Thursday, October 1, 2026
Eva Guggenheimer, a 91 year-old West Hempstead resident, is living proof that you are never too old to do something fantastic.
Guggenheimer, with her family’s help, recently published a book of poems she wrote decades ago after finding a collection of her works hidden in the upstairs study of their home. “When she was sick last year, we were going through papers and we found these poems,” said her daughter Hannah. “We said they were marvelous, and that they should get published while she’s still alive,” she added. “I think if the New York Times could get a hold of them, they would be a best seller.”
The book, Poems, was published last month by Dorrance Publishing, and contains a collection of 195 poems written by her roughly 40-50 years ago. “I’m very proud of her,” said Hannah.
Many of the poems address Guggenheimer’s anxieties, fears, thoughts on life and personal observations. She also documents with graciously flowing verse, every writer’s ongoing battle with a blank piece of paper.
Guggenheimer was born in Basel, Switzerland, where she met her husband Heinrich when they were both 16. They married seven years later and are still married today.
After leaving Basel, they traveled to Israel so Heinrich, who was a professor, could teach in a university there. Five years later, he and Eva had the opportunity to obtain a visa to the United States, and ultimately settled in West Hempstead. “I was able to get a visa because professors were needed in the United States at the time,” said Heinrich. “Eva came as my apprentice.”
The couple ultimately had four children, two of which currently reside in Israel, one in the Philippines and one in West Hempstead.
When asked what inspired her to write so many poems, Guggenheimer said, “When I had an idea, I wrote it.” She reports still writing poetry to this day.
“She never expected her poems to be published,” added her daughter Hannah. She was just writing for herself.” In 1992, Guggenheimer and her husband together wrote the book, “Jewish Family Names and Their Origins: An Etymological Dictionary.” Both books are available for sale on Amazon.com.
