Marvelous Mensch

Alice Schnur

Orlando
Jewish Pavilion

Alice Schnur has never needed to go down a rabbit's hole to find Wonderland. Alice Schnur makes a wonderland wherever she might be. Alice Schnur is unmistakably Wonder Woman!

Schnur, 85, has been a resident at Horizon Bay in Altamonte Springs for over three years. For Schnur this is a brand new adventure and she is very excited to share her life with about 100 fellow residents.

Her apartment, a one bedroom loft on the second floor of the facility, is infused with warm pastels colors, and a strict sense of elegance. Schnur, impeccably dressed with a black cardigan and a silk scarf, receives her guests with aperitifs and chocolates, a tight hug, and the gift of her bright sweet smile.

At Horizon Bay, Schnur is highly popular. She gets praise from almost every one she's ever met. For others, the most introverted, strong-silent types, Alice Schnur is a "talker." But hear this, if Alice Schnur speaks, you better stop to listen. It could change your life as you know it.

Schnur was born in December which makes her an outgoing, colorful, fiery Sagittarius. Her father was from Poland, her mother, from Lithuania. Tragedy stroke early in Schnur's life. Her mother's family was killed at the German concentration camps during World War II. The family settled in New York, where Alice was born. The family owned a small place in a poor neighborhood in Brooklyn. That is, of course, long before Brooklyn became the new Manhattan!

Schnur never let anything bring her down. An optimistic by nature, she held numerous jobs in which she was able to excel because of her lively personality. In 1956 she moved to Florida, where she's stayed since. Married (and divorced) twice, Schnur is nowadays the proudest mother and grandmother. She speaks highly of her son and granddaughters with whom she remains very close.

Catching Schnur in her apartment could easily be called a luxury. She is quite a busy bee, keeping numerous appointments, attending luncheons or socializing with her friends at the residence.

Schnur is the life of every party, and she has taken part in quite a few. Wearing bright lipstick regardless of the occasion and sweeping boredom away, Schnur has a tour-de-force and the sassiness that the average 25-year-old would pray for. And surely, Schnur commands the vessel of wisdom!

Outspoken, she stands for her belief and she follows her heart every step of the way. An avid reader and a proud activist, there is never a dull moment in her life.

The Jewish Pavilion, in their remarkable crusade to assist the Seniors of Central Florida, refers to Schnur with great fondness and admiration. Schnur, a long-time supporter of the Pavilion's efforts, has nothing but words of praise for all the volunteers that so diligently take Judaism to the doors of Horizon Bay's residents-and dozens of others.

Schnur says: "Meeting and being with the Jewish Pavilion staff and the volunteers has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. They surely are very homey and warm and they bring us all closer to our heritage."

Alice Schnur is synonym of vitality and optimism. Her motto has always been: "Every day is a lifetime."

Schnur's kindness and sincerity is guaranteed to melt the chilliest of winds-and each of our hearts.