Sylvia Tuckman List of honorees Louis Rose Society Jewishsightseeing home
Writings about Sylvia Tuckman
-2003-
A Story About Sylvia Told by Her Husband of 65 years
in 2003
From the Lower East Side of New York at Suffolk and
Rivington Streets to the lakes of Las Vegas, Nevada
In 1937 Sylvia Goldberg was chosen from ELECTRAD, an electronics company in New
York, to work under contract for six months in Indianapolis, Indiana, at P.R.
Mallory to train operators. Never having been out of New York City, this was
indeed a special opportunity she could not refuse.
Sylvia was living on the fifth floor in a three-room apartment. Her parents had
died at an early age—her mother of cancer at 36, and her father at 46 of a
broken heart. She was only 18 years of age when she was left with the
difficult task of caring for and supporting her younger brothers. Harry
was 11, Sidney 8, and Julie 4. It was hard to make ends meet. She
worked sixty grueling hours a week for $6 a week as a worker in an electronics
plant. There weren't even any Jewish organizations to help out.
When Sylvia was 19, her brothers were sent to Widler's, a foster home (don't
ask). Sylvia stayed with a friend, Shirley Shapiro, where she slept on a couch
in a room lit by only a 60-watt light bulb. Sylvia gave her brothers $1 per week
for spending money.
When Sylvia was offered a job with P.R. Mallory at $25 a week including moving
expenses, it was real luxury. Those six months passed very quickly.
The company needed her knowledge and tried to convince her to stay longer. The
personnel manager, Mr. Griffin, approached me (I was an employee there) and told
me of an employee from New York they needed badly to hang onto and asked if I
would mind an introduction. After an interview with Sylvia, she told me she
didn't mind staying a little longer IF she could stay with a Jewish family and
eat Jewish meals. There were very few Jews working at P.R. Mallory at that
time. Sylvia worked in the Blue Room on a secret project with wire controls.
I told my grandmother, Bubby, about Sylvia from New York who needed a room.
"Bring her to supper Friday night," she said. after that she
offered to rent Sylvia a room for $15 a week, including meals at her home at 902
Maple Street, Indianapolis. Sylvia stayed and after a bit we got to liking
each other. We became engaged and were married July 3, 1938. I purchased a
diamond wedding ring for $25 at a pawn shop! My Bubby made the
wedding. What a BASH! Corned beef sandwiches, potato salad and dill
pickles. Sylvia and I honeymooned at the Beauty Rest Motel for one dollar
a night. We stayed ONE night. Big spender!
Our daughter, Phyllis Jean, was born in 1943, and
that same year, World War II came along for me. I was called to duty and was
wounded in Germany in 1945. I got lucky. I came back in one piece, thank
God, and Sylvia waited for me.
No work, no job, no money. My Uncle Morris said, "Come to Chicago!" We
opened up a dry cleaning business. We were so happy. Sylvia wanted another
child. In 1946, our daughter, Shelly Ann, was born. We decided we didn't
like Chicago because it was too cold. We packed up and moved to a warmer
climate—California.
We had a dry cleaning business in Westwood Village, California. We traveled
during this time. She asked if we someday could go to the Catskills. That
was our first trip; we took a plane to New York on a Thursday, came back Monday.
In New York, when we got aboard a bus to the Catskills, the driver said
"Sylvia?" She replied "Sammy?"
He was one of the Widler brothers where her brothers had lived growing up.
Helene Diamond was a friend and a travel agent. On one of Helene's trips,
she met and talked with many women who were going to Israel. "Where
is your husband?" she asked. "My husband passed away," was the
answer. She asked me if I wanted Sylvia to go to Israel by herself. "Who
would stay at the pressing machine?" I replied.
I bought two tickets to Israel, and our traveling days began. We went to
Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, all over. This is the trip all Jewish people hope to make.
We went to Warsaw, Poland, where I was born. We visited Auschwitz, Krakow,
Moscow, Russia; to the Great Wall of China, Shanghai and Hong Kong, Kowloon and
Macaw and Stanley Bay where there is a great flea market. We went to Rome,
Italy; Helsinki, Finland; Paris, France; Greece; Sweden; Morocco; Rio de Janeiro,
the Amazon jungle; Lima, Peru; Bali; Bangkok, Thailand, and Alaska.
We were invited to attend the Centennial of the Statue of Liberty in New York,
July, 1986, for the four-day extravaganza celebrating its restoration, with many
immigrants. This was especially thrilling. Although we had good
times in California, because of health reasons we moved to the Lakes in Las
Vegas, Nevada.
Over the years, Sylvia got involved with the HIAS, Hadassah and Pioneer Women,
to name a few. She became a life member. My Sylvia is a very generous
woman; she never turned down a Jewish donation or any organization. What a
Jewish mother! If ever someone needed to be written about, please, she is
worth it!
My Sylvia had a rough childhood, never owned a
doll until after we were married.
Ah the memories! Dancing the night away at the Roseland Ballroom.
Through the years we traveled together, loved together, made our lives together
through laughter and tears for 65 years.
July 3, 2003, we celebrated 65 years together.
My Sylvia's health is not good. She doesn't get
around much any more, having suffered from colon cancer, hip surgery, pace
makers and osteoporosis. But to this day, she remains about a fighter.
Today and for the rest of our lives, it is all about Sylvia Goldberg. She just
turned 90. I am so grateful and lucky.
I would still be hanging around the pool room at Jyp & Hogan's on the south
side of Indianapolis, Indiana, if Sylvia hadn't said 'Yes!' I'm Sylvia's
husband, AL TUCKMAN
(Editor's Note: Since Al wrote this story, Sylvia passed away. We wish
to express our sincere condolences to Al, their family and friends. May
she rest in peace.)
-2005-
April 14, 2005—Amanda Daniels, "Couples love has endured challenges," San
Diego Union-Tribune, April 14, 2005, feature on Sylvia & Al Tuckman and
their life at Seacrest Village Retirement Communities in Encinitas: http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050414/news_m1m14tfencin.html
June 29, 2005—"Sylvia Tuckman," obituary, San Diego Union-Tribune, June
29, 2005, http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050629/news_1m29obitqz.html
Fall 2005— 1) Seacrest Village Retirement
Communities, Happenings: Senior Living in the Jewish Tradition, pages
6-7: It is through the generosity of our Donors that we are able to provide for
the well-being of each of our residents. We appreciate your generosity. The
following list represents all Donors to our many efforts beginning July 1, 2004
and ending June 30, 2005. These gifts have helped the Homes to provide the
vital services needed for our residents.... Mr. and Mrs* Al Tuckman...
(*of blessed memory).
2) Seacrest Village Retirement
Communities, Happenings: Senior Living in the Jewish Tradition, pages
12-13: We gratefully acknowledge those individuals who have chosen to support
Seacrest Village retirement Communities through the Tribute Program. Gifts
received through this program help to ensure quality of life for our
residents. ...In Memory Of...Sylvia Tuckman (from) Mal and Stan Smiedt....