Doris (right) gives Bernie a poem that she has written for him, beautifully presented on a glass plaque. She has made one for him throughout their marriage. Photo Credit: Bill Knight
GALLOWAY, N.J. – Doris and Bernie Leibowitz celebrated 75 years of marriage on Wed., March 31, 2021 with a special Kosher-for-Passover cake and a surprise visitor at Seashore Gardens Living Center (SGLC). The anniversary celebration was arranged by SGLC staff with the Leibowitz’s family, including daughter Susan Liebowitz who surprised her parents with a visit.
The couple was presented with a specially inscribed leaf on the Jerusalem Wall from their children Susan and Stuart, and grandchildren, Linda, Zach, Lisa, and Miles. Doris gave Bernie a glass plaque etched with a poem that she had written, and which she read aloud to him. Those in attendance watched a beautiful tribute video about Doris and Bernie’s lifetime of love.
Bernie and Doris Leibowitz first met on a blind double date on Saturday, March 30, 1940. That night, they saw “His Girl Friday,” Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell. Bernie was immediately smitten with Doris and he called her for a second date the following Saturday.
“I thought she was stacked up pretty good, she weighed 118 pounds, she was 5-foot-6 tall, built beautifully, beautiful face. It was easy to fall in love,” Bernie recalls. Doris, who was 17 at the time, adds her thoughts, “I thought he was nice and I wanted a steady Saturday night date.”
Bernie and Doris continued with those Saturday night dates and more for two years until 1942. That’s when Bernie went into the Army and was deployed to the South Pacific theater. Whenever he had the chance, Bernie would write home to Doris and many of those love letters she has kept over the years.
After his discharge from the military, the couple married on March 31, 1946. They happily resided in West Philadelphia, and raised their children, Stuart and Susan. Bernie worked in the flooring business.
Doris and Bernie moved to SGLC in 2018. Their longstanding relationship is an inspiration to all, and was celebrated last year with a vowel renewal ceremony.
About Seashore Gardens Living Center The Simon & Sylvia Zisman Seashore Gardens Living Center (SGLC) is a nonprofit home for the aged, guided by Jewish tradition, law, and charity, dedicated to enriching the quality of life for its residents. The 125,000 square foot senior Living Center features a continuum of services which include assisted living, short- and long-term nursing care, Alzheimer’s care, respite care and full rehabilitation services all under one roof. For more information, visit www.seashoregardens.org.
