Born as Tessie Shirley Pierce on August 29, 1923, amidst the cascades of Niagara Falls, her early years were marked by a transition to Cleveland at the tender age of 5. It was there that her family found a spiritual anchor in the Cleveland Jewish Center, fostering Tess's fervent Zionist spirit from an early age. A deep-seated commitment, likely seeded by her brother's military service, compelled Tess to enlist in the Marine Corps in 1942. Tess stood as the solitary woman at Camp Lejeune and upheld her kosher dietary practice and engaged in steadfast religious observances.
Upon the conclusion of her basic training, Tess's assignment led her to Marine Corps headquarters in Arlington, VA. There, ensconced within the signal division, she assumed the mantle of a teletype machine operator. It was her duty to compile and curate the lists bearing the names of fallen, injured, and captured soldiers who had traversed the brutal theaters of war. A task both somber and monumental, Tess embraced this responsibility with tenacity, giving voice to the unspoken sacrifices made by countless heroes.
In 1945 Tess crossed paths with Army veteran Morris Garber, a man who had weathered eight battles in the North African campaign. United by their shared experiences and indomitable spirits, the duo embarked on the journey of marriage on May 19, 1946.
In 1947, Tess found herself at the nexus of international diplomacy as she assumed the role of a veritypist at the United Nations, then headquartered in Lake Success. Relocating to Long Beach as newlyweds, the couple's journey traversed Hempstead, Westbury, and finally settling in Jericho by 1958 - a place Tess continues to call home. Their roots in Jericho burgeoned as they joined the Midway Jewish Center, a community that would bear witness to the upbringing of their two children.
Tess's professional arc followed an illustrious trajectory, spanning 33 years in the Nassau Library System. Even as the tides of time flowed inexorably, Tess's unwavering dedication to her work mirrored the enduring commitment she held for her late husband. Morris Garber, her partner of 65 years, passed away in 2011.
As Tess Garber marks a century of life, her journey intertwines with the grand tapestry of history - a poignant reminder of the sacrifices of the Greatest Generation and a living testament to the indomitable human spirit.
The information for this article was found on the Jewish Historical Society of Long Island website. For more Jewish history on Long Island click here.