Celebrating Centenarians-Bea Roth
This is one story in an occasional series profiling some of LW’s most long-lived residents, those who have reached the enviable age of 100 years or more. The series is running in connection with the Golden Age Foundation centenarian event held April 20. In most cases, a family member or friend has written the stories.
by Abby Abrams
special to the LW Weekly
In May 1922, Bea Roth was the first of four children born to Isidor and Frieda Aderman, who had just immigrated to the U.S. Their genetics are strong, as two of her younger sisters are still alive and kicking at 98 and 93 years old. She had a brother who passed away in 1994. Her parents settled in Brooklyn, New York, where Bea grew up and spent most of her life. Her parents owned a candy store, which sold newspapers, toys, cigars, cigarettes and everything in between. A highlight was the ice cream sodas from their fullservice soda fountain.
The whole family worked to maintain the business. Being the eldest, much of the responsibility fell onto Bea’s young shoulders. This is probably where Bea learned to be the social person that she became. Education was always very important to her family, and all of the children were encouraged to go as far as they could academically.
During World War II, Bea worked full-time as a secretary for the War Department while going to college at night. She earned both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in sociology from Brooklyn College.
In 1951, Bea married Ted Roth, a wonderful man who treated her like a queen from the moment he met her until the day he died in 1994.
They were happily married for 43 years. They lived in Brooklyn and raised three very devoted children, Roberta, Michael and Abby.
When her youngest child was starting school, Bea realized that it was time to go back to work. She took a leap of faith, went back to school and became a teacher.
She was a beloved elementary teacher for 20 years and made a significant impact on all those children lucky enough to find themselves in her classroom.
After retirement, Bea and Ted spent the next years enjoying time with friends and family and traveling throughout the country.
In 2002, a few years after the death of her husband and after much nagging and cajoling from her two younger children, Bea moved to Leisure World in sunny, warm SoCal.
Bea moved to Leisure World to be closer to her children and, more importantly, to her grandchildren, Adam, Tara and Gabriel.
Anyone who knows Bea knows that after a few minutes of conversation, her eyes will begin to sparkle as she says “Did I tell you about . . .”
There is always a great joke at the end of the sentence, and then maybe a few more jokes for good measure.
People know where Bea is because there’s usually a group laughing hysterically around her. If a great sense of humor and making people happy are considered good medicine, Bea will live forever.
Bea loves the education program provided by OLLI at California State University, Long Beach. She has been taking classes there for over 18 years. Favorites include Short Story Discussion, Geopolitics and Current Events.
Bea loves keeping up with the news, local, international and political. She has volunteered at the Leisure World Health Care Center and enjoyed many years of exercise classes. She is still a vocal member of the Democratic Club and has belonged to several other clubs and organizations over the years.
Bea is very adventurous. Well into her late 80s, she enjoyed whitewater rafting in Colorado and Alaska, ziplining in Hawaii, dog sledding on Mendenhall glacier, riding helicopters and sea planes and traveling to Russia and Europe.
She loves being a part of the Leisure World community. She is well versed in what is going on and has strong opinions about all of it.
She is a voracious reader and loves books of all kinds, particularly fiction and biographies.
As with everyone, COVID- 19 has seriously affected her social calendar, but she makes sure to regularly keep up by phone with all of her friends, both on the West Coast and the East Coast.
Once a friend of Bea’s, always a friend of Bea’s. Isn’t that a lovely way to go through life?
Bea is often asked why she feels she has been able to reach such an advanced age. People want to know what her secret is. Bea always answers this question the same way: “There’s no secret; I just didn’t die yet.”
Many people attribute her longevity to her positive attitude, inquisitive nature and grit. Bea is beloved by many, especially her family, smart and sharp as ever, outrageously funny and one of the most caring people you’ll ever meet. Everyone should be lucky enough to have this said about them.
The world has changed dramatically in Bea’s lifetime. She has lived through the Depression and several wars. She always kept up and adjusted to the dramatic changes that were going on in women’s rights, civil rights, cultural changes and all the major advances in technology. It’s been quite a ride so far. She hopes to live long enough to see “how things work out with climate change resolution and the future of the world.”
She is looking forward to continuing spending time with her family and friends and enjoying all of the pleasures that life continues to offer.
