In March of twenty six, dear friends, a milestone came alive—
A shining, joyful moment: Bobby turning ninety five.
From Philly roots to Waynesboro, she grew both bright and popular,
A star whose appeal and laughter made each room feel spectacular.
At RPI she studied hard, her future wide and deep,
Till one day on 34th Street, fate took a sudden leap.
She spotted someone playing handball—“Who is that handsome guy?”
Her friend replied, “You don’t know Boodie Friedman? You two will surely fly.”
He asked her out not once but twice—each time she had a previous plan,
The third? A boat in choppy seas—she said, “no way,” to that brave young man.
Still, he tried again, and that fourth ask would be a start,
To a love that lasted seventy years, two souls, one beating heart.
On their first date she told him straight, “You’re going to marry me,”
He laughed—but she was right, of course, as everyone could plainly see.
She left her path as a physical therapist and built a life instead,
With Boodie, her beloved prince, the one she chose to wed.
Now Norfolk is her kingdom where she’s lived a life so grand,
Three children—Alan, LynneDee, Penny—her extraordinary band.
Each morning with her crossword and her trusty orange slice,
Though sometimes she’ll switch to a banana—for something different and nice.
Mom emphasized education and studying with thoughtful care,
Penny became an accomplished teacher, an educator extraordinaire.
LynneDee supported children with unique special needs,
Alan ensured pharmacy information would not mistakenly mislead.
She writes, creates, imagines—Temple Israel knows it well,
Her plays brought joy and laughter and the stories she could tell.
A friend so true and trusted, with a Yiddish lilt so sweet,
Who loves key lime and chocolate delights—her favorite dessert treats.
Bobby’s a Mahjongg Maven through and through, a knitter with great flair,
A reader who librarians greet with joy when she is often there.
When weather’s fine she jokes, “I played pickleball today!”
Her kids all know she’s teasing—but they go with it anyway.
Working at UJF with Sonny Lefcoe—witty, warm, a dear,
Who knew he’d be her mayechutan in a later, blessed year?
With Darryl’s dental wisdom, panache, and charms galore,
It’s clear that Bobby’s son Alan certainly did score.
And family wove through friendships—how life can intertwine,
Bobby’s mechutanim, Morty and Esther—were oh so very divine.
Allan—a mister fix-it and believe us, this is not fakery,
He made delicious bread at Richmond’s Weiman’s Bakery.
For Bobby, mishpocheh is the center of her life,
Mentor, guide, role model, mother and wife.
Grammy to her grands and greats, each one a cherished treasure—
JD, Andrea, Lee, and Orly—names she speaks with pleasure.
As if that wasn’t enough, great love abounds much more,
Generations continue to expand—it warms Bobby to the core.
Penny’s joys are Allie, Ross, and Grace who joined the crew,
Then Shane, Hugh, Maya, Vera—great grand blessings, too.
At ninety five she’s thriving still, silver hair and manicured nails,
Driving off to Wegmans and home again to check her numerous emails.
From her perch at the Oceans, watching surf and sky unfold,
She speaks to her heavenly prince in whispers soft and bold.
So, Mom and Grammy, on this day, with hearts that overflow,
With all our love, all our lives—and thanks—for countless ways you glow.
May this small Mother’s Day surprise bring joy that brightly thrives,
For the woman we adore so much—Bobby at ninety five.
— Your Children
Sitting: Boodie and Bobby Friedman.