Diana Labowitz (1891 – 1959)

A colorized photo of Diana in High School

Diana Labowitz was born on September 8, 1891, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She married Joseph Newmeyer in 1910 and had two children, Berenice and Alvin. Joseph died in 1918. Diana later married Milton Jaret in 1927. The couple eventually moved to New York, where Diana worked various retail jobs, including as a perfume buyer. Milton passed away in 1956, and Diana died on July 27, 1959, in New York. She was buried alongside Milton in Mount Lebanon Cemetery, Queens, New York.

1900 United States Census

In 1900, eight-year-old Diana (spelled Dina, born September 1891) lived with her parents, David, 37 (born January 1863), and Tillie Labowitz, 35 (born June 1864, spelled Laboitz), and her siblings, Rubie, 13 (born June 1886), Morriss, 11 (born December 1888), and Rebbeca, 5 (born December 1894). They also had two boarders, Hyman Shulmann, 24 (born May 1876), and Samuel Brest, 18 (born June 1881).

The family rented a house at 817 Barnett St. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. David worked as a cloakmaker but had been unemployed for six months in the previous year. Hyman was a coat maker, Samuel was an errand boy, and Rubie, Morriss, and Diana attended school. Tillie had four children, all of whom were living.

The children were born in Pennsylvania, while David, Tillie, Hyman, and Samuel were born in Russia, as were their parents. David and Tillie immigrated to the United States in 1886 and lived there for 14 years. Hyman and Samuel immigrated in 1891 and had been in the US for nine years. Everyone in the household could speak English, although Tillie could not read or write. Name listed: Dina Laboitz1

Formerly 817 Barnett Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The land where their house once stood is now part of a large parking lot.

1910 United States Census

In 1910, Diana, 18, lived with her parents, David M, 48, and Tillie Labowitz, 40, and her siblings, Ruben, 22, Rebecca, 16, and Nettie, 9. They also had a boarder, Joseph Newmeyer, 23, who would marry Diana a few months after the census was taken. The family mortgaged a house at 2416 South 10th Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. David worked as a lady’s tailor at a clothing factory, Ruben was a shipping clerk at a cloak factory, Diana was a saleslady at a department store, Rebecca was a milliner at a millinery store, and Joseph was a commercial traveler for a shirt factory.

David and Tillie had been married for 23 years, and Tillie had given birth to five children, four of whom were still living, as Morris had passed away before 1906. David and Tillie were born in “Russia Yiddish,” while Joseph was born in “France Yiddish.” All the children were born in Pennsylvania, but their parents’ birthplace was listed as “Russia Yiddish.” David and Tillie immigrated in 1895, and David was listed as naturalized. The entire family spoke English, although Tillie could not read or write it. In 1910, only Nettie attended school. Name listed: Diana Labowitz2

2416 South 10th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The house now at 2416 South 10th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was built after the Labowitzes lived there.

1910 Marriage to Joseph Newmeyer

Diana, born in Philadelphia on September 10, 1888, married Joseph Alexander Newmeyer on October 23, 1910, in their hometown. She resided at 2614 South 10th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and worked as an inspectress. Joseph, born in Paris, France, on August 22, 1887, lived at 334 Wolf Street in Philadelphia and was employed as a salesman. Name listed: Diana Labowitz3

1911, Birth of Daughter, Berenice

On September 9, 1911, at 10a.m., Diana gave birth to her first child, Berenice Newmeyer (spelled Bernice Newmayer), at their home at 2416 South 10th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with the assistance of a midwife. At the time, Diana was 20 years old, and her birthplace was listed as Russia on her daughter’s birth certificate. Her husband, Joseph, was 24, also listed as being born in Russia, and worked as a salesman. Name listed: Diana Lebowitz4

1918 Death of Husband, Joseph Newmeyer

Diana’s husband, Joseph, passed away at the age of 31 in the Episcopal Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at 10:45 p.m. on October 7, 1918. Born on August 22, 1887, in France, he was the son of David Newmeyer and Rosie Katz, who were both born in Russia. Joseph was a workman and succumbed to pneumonia after an eight-day illness at the start of the Spanish flu pandemic. He was laid to rest in Har Nebo Cemetery in Philadelphia on October 11, 1918, although there is currently no record of his grave. The informant on his death certificate was his mother, and his obituary was published in the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent on the same day.5

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."6

Spanish Flu Pandemic (1918)

This global health crisis took the life of Diana’s first husband, Joseph Newmeyer, leaving Diana a widow with two young children. The loss drastically changed her life, thrusting her into the role of a single mother during a challenging time.

1920 United States Census

In 1920, 28-year-old Diana, now a widow, lived with her parents, David, 56, and Tillie Labowitz, 54, her sister, Netta, 19, and her children, Berenice, 8, and Alvin (spelled Albin) Newmeyer, 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: Diana Newmeyer7

5644 Pine Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2014

2019

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

The Plight of Widows in the Early 20th Century

Widows during this period often faced limited social and economic support. Diana’s experience was marked by these challenges, forcing her and her children to live with family members to survive. Societal expectations and limited opportunities for women added layers of difficulty, compelling her to overcome significant obstacles.

1927 Marriage to Milton Jaret

Diana married Milton Jaret on June 15, 1927, in Philadelphia. At the time, Diana, a saleslady, was living at 5644 Pine Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Milton, a merchant born in New York on December 29, 1890, also resided in West Philadelphia. Diana’s parents were David Labowitz, who had passed away, and Tillie Shulman, with whom she lived. Diana had previously been married, but her first husband had died nine years earlier in Pennsylvania. This was Milton’s first marriage. On her marriage certificate, Diana used the middle name Rose. Name listed: Diana Rose Newmeyer8

1930 United States Census

In 1930, 37-year-old Diana lived with her husband, Milton Jaret, 39, and her two children, Berenice (spelled Bernice), 18, and Alvin, 14. They rented an apartment at 5014 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for $100 per month. Diana worked as a retail hosiery buyer, Milton was a businessman in a confectionery, Berenice was a stenographer in a lawyer’s office, and Alvin was still in school. Everyone in the household could read, write, and speak English, and all were born in Pennsylvania. Milton’s father was born in Poland and his mother in Germany. Diana’s parents were born in Russia, while Berenice and Alvin’s father was born in France, and their mother in Pennsylvania. Diana had first married at 18, and Milton at 37. Milton was also a World War I veteran. They owned a radio. Name listed: Diana Jaret9

5014 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The apartment complex that Diana and her family lived in is now a parking lot.

Great Depression (1929-1939)

The economic turmoil of the Great Depression likely imposed significant financial difficulties on Diana and her family. With widespread unemployment and economic instability, Diana would have needed to find work to support her children. She managed to secure various retail jobs, which eventually led to a position as a perfume buyer. This period demanded resourcefulness and resilience as she navigated the financial pressures of the time.

1938 – Marriage of daughter, Berenice

On May 14, 1938, Diana’s daughter, Berenice, married Stanley Pollak in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Diana’s lived at 4800 Pine Street, Philadelphia, and she worked as a perfume buyer. Name listed: Diana Elabowitz10

Pine Hill Apartments, 4800 Pine Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

4800 Pine Street, built in 1925, is now the Pine Hill Apartments.11

1940 United States Census

In 1940, Diana, 48, lived with her husband, Milton Jaret, 49, and her son, Alvin Newmeyer, 24. They rented an apartment at 5014 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for $75 per month. Milton was a sales manager for a candy manufacturing company, working 48 hours a week throughout the previous year and earning $2,600. Alvin worked as a government investigator for public assistance, having worked 24 weeks the prior year and earning $480. Milton and Alvin had completed five years of college, while Diana had completed four years of high school. Milton was born in New York, and Diana and Alvin were born in Pennsylvania. Name listed: Diana Jaret12

1950 United States Census

In 1950, Diana, 58, lived with her husband, Milton, Jaret, 59, in apartment 13A of 6 W. 77th Street, New York, New York. Diana was born in Pennsylvania and Milton was born in New York. Milton was unable to work, though he received $5,000 in other sources of income.13 They moved to this apartment in 1942.14

6-16 West 77th Street, New York, New York

Now combined with the neighboring building and converted into a co-op, 6-16 West 77th Street is situated across from the American Museum of Natural History and just one building away from Central Park. The thirteenth floor has been omitted, and apartment 13A was merged with the B unit to form apartment 14AB, which last sold in 2011 for $8,355,000.15

1956 Death of Husband, Milton Jaret

Diana’s husband, Milton, passed away at the age of 66 in their home on December 9, 1956. He worked as a candy importer. Milton was laid to rest at Mount Lebanon Cemetery in Glendale, Queens.16 His obituary was published in the Philadelphia Inquirer on the following day.

Transcript: "MILTON JARET, a candy importer and former resident of Philadelphia, died yesterday at his home in New York City. He was 66. Funeral services will be held at 10 A.M. tomorrow at Gutterman's funeral parlor, 66th st. and Broadway."17

Death of Diana Rose Labowitz Newmeyer Jaret, July 27, 1959

Diana passed away on July 27, 1959, in New York at the age of 67. She was buried at Mount Lebanon Cemetery in Glendale, Queens, New York, next to Milton.18 Her obituary appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer two days later.

Transcript: "JARET-DIANA NEWMEYER, July 27, dear wife of the late Milton Jaret, mother of Berenice Pollak and Alvin Newmeyer, dear sister of Beatrice Petrosky, Netta Goldman, Rueben Labowitz, loving grandmother. Services Wed., 2:15 P.M., Riverside Chapel, 76th and Amsterdam, New York City."19

Despite the loss of her first husband to the Spanish Flu and the economic challenges of the Great Depression, Diana Labowitz supported her family through various retail jobs. She raised children who achieved successful careers and went on to raise their own accomplished children. Her ability to navigate societal expectations and limited opportunities for women in the early 20th century highlights her strength and determination. Diana’s legacy is one of perseverance and resourcefulness, leaving a lasting impact on her family and those who knew her.

Sources

  1. 1900 U.S. Census, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Philadelphia City, enumeration district (ED) 49, p. 50 (stamped), 6B (penned), dwelling 91, family 128, Dina Laboitz, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 January 2021), citing NARA microfilm publication T623, roll 1452. ↩︎
  2. 1910 U.S. Census, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Philadelphia City, enumeration district (ED) 1004, p. 270 (stamped), 11A (penned), dwelling 54, family 56, Diana Labowitz, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 January 2021), citing NARA microfilm publication T624, microfilm 1150, roll 1409. ↩︎
  3. “Pennsylvania Civil Marriages, 1677-1950”, image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q299-SW87 : accessed 8 September 2021), Entry for Joseph A Newmeyer and Diana Labowitz, 25 Oct 1910. ↩︎
  4. “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). ↩︎
  5. “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). ↩︎
  6. “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). ↩︎
  7. 1920 U.S. Census, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Philadelphia City, enumeration district (ED) 1750, p. 93 (stamped), 2A (penned), dwelling 23, family 27, Diana Newmeyer, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 January 2021), citing NARA microfilm publication T625, roll 1647. ↩︎
  8. “Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950”, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2ZM-HMRX : accessed 8 September 2021), Entry for Milton Jaret and Diana Rose Newmeyer, June 1927. ↩︎
  9. 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, Diana Jaret, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 8 September 2021); citing NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 2140. ↩︎
  10. “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. ↩︎
  11. “Pine Hill Apartments,” ApartmentFinder (https://www.apartmentfinder.com/Pennsylvania/Philadelphia-Apartments/Pine-Hill-Apartments : accessed 15 June 2024). ↩︎
  12. 1940 U.S. Census, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Philadelphia City, enumeration district (ED) 51-1944B, p. 2B, household 103, Diana Jaret, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 June 2021), citing NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 3747. ↩︎
  13. 1950 U.S. Census, New York City, New York, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 31-828, p. 12, dwelling 107, Diana Jaret, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 June 2024); citing NARA publication P1. ↩︎
  14. Manhattan New York City Telephone Directory, December 1942, (New York, NY: New York Telephone Company, 1942), p. 500, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 June 2024); Manhattan New York City Telephone Directory, Summer-Fall 1945, (New York, NY: New York Telephone Company, 1945), p. 542, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 June 2024); Manhattan New York City Telephone Directory, Winter-Spring 1946, (New York, NY: New York Telephone Company, 1946), p. 561, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 June 2024); Manhattan New York City Telephone Directory, May 1948, (New York, NY: New York Telephone Company, 1948), p. 687, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 June 2024). ↩︎
  15. 6-16 West 77th Street, New York, NY 10024, Co-op,” Douglas Elliman Property Management (https://www.ellimanpm.com/buildings/6_16_West_77th_Street : accessed 16 June 2024); “6 W 77th St #14AB, New York, NY 10024,” Zillow (https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/6-W-77th-St-14AB-New-York-NY-10024/111035844_zpid/ : accessed 16 June 2024). ↩︎
  16. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/98950006/milton-jaret: accessed June 16, 2024), memorial page for Milton Jaret (unknown–9 Dec 1956), Find a Grave Memorial ID 98950006, citing Mount Lebanon Cemetery, Glendale, Queens County, New York, USA, Maintained by Athanatos (contributor 46907585). ↩︎
  17. “Milton Jaret,” Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA, 10 December 1956, p. 14, col. 1, image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-obituary-for-m/149427941/ : accessed 16 June 2024), clip page by user genistory. ↩︎
  18. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/98949996/diana-jaret: accessed June 16, 2024), memorial page for Diana Labowitz Jaret (8 Sep 1891–27 Jul 1959), Find a Grave Memorial ID 98949996, citing Mount Lebanon Cemetery, Glendale, Queens County, New York, USA, Maintained by Athanatos (contributor 46907585). ↩︎
  19. “Died: Jaret,” Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA, 29 July 1959, p. 39, col. 7, image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer/15271936/ : accessed 21 November 2017), clip page by user genistory. ↩︎

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