Celebrating a milestone birthday

“My family lives long,” said Goldie Steinberg, a resident of Grandell Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Long Beach. They are words she can attest to, especially after recently turning 110 years old.

Steinberg, born on Oct. 30, 1900, celebrated her birthday at the home of her daughter, Anne Teicher, and was surrounded by her son, Donald Sargent, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The following day, Oct. 31, she celebrated her milestone among residents and staff at Grandell.

Steinberg’s milestone birthday has caught the attention of people from around the country — she’s even being studied by researchers from Boston University School of Medicine’s (BUSM) New England Centenarian Study, who contacted her this past year due to her impressive age.

One of eight children, Steinberg was born in Kishinev, Romania — known today as Chisinau, Moldova — and came to the United States at the age of 23, an opportunity given to Steinberg and her two sisters by their wealthy uncle, she said.

When she came to the states, she lived in an apartment in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, and had two children with her husband, Philip Steinberg, who died in 1967. A longtime practicing seamstress, Steinberg resided in Brooklyn, where she rented an apartment for 72 years. She moved to Grandell in 2004, a place she refers to as “home.”

Steinberg said she moved into the facility to be closer to her daughter, who lives nearby, but also because she wanted to be in a safe, secure environment.

Nowadays, Steinberg said she enjoys the simple things in life, such as crocheting, reading the newspaper, and watching TV. She also enjoys watching “The Price is Right,” and said she used to consistently watch the Yankees.

When asked about her favorite food, she responded with a one word answer: “Breakfast,” said Steinberg, who later added vegetable soup and fish, though not fried, to her list.

Steinberg, excited about her birthday, was most happy about being able to see her family again. “[I’m] very, very happy to see my grandchildren and great-grandchildren,” she said.

When asked about her fondest memories, of which there are many given her long life, her response was prompt, followed by a big smile.

“My family,” Steinberg said.

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