Lee Starkowitz (98) shares her secrets to a meaningful life
Beloved Polokwane resident Lee Starkowitz celebrates her 98th birthday with laughter, wisdom and unmatched spirit.
POLOKWANE – When someone mentions a 98th birthday, most people picture a frail figure, possibly bedridden or wheelchair-bound.
But Lee Starkowitz defies every stereotype.
Walking into her home on Saturday was like entering a lively celebration.
Visitors streamed in to congratulate her, and Lee, poised like the queen she is, greeted each one warmly, asking after their well-being and offering something to eat.
Remarkably, despite being blind, Lee recognises every guest by voice alone.
As far as Lee is aware, she is the last remaining Jewish resident in Polokwane.
“The Jewish community here was once vibrant, with over a hundred families. But they all moved away over the years,” she said. Her parents owned a shop where she and her siblings learned to speak Afrikaans, English, Sepedi and Yiddish. “I was never afraid to climb a ladder and do what was needed,” she added.
Asked how it feels to be 98, Lee chuckles and responds, “It feels just like yesterday”.
Her secret? “Don’t complain. People don’t want to hear that. They want stories that uplift them. I believe in staying positive and keeping busy – that’s the key to a long and fulfilling life.”
During the party, one visitor jokingly asked how long she’d smoked. Without missing a beat, Lee admitted she had smoked for years and that quitting was one of the hardest things she’s done.
Her message to the youth is clear: “Don’t smoke or drink. And be careful who you trust, because words matter.”
Lee still dreams of returning to work, saying she’s not the type of woman who can sit still. She now lives alone with her helper, following the recent passing of her son.
“I’m thinking of moving to Johannesburg. I have family there. I do get lonely, but I try to make the best of it.” Despite her blindness, she still takes walks to keep her legs strong. Her memory remains sharp, filled with vivid stories of her life in Polokwane, though she admits some childhood memories are fuzzy.
“I started school in an Afrikaans school, and the principal was Mr Swart. Later, I stayed in a hostel. It was primitive. We even had to walk far to get water for showers.”
Her laughter filled the room as friends shared stories and jokes. Married to Solly at age 20, Lee had two sons – Charles and Harold.
Solly and Charles have since passed, and Harold now lives in Israel with his family. She’s a proud grandmother to six and great-grandmother to “more than two hands can count”.
Happiest of birthdays, Lee!
