She loves Minnie Mouse for her loyalty to Mickey, was a prolific cook under the tutelage of her husband, and says she will help anyone who asks.
Meet Myra, 84, the new leader of Rose Schnitzer Manor Assisted Living’s Resident Council, also known as President Fox.
“Who thought I’d be leading this whole motley crew?!” said Myra, with her typical deadpan humor. “When they asked me to be president, I told them to forget it. And then they kept following me around telling me I was going to be president. We will do this; we will do that, blah, blah.”
Myra laughs.
“And here I am. I never thought that I would be able to speak in front of people like I’m doing. Am I doing, okay?”
President Fox—the mistress of bustle and banter—is originally from New York. Born in the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn, Myra’s family moved to Queens when she was 12, and she attended Jamaica High School, until they built Morris High School, not far from her home.
“From there, I went to work,” said Myra. “I’ve been working since I was 16.”
Myra worked at a manufacturing business, and then as a paraeducator in the Bronx.
“It was a hard school to be in, a very diverse community in a devastated area.”
Myra met her husband, Ken, a stockbroker, through a friend, and they married after a year of dating, moving to Valley Stream. Ken was a cook in the United States Army, and taught Myra how to cook.
“I took off from there, and cooked all the time, and everyone knew I was a good cook. (But be sure to ask her about her split pea soup Thanksgiving disaster and nut bread in a 4H can).
When their children went off to college, Ken and Myra moved to xx, Florida, and owned a laundry business.
“It was heavy work; a horrible experience,” she said.
Eager to move from Florida, the couple sold their business and moved to San Diego, into their daughter’s house, to care for their first grandchild.
And then Ken got sick and died.
“I was the full-time grandparent,” said Myra. “We moved to a larger house, another child arrived, and I did the cooking, and they went to work.”
Myra’s daughter, Rena, eventually stopped working, so Myra moved into her own place. Her daughter’s family then moved to Oregon. And Myra later followed.
In Portland, Myra lived on her own in an apartment for 10 years.
“I never really thought about being in a home or assisted living,” admits Myra. “I thought I would be in my own apartment my whole life. And that they would take me out. I never really thought that far ahead.
“One, I never thought I’d be alone. Number two, I was taking care of myself and my cat. I was able to sit and look at trees and had my own washer and dryer, and I became very friendly with the ladies on my floor. And I was having a good time. I had my car, and I was able to jump in it, and go wherever I wanted.”
And then she fell, fracturing her pelvis. Myra stayed at the Robison Jewish Health Center/Harold Schnitzer Center for Living at Cedar Sinai Park to recuperate for two weeks. Returning home, she fell again, and her son, Alan, and Rena arrived to ask for the car keys.
“They said they wanted me to move to assisted living,” she said. “I think I cried for three days; it was hard to take in.
“I don’t like to be bossed around too much,” she said, with her mischievous smile.
After visits to other communities, Myra and her daughter found a studio with a window at Rose Schnitzer Manor Assisted Living, and she moved in early 2022.
Though the Jewish focus was not a factor in her elder living search, Myra said it’s nice that people understand her when she uses certain words.
“I’ve met good friends here,” she said. “I joined the book club, and go to the monthly series on current events. I always find myself busy with a movie, or Bingo, or exercise, or mindfulness class, and I love the outings to restaurants and shopping. There’s always something to do if you want.
“It was hard at first because of the difference in privacy. But I’m happy living here,” she said. “Nothing is ever 100 percent no matter where you are. But here, it’s pretty close.”
Myra said she appreciates the conscientiousness of the health staff.
“Samira [Health Services certified medication aide] practically saved my life last year before I went into the hospital. I was not feeling well, and it was a weekend, and she called me and said she ‘didn’t like my numbers’ and was going to send me to the hospital, and it turned out I needed to be there.
“The staff here care, and they know about you. It’s a good feeling to know that someone is interested in you, and will take care of you.
“I like the community feel. I like that if something is wrong, someone will help you.
“You are never alone.”
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