For Friends and Neighbors of Crown Center for Senior Living SEPTEMBER 2024
Entering Crown Center, it is clear how residents, volunteers, and staff bring their whole selves to make this a special place. Sharing time, skills, and passions makes our community stronger and more vibrant. The professional experiences of those who call Crown home are varied and vast – our residents bring a wealth of skills and experience from their professional lives that can greatly benefit our community. At Crown we are home to retired medical professionals, artists, educators, scientists, farmers, and more from all over the world. Residents generously share their memories, experiences, and skills to connect with and benefit others.
As supported by the research, meaningful engagement and sense of purpose not only bolsters communities, but older adults themselves. By sharing their gifts and reminiscing on their positive impact, residents not only contribute to their community’s well-being but also maintain a sense of purpose and fulfillment in their retirement years. I want to share some of their stories with you. Like me, I know you’ll be inspired to think about what experiences, memories, and skills you bring to the places you love. Andy Thorp, Executive Director
Residents bring a wealth of skills and experience
Yefim Polevoy, originally from a a small shtetl on the River Berizina, faced many hardships early in life. His father joined the Red Army in 1941, and his mother passed away shortly after. He was evacuated to Uzbekistan and spent time in an orphanage. At 11, he moved in with his aunt, and after the war, his father reunited with him, and they settled in Bobrusk, Belarus. Despite tumult and antisemitism in Belarus, he pursued his dream of becoming a doctor by moving to Siberia for medical school, and graduating in 1959 with top marks. His career began as a country doctor in Tumen before moving to Novosibirsk in 1962 to lead the pediatric department at a hospital where he worked until his retirement in 1994.
Yefim Polevoy
BIRTHPLACE A small shtetl near the River Berizina
OCCUPATIONS Physician
Pediatrician
Hospital Department Head
PLACES LIVED Belarus
Russia
St. Louis
Crown Center
In retirement, Yefim stays busy with his iPad, watches Russian TV, and follows current events. He also did consulting work after moving to the U.S. in 1994, supporting former colleagues. He misses his birthplace, his family, and his colleagues, sometimes feeling nostalgic.
Yefim credits his career with teaching him the ability to connect with others in a diverse environment. He shared, “I always make friends…I’m good with everyone. Because I oversaw the department, I learned to work with all types of people. We had a good community.”
Now, Yefim and his wife Tamara find community at Crown Center. As newer residents, they have been delighting in new experiences, connecting with neighbors, and thriving in a secure and caring environment. The Polevoys remarked, “Living here has been like a fairy tale. We could only dream about living here. People are friendly and sincere.”
OCCUPATIONS City of St Louis Switchboard Operator and Quality Review Specialist
Tax Preparation Volunteer
PLACES LIVED St. Louis Crown Center
Mariam Whitford, who moved to Crown Center in 2023, is a lifelong St. Louisan who shared her journey from a busy career to a fulfilling retirement. She spent 40 years working for the City of St. Louis, starting as a switchboard operator and moving up through various roles. She particularly enjoyed her time in the parking department and in housing, where she handled tough customer issues and court cases. Her last role was as a Quality Review Specialist, where she reviewed others’ work, interviewed job candidates, and worked with different agencies. At 50, Mariam went back to school to finish her degree at Fontbonne University, fulfilling a promise to her daughter. She now volunteers with AARP, helping with tax aid and recently earning a 10-year pin for her dedication.
Mariam Whitford
Now retired, she loves starting her days with guiding questions: What can I learn? Who can I love? What can I impart into another person’s life?
Mariam’s career taught her the value of talking and listening to people, and she continues to use this skill at Crown Center and as a volunteer. She follows a few favorite quotes: “She’s never met a stranger,” “If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you,” and “The world is changed by your example, not your opinion.” While she misses the close friendships from her working years, she has found new ways to stay active and continues to learn and thrive at Crown Center. BIRTHPLACE
Crown Center recently hosted a special event for residents – a celebration of the artwork installed in the common spaces of our Crown community.
The collection features work from a talented group of artists whose creativity spans various media and styles. Each artist brings a unique perspective that promises to inspire and captivate.
We extend our sincere thanks to Michael Staenberg for his generous donation of artwork, which brings new life and vibrancy to our community at Crown Center.
Sharon Stone Powell, originally from New York, shared the journey that took her all over the world, and a life that has been filled with languages and learning. Her immersive experiences early in life instilled a love of languages and a comfort and curiosity in connecting with others. Having lived in Switzerland, France, Germany, and Israel, Sharon now thrives at Crown Center, our own multi-lingual and multicultural corner of the world.
Her career in St. Louis began in 1979, when she started work with an engineering firm based in Hazelwood, with German and Swiss leadership. For 21 years, Powell traveled across the world translating and interpreting; helping the company communicate, learning technical terms and electronic specifications along the way. She has also translated books, tutored, and taught various classes.
At 73, she acknowledges that learning new languages is harder but remains committed to finding common ground with others. “I like teaching people English as a second language. It’s a challenge. If their mother tongue is not one of the 8 languages I speak, I’m challenged to find a commonality. If I speak to someone who knows Yiddish, I use my German. If I speak to a West African, I know I can use my French. I always look for the common language.”
Sharon Stone Powell
BIRTHPLACE
New York
OCCUPATION Translator for an Engineering Firm English as a Second Language Teacher Volunteer
Though mostly retired, she stays active through freelancing and volunteering, using her many language skills. Sharon shared that though her energy varies, she stays active with gym classes and enjoys sharing stories with new people. She cherishes her new apartment at Crown Center, and appreciates its amenities, compassionate staff, and vibrant community.
PLACES LIVED New York
Switzerland
France
Germany
Israel
St. Louis Crown Center
Crown welcomed Michael Staenberg (above center) and artist Rick Wolf (left) as part of this special program.
Thank you! Tributes from January 2024 - June 2024
In Honor of
Sally Altman
Elizabeth Weiss
Samantha Cohen’s Confirmation
Crown Center Board & Staff
Crown Center
Carl Concellar
Rina Krasney
Christina Lloyd
Bonnie Davis’ NCJW Volunteer Service Award
Crown Center Board & Staff
Betsy Garland
Saul & Marilyn Dien
Laurie Dien & Alan Yaillen
Kari DiRoberto’s granddaughter
Ashley Thompson
Cindy Fishman
Shirlene Baris
Susan Glassman’s NCJW Volunteer Service Award
Betsy Garland
Nikki Goldstein’s Retirement
Marcy & Rick Cornfeld
Jerry & Marcia Esrig
Stanley & Jean Estrin
Kugelman Family
Shirley Tzinberg
Jewish Light Staff
Crown Center Board & Staff
Diane & Ed Kach’s 50th Anniversary
Anne Rosen
Crown Center Board & Staff
Judd Levy’s Bar Mitzvah
Crown Center Board & Staff
Marylen Mann’s Volunteer Award
Crown Center Board & Staff
Barry Rosenberg’s JCRC Award
Crown Center Board & Staff
Ken & Jane Rubin’s grandchild
Crown Center Board & Staff
Jill Schupp’s NCJW
Hannah G. Soloman Award
Betsy Garland
Crown Center Board & Staff
Jill & Mark Schupp’s granddaughter
Betsy & Spencer Garland
Rabbi Scott Shafrin
Crown Center Board & Staff
Michael Staenberg’s JProStL Recognition
Crown Center Board & Staff
Andy Thorp’s Miriam School Visionary Leadership Award
Betsy Garland
Sheldon Harber
Essie Rochman
Ann & Alan Spector
Jody Waldman
Miriam Wilhelm
Miriam Wilhelm’s Birthday
Vicki Lander
Lynn Wittels’ Retirement
Crown Center Board & Staff
Jake & Megan Zimmerman
Patti Wolkowitz
Stuart & Susie Zimmerman
Patti Wolkowitz
In Memory of
Emily Alper
Shirley Tzinberg
Richard Benkof
Adinah & Heschel Raskas
Paul Browning
Adinah & Heschel Raskas
Tomoko Callanan
Crown Center Board & Staff
Linda Cherrick
Ken & Cynthia Levin
Betty DuBro
Ken & Cynthia Levin
Adeline ‘Skip’ Eisenberg
Joyce Eisenberg
Susan Fleminger
Crown Center Board & Staff
Khasya Epshteyn
Crown Center Board & Staff
Marilyn Fox
Crown Center Board & Staff
Ann Frank, mother of Sherrie Weintrop
Crown Center Board & Staff
Rita Gonzales, sister of Terry & Carrie Flick
Circle@Crown Cafe Staff & Volunteers
Crown Center Board & Staff
Steve & Angela Groeteke’s mother
Sheldon Harber
Lisa Knoll’s mother
Crown Center Board & Staff
Jackie Kriegshauser
Billie & Myron Klevens
Emma Levina, mother of Boris Yasinev
Crown Center Board & Staff
Jerri Livingston
Ken & Cynthia Levin
Aleksandr Nogin
Michael A Nogin
William Northcutt
Sheldon Harber
Vida “Sister” Goldman Prince
Crown Center Board & Staff
Peggy Rosen
Tamar Fredman
Jacob Kach
Lenora Passer Sachar
Rob & Sherre Birenbaum
Ronnie Brockman
Bruce & Shelley Edwards
Marti & Harvey Ferdman
Sharon Frank
Betsy & Spencer Garland
Nikki Goldstein
Laura Greenberg
Sheldon Harber
Margi & Mike Kahn
Parc Provence Staff
Wendy Rosenblum
Marilyn & Denny Rubin
Randi & David Schenberg
Susan Schlueter
Carol & Skip Strelic
Crown Center Board & Staff
Phyllis Sandweiss
Crown Center Board & Staff
Geraldine Schiller
Beverlee Sagel
Kim Short
Ann & Alan Spector
Ruth Levinsohn Siteman
Crown Center Board & Staff
Gary Soule
Crown Center Board & Staff
Adinah & Heschel Raskas
Lillie Wartts
Crown Center Board & Staff
Larry Weltman
Debbie Tzinberg
Isadore & Bess Zeff
Keith & Karen Zeff
Shirley Zeffren
Crown Center Board & Staff
Eliyahu Moshe Zimbalist
Crown Center Board & Staff
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We apologize for any mistakes or omissions. Please inform us so that we can include you in the future by contacting Crown Center at 314-991-2055.
