Malverne's Dorothy Schein celebrates 100 years

The community of Grace Lutheran Church came to celebrate 100 years of Dorothy Schein last week.

Schein, who reached the century mark on Aug. 19, has lived in Malverne for nearly 50 years. Originally from Queens, Schein attended Public School 155 in her elementary years, and John Adams High School.

Dorothy, called Dotty by friends and family, worked at Hartford insurance Company from 1941 to 1984. Throughout the more than 40 years she spent in the insurance industry, Schein traveled throughout the tri-state area, with the company often tapping her to assist in different branches.

“My job was to sometimes spend two weeks in one office, then two weeks in another. We had an office in Long Island, we had an office in Brooklyn, and so on and so forth,” she explained. “Because of my experience and background, they would ask me to do that. And I did, I felt it was part of my job. I have very great memories of my working years. It was a pleasure. They were a good company to work for.”

With a pension, social security, and the firm support of her nephews Ernest and Russell, Schein has been comfortably retired since 1984. She kept herself busy in the last 38 years. Most notably, she and her late sister volunteered in the office of Grace Lutheran Church for nine years.

“We helped with the mailing. We counted the money,” she said. “So we just made ourselves useful. We just weren’t church members, we tried to be involved.” Schein has been a parishioner at Grace Lutheran since first moving to Malverne five decades ago.

To this day, she uses the skills learned in her work and volunteering life to keep herself occupied. “I do a lot of paperwork. Paying my bills and stuff like that,” she said.

Her strength has prevailed through her 100 years. She overcame a battle with cancer. “I’m a cancer survivor,” she said. “I’ve had six major surgeries, but God is good to me.”

Arthritis and her decision to stop driving have somewhat limited her mobility. “At my age, I said ‘I don’t want to wait till I kill somebody till I stop driving,’” she joked of her decision to give up driving. Schein donated her vehicle to Grace Lutheran.

Schein shared her own personal secret to her longevity. “It’s not a big deal. My secret, what I tell everybody, is one word: I’m single. I knock them off their feet when I tell them that,” she exclaimed. “I had opportunities, but there were various reasons why not,” she added cheekily.

Nephews Ernest and Russell, who arrange for regular grocery deliveries and housekeeping for Schein, came from their homes in Kansas for the week to celebrate with their aunt. They treated her to dinner at the Oak Chalet in Bellmore on her birthday, and helped arrange the party at Grace Lutheran with Pastor David Anglada and human resources director Lori Heiman.

At the conclusion of Sunday services at Grace Lutheran Church on Aug. 21, Malverne’s Mayor Keith Corbett presented Schein with a special citation and words of appreciation. “Thanks to you for choosing to be here, in the Village of Malverne.” He further stated that Schein and the other centenarians that call Malverne home make the community proud. “We’ve had six individuals attain that beautiful age. It’s a beautiful testament to the success of this community.”

To top off celebrations, a catered lunch and birthday cake was shared with Schein’s nephews, church staff, parishioners, and the many friends Schein has made in her 50 years at Grace Lutheran and in Malverne.