her centennial birthday in 2011 was a testament to her long and eventful life, surrounded by her family who had supported her throughout. Berenice’s story reflects the experiences of many who lived through the 20th century, marked by personal and societal transformations. Her peaceful passing at the age of 104 in 2016 concluded a life well-lived, filled with love, family, and resilience.

Sources

  1. “Pennsylvania, Birth Records, 1906-1908,” Pennsylvania, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Birth: Bernice Newmayer, 9 September 1911, file no. 149827, image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 8 September 2021), citing Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania. Birth certificates, 1906–1911, Box Number: 426, Certificate Number Range: Philadelphia (Brooks)-Schuylkill (Boscke). ↩︎
  2. “Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963,” Pennsylvania, Department of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Death: Joseph Alexander Newmeyer, 7 October 1918, file no. 148804, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 8 September 2021). ↩︎
  3. “Philadelphia City News: Died: Joseph A. Newmayer,” Philadelphia Jewish Exponent, Philadelphia, PA, 11 October 1918, p. 10, col. 3, image, NewspaperArchive (https://access.newspaperarchive.com/us/pennsylvania/philadelphia/philadelphia-jewish-exponent/1918/10-11/page-10 : accessed 15 June 2024). ↩︎
  4. 1920 U.S. Census, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Philadelphia City, enumeration district (ED) 1750, p. 93 (stamped), 2A (penned), dwelling 23, family 27, Tillie Labowitz, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 January 2021), citing NARA microfilm publication T625, roll 1647. ↩︎
  5. 1930 U.S. census, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Philadelphia City, enumeration district (ED) 51-500, p. 29 (stamped), p. 29A (penned), dwelling 393, family 546, Bernice Jaret, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 8 September 2021); citing NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 2140. ↩︎
  6. “Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2ZW-RY7J : accessed 15 June 2021), Entry for Stanley I Pollak and Berenice Newmeyer, June 1938. ↩︎
  7. 1940 U.S. Census, Queens County, New York, population schedule, Kew Gardens, enumeration district (ED) 41-1757-B, p. 2A, household 6, Berenice Pollak, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 June 2021). ↩︎
  8. “The Kew Arlington Court Apartments on Union Turnpike in Kew Gardens, NY as it appears today [2006],” A Picture History of Kew Gardens, NY (https://www.oldkewgardens.com/index/guestbook0612-OL.html : accessed 15 June 2021). ↩︎
  9. 1950 U.S. Census, Queens County, New York, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 41-1455, p. 6, dwelling 52, Berenice Pollak, image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 11 June 2024); citing NARA publication P1. ↩︎
  10. “U.S. Public Records Index, Volume 2,” entry for Berenice Pollak, Framingham, MA, 1935-1993, database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 Sep 2021); “U.S. Public Records Index, Volume 1,” entry for Berenice Pollak, Lake Worth, FL, 1993, database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 Sep 2021); “U.S. Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002,” entry for Berenice Pollak, Lake Worth, FL, 1997-2000, database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 Sep 2021); “U.S. Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002,” entry for Berenice Pollak, Lake Worth, FL, 2001-2002, database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 Sep 2021).  ↩︎
  11. “Palm Beach County: Pollak,” South Florida Sun Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 17 December 2000, p. 7B. col. 1, image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel/58029328/ : accessed 25 August 2020), clip page by user genistory; Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/136500362/stanley_i-pollak : accessed 15 June 2021), memorial page for Stanley I. Pollak (1910–2000), Find a Grave Memorial ID 136500362, citing Star of David Cemetery, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach County, Florida, USA, Maintained by Roberta and Richard Moody (contributor 48450447). ↩︎
  12. “Berenice Newmeyer,” Legacy (https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/berenice-pollak-obituary?id=22762395#obituary : accessed 17 June 2024). ↩︎
  13. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/271586931/berenice-pollak: accessed 17 June 2024), memorial page for Berenice Newmeyer Pollak (9 Sep 1911–10 Jan 2016), Find a Grave Memorial ID 271586931, citing Star of David Cemetery, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach County, Florida, USA; Maintained by ajalaurie (contributor 49398232). ↩︎

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