Senior Citizens Commended For Contributions, Long Lives

Live long and prosper: That's a catchphrase three New Jersey senior citizens have embodied as members of their community.

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo recognized Jeannie Ginsberg, 94 of South Orange, EddieMae Livingston, 94 of Newark, and Sara Edwards Shaw, 101 of Orange, Wednesday for their long lives and contributions to the world around them during the Eighth Annual Essex County Older Americans Heritage Month Celebration.

“Older Americans Month is an opportunity for us to recognize the tremendous contributions our senior citizens have made to shape and mold today’s community, and bring attention to the contributions they continue to make on a daily basis to improve our quality of life,” DiVincenzo said. “Our honorees have exhibited a tremendous amount of responsibility by advocating for and providing assistance that is helping their fellow seniors to remain active and continue living in our community."

Ginsberg became the director of Playhouse cooperative preschool in 1951, where she expanded from the original South Orange location to West Orange. She taught students to be kind, learn from nature and to be adventurous. She also worked to make the school more accessible to all.

She spent more than five decades in early childhood education.

Livingston worked in community health programs with the City of Newark for 45 years. She is an active member of the NAACP, has been given numerous accolades for her contributions and has two lifetime memberships.

Shaw married at 15 and her husband died suddenly three years later. After the death of her second husband, ending their 45-year marriage, she moved to Orange to be closer to her family. She did custodial work with Hunter College in New York until her retirement in 1975.

“Our older Americans helped shape our Country, State and County, and they have so much more to give. Americans are living longer, healthier lives and continue to make positive contributions in all aspects of life. We can all learn from them,” Essex County Director of Citizen Services Lucia Guarini said. “Today’s celebration is our opportunity to thank Older Americans for all they have done and to encourage them to stay involved in our communities."