Mary S Kaplan

My mother was a trailblazer for her times. She went to work when Gloria and I were in high school, working in Lane’s Department Store in the camera department. That in itself was a miracle, because she was technically inept.

When she became bored working in the department store, she took the Civil Service exam to work in the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles. She did very well on the exam and started working as a cashier at the DMV. When she retired at age 60 she was the head cashier at the Westbury DMV office. She and my Dad then bought a condo in Florida, were snow birds, and eventually retired there.

My parents made a life for themselves in Florida with many of their friends who moved there during the same period. She and Mike were married for 62 years, it was a loving and tempestuous marriage.

During my Mother’s entire life, until very recently, she was a vital, active person, enjoying mah jong, canasta, bridge, golf, and playing the slot machines. She took up golf and bridge in her 80’s!

My Mother’s greatest joy was to be with her family. Gloria and I were the center of attention until Marci, David and Seth came along. We would make trips to Florida to see them every year. When Seth became a teenager, he began making trips to Florida on his own to see Nana and Poppa Mike.

Then along came the Great Grandchildren, Marci & Craig’s girls Rebecca and Alex, David & Leslie’s boys Brendan, Ethan & Nate, and Seth & Beth’s boys, Josh, Evan and Justin. Now the Grandchildren weren’t her main focus; it was the Great Grandchildren. Mom loved all of her Great Grandchildren, but I would like to say a few words about Josh & Rebecca. Whenever Josh and his GG saw each other there was electricity and big smiles on both their faces. After Mom moved to NY, Josh frequently made trips with us to Long Island to see her. He willingly trucked along with us to do Mom’s errands to the supermarket, doctors, stores, etc. This couldn’t have been fun for Josh, but there he was, time and again. Rebecca became especially close with her, spending many long hours this summer taking care of her, trying to keep her safe, and attending to her every need, even though Mom fired her more than once because she always fought having aides.

She had a long life, and a good life, and left a wonderful legacy for her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and all who were close to her. Live life to the fullest, be generous to others, be honest and cherish your family.