Estelle Jaffe Raises a Glass to 100

By Katie McFadden

Happy 100th birthday, Foo! On Monday, February 2, Estelle Jaffe enjoyed a glass of Riunite Lambrusco, surrounded my family, friends and neighbors, as she celebrated her special day.

As she wrapped up doing a crossword puzzle and taking calls from loved ones at her birthday celebration at her home in Neponsit, where she’s lived since 1968, Jaffe said, “How do I feel for 99? Oh, wait a minute, I’m 100! I forgot about that. I’m surprised at myself. I like the fact that I’m this old and still capable of doing things. But I’d rather be 99 than 100.”

Reaching 100 may be due to being surrounded by those who love her, as seen in many photo frames around the home, and many who’ve helped her along the way, especially after her husband, Jack Jaffe, died in 2003. One guest, Charlie Arnemann, who Jaffe calls her buddy, and who helps her around the house and with making and taking her to appointments, said of her turning 100, “It’s pretty fantastic! She doesn’t like it though, she’s pissed that she’s 100 years old.”

But others were more than happy to see the lifelong Rockaway resident reach the milestone, including her aide for six years, Ana Singh. “She’s a wonderful person, always kind, smiling, laughing,” Singh said. “It’s amazing to see her turn 100.”

Another was her longtime physician, Vicky Backus, NP, who stopped by for the celebration. “I told her when she turns 100, she better have a party and invite me and she did and I’m very excited to be here,” Backus said, adding that she believes she played a role in getting Jaffe to this point. “I’m sure it’s not only from me, but I feel like I played a little part in her getting to where she is.”

What does Backus think helped get Estelle there? “Just good living and being a good person. It’s nice to have patients that are 100. I’ve had four or five that made it into their 100s, so it’s a good feeling inside,” she said, but she may take a page out of Jaffe’s book, who previously told The Rockaway Times that New York Times crossword puzzles and Riunite Lambrusco, which she has a glass of with dinner every night, is the key to making it to 100. “She says its crossword puzzles and a little wine, so I’m gonna do that soon,” Backus said with a smile.

And of course, Jaffe was joined by many friends and family members, including nieces, nephews and cousins. “It’s incredible to see her turn 100,” Lisa Baretz said. “We talk on the phone and when I tell her, talk to you soon, she says ‘If I’m here.’ I say you’re not going anywhere! You’re gonna outlive us all.” Baretz brought Jaffre’s 100th birthday cake to the celebration, which was presented to the centurion as everyone sang happy birthday.

Her nephew, Brad Goodman, helped organize the celebration at her home, with food catered from Ciros. “I think this was fabulous,” Goodman said. “We have a wonderful group here. I felt blessed that so many came. Everyone who means something to Estelle that could make it is here. Old friends from Rockaway, neighbors, nieces and nephews from both sides of the family. Here she is, 100 years old. Hopefully we’ll be lucky and have a few more years with her. She’s had no real illness. It must be that Rockaway salt air and the sand in her toes from growing up on Beach 85th Street.”

Although she’d rather forget now having three digits to her age, Jaffe enjoyed the occasion. “I’m content,” she said. “I’m seeing people that I haven’t seen in a long time. It’s nice!”