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After Bernice Evenson died, just 8 days short of her 99th birthday, her son Michael found this note, handwritten by Bernice, in a box filled with photos. He was excited to share it with his family and I. Michael is my beloved friend Debra’s brother (Debra also died, in 2011, but she lives in my heart). Today I want to share Bernice’s Ten Maxims for Aging with you because I think that they are so wise.
I met Bernice only once, but she left such a strong impression in me. Bernice was a very unique soul. So full of love for everyone and genuine happiness. Back then when we met at her apartment in Florida, I didn’t speak much English, but that didn’t matter. She knew how to make me feel at home. After all these years I still remember her with love and appreciation. And when I think about aging, I always remember Bernice as a role model. She is the perfect example of someone who knew how to age gracefully. To learn more about Bernice, you can read the words below, written by her son Michael:
BERNICE LILLIAN EVENSON, 1911-2010
Bernice Lillian Evenson, died peacefully on September 9, 2010 at the home of her son Rolfe in Tampa, FL. Born September 18, 1911 in New York City, she was just 8 days short of her 99th birthday. She met Fred Evenson in 1931, and they were married in Verona, NJ where Fred and his mother had established Evenson’s, a small retail, family clothing store at 555 Bloomfield Avenue. It was depression time, things were hard, and the couple lived behind a curtain in that store. The business had filed for bankruptcy, reorganized, and within a few years began to grow along with Verona. In time, all creditors were repaid in full and their reputation and character became legend.
Bernice with her husband Fred and their first baby ↑
In 1946, Evenson’s expanded into a larger space at 569 Bloomfield Avenue and became an important part of the Verona community. Bernice and Fred were known, also, for their generosity to community charities and civic work. After her husband Fred died in 1964, Bernice remained as head of Evenson’s until she retired in 1979. She lived at the Veranda Club, an Independent Living facility in Boca Raton, before moving to Tampa this past July.
A Charter member of the Jewish Community Center of Verona (renamed Beth Ahm of West Essex) she served as President of the Women’s League, and was very active along with Fred, especially during the building of the new Synagogue.
Bernice and her four children ↑ (Michael and my friend Debra are together on the right)
Having grown up in “Roaring Twenties”, Bernice loved to dance, and dance she did, even after being confined to a wheel chair in the last six months, her feet and hands kept moving to the rhythm; Jazz and Swing were constantly heard in the house.
Bernice and her signature smile ↑
To know Bernice was to love her, her kindness and cheerful optimism radiated to everyone she met. Her ever present warmth and smile along with her care and concern for others never changed; A role model to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, she left a magnificent legacy.
Happy Birthday
Elsa Mora.
And you are so right, with age you only get better. That is the beautiful thing that age gives back to you. Wisdom and Understanding more valuable than gold.
I couldn’t agree more with you, Ralfy. When I was much younger, I couldn’t imagine the gifts that would come with aging 🙂
Elsa Mora recently posted..Today is my Birthday. And the Art of Aging Gracefully.
Thanks so much for giving us a glimpse of Bernice’s life and lesson on aging. May your birthday be a beautiful one, Ana
Happy Birthday! Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful person with us! I love her list of maxims.
Have a wonderful day!
Happy Birthday dear Elsa! I wish all the happiness, beauty and peace for you! Thanks for bringing so much beauty to our lives everyday,in words and images.
And what a clever list this adorable woman wrote,so wise.I just love her smile! 🙂
Happy Birthday, my dear friend!
I love seeing this. Was just thinking about Debra and her mom when I was in Boca Raton this past week. I wanted to see where she lived. Debra loved her so much and the feeling was evidently mutual. Lots of love to you on your big day mama. Adelante con gusto!
Oh Elsita, I’m so glad you were born. Happy Birthday! And thanks too for sharing Bernice with us. What a gem. It seems like she used these maxims for living and aging and sharing. Reminds me to make a list of beauty to leave in my wake.
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Happy birthday darling Elsita. Have a wonderful birthday, and thank you for sharing such a lovely and inspiring post.
Lorrie
Xxx
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Wishing you a wonderful birthday… thank you for being a constant source of inspiration!
Happy Birthday dearest Elsa! You are my inspiration!
Happy Birthday, Elsa! May you be given as much joy as you give to others!
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Happy Birthday to an amazing woman. May you continue
to be an inspiration to so many of us. Hope your day
is filled with all the loveliness that you radiate.
Hi Elsa, a very Happy Birthday to you, it was inspiring to know about Bernice, hope and wish I can age as gracefully as her 🙂
¡Felicidades, Elsa!
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It is always wonderful to see the influence of one individual on another. Especially when it is a positive one. Thank you for sharing
Happy birthday Elsa! Thanks for sharing Bernice wisdom. She reminds us the things that we must not forget for making life worth living. And thank you for sharing your own wisdom, you are really a special soul, always inspiring. Lots of love 🙂
Happy Birthday, Elsita! You make this world a beautiful place. xo
Happy Birthday Elsa! What a lovely surprise to see this beautiful tribute to Nana Bernice. I think of you often and your dear friendship with Debra. I wish you all of the best.
Dear Tara, it is so nice to hear from you. Bernice was such a beautiful human being, so was Debra. I literally think about Debra every day. Her photo is in my studio, close to my desk. Sending a hug! Elsa 🙂
Elsa Mora recently posted..Today is my Birthday. And the Art of Aging Gracefully.
Happy birthday, Elsa! I just discovered your blog. Your work is amazing and your ideas are spot on. Thanks for the inspiration. I hope your next year exceeds all expectations.
Wonderful!! These are just the values I want to stay true to, what a lovely reminder. Life is precious! Happy Birthday!
I love this post! 90 something year olds are so e of nt most favourite people in the whole world. They have such insight to share. I can’t wait to see what you jot down on a piece of paper when you turn 90. Happiest of birthdays , my friend. Xx
Happy Birthday Elsa, and thank you for your wonderful remembrance of our mother. She was indeed a remarkable woman, and an ideal to try and live up to.
Dear Rolfe, I so much agree with you. Bernice was a remarkable woman. It is amazing how much love she could give to everyone. The day when we met, she noticed that I was exhausted so she prepared some soup for me and she made sure that I just rested in the couch. I really felt like at home. Debra was our translator, we had such a beautiful time that day. I treasure those memories.
Elsa Mora recently posted..Today is my Birthday. And the Art of Aging Gracefully.
Happy birthday! What a wonderful life list, so full of wisdom and joy.
happy birthday! it is always inspiring to read your blog and i trully loved bernices list.. mazal tov and may you have a great year.
Elsa:
I hope you had a fabulous day yesterday! Thank you for sharing this beautiful story – so inspiring!
Muy feliz cumple recontra retrasado…o mejor dire: feliz no cumpleanos, al estilo sombrerero loco. Muy emocionante esta historia. Tengo que imprimir esa lista y ponerla en mi cartelera para no olvidarme.
What a very touching story Elsa, this post was very inspiring.
Wow! These 10 principles should be the beacon for everyone to live an enriched and happy life. Thanks for sharing this.
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