By Howard Koplowitz
Monika Gerhard does not usually have a large appetite, but she made an exception Friday when she turned 103 and ate two helpings of chocolate birthday cake during her celebration Friday at the New Glen Oaks Nursing Home.
Born in Germany May 29, 1906, Gerhard immigrated to the United States in 1934 and moved to Richmond Hill. After marrying Max Gerhard, she moved upstate for a brief period before settling in Ridgewood, according to her daughter, Janet Schubeck.
Schubeck credited the staff at the Glen Oaks nursing home with her mother’s longevity.
“You know why she’s living so long — it’s because of the girls and the guys who work here. They’re wonderful,” Schubeck said.
At four−feet−three−inches tall, the diminutive Gerhard moved into the nursing home about 10 years ago after she was admitted to the hospital with high blood pressure and had a transfusion, but she has not had any health problems since then, her daughter said.
“Whoever’s blood she got, I don’t know what it was. She’s never had high blood pressure since then.”
Gerhard uses a wheelchair and is hard of hearing. She was too tired to comment on reaching 103.
“When you get to that age, you’re lucky to just be around,” her daughter said. “Who would ever think you’re gonna live this long? She’s outlived all her family. There’s none of them left.”
Gerhard worked as a maid when she came to America and later helped at her husband’s Ridgewood store, where the family sold eggs and chickens.
Schubeck said she believed her mother’s work ethic contributed to her living so long.
“That’s the secret to her life: Don’t give up working,” she said. “Work’ll never kill you. Maybe the stress, but not the work.”
Ellen Stoneberg, director of recreation and volunteer services at the nursing home, said Gerhard generally has a weak voice but raises it when she needs to get the attention of caretakers.
“You’ll look around to see where this voice is coming from. You look down and it’s little, petite Monika. It’s like, ‘Monika said that?’” Stoneberg said.
“I love that feistiness in her,” she said. “To me, that’s her survival instinct and it shows.”
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e−mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 173.
