Hannah Schorr died peacefully on Saturday, July 11, at her home in Flushing, New York, two days shy of her 92nd birthday.
Hannah was born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1928, the second of five daughters (Ray Ruth, Belle, Norma and Shirley), to Jewish immigrant parents,Isidor and Ester Schwartz. In addition to the five sisters, their household included her cousin, Sammy, who escaped the Holocaust. She attended Eastern District High School in Brooklyn and received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Education, Psychology and Sociology from Brooklyn College. She earned a Master’s degree and a PhD in Education from New York University.
A lifelong educator, she initially worked as an elementary school teacher and then as anAdjunct Professor of Education at Hunter College, and later ran the Nursing Home Administration Program at CW Post College at Long Island University. Her two academic interests, the Ocean Hill-Brownsville desegregation conflict and effects of family visitations on the functioning of nursing home residents, remain relevant in this moment. Later in life, she joined her husband, Philip Schorr at his property management company, Rental & Management Associates (RMA), where she spearheaded tenant education and was Vice President.
As a young woman, Hannah was a Social Hostess at Grossinger’s, the legendary Catskills Resort, and met her husband of 64 years, Philip Schorr, on a ski trip at Lake Placid, NY. Together they raised two children, Brian and Beth. She was active in the PS 21 PTA and was President of the Hunter College High School PTA.
While working, raising a family, and managing to entertain and host her many relatives at multiple family celebrations, she displayed a fierce devotion to family and fostered a sense of togetherness that will never be forgotten.
Hannah was never afraid to try new things later in life. She taught swimming before she learned to swim. She learned to ride a bicycle in her 40s. She had an adult Bat Mitzvah and learned to play the harp in her 70s. She took numerous painting and drawing classes well into her 80’s, which culminated with an exhibition of one of her paintings at Flushing Town Hall.
Hannah was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who raised her children to be strong, independent minded adults like herself. Over the years, she enjoyed music, theater, travel and particularly enjoyed spending time in her country home in Litchfield County, CT where she and Phil were founding members of the Sherman JCC.
Hannah is survived by her 94 year old husband, Philip; their children Brian (Amy) and Beth (Chuck Lesnick) and their grandchildren Caryn, Matthew, Emily (Jamila Humphrie), and Ariel (Anna Sarneso); and three of her sisters.
Contributions can be made in her memory to the Sherman Chamber Ensemble in Sherman, CT and Temple Gates of Prayer in Flushing, NY where she was an active member for nearly sixty years.
