Shirley Brickman was born in 1921 in New York City’s Washington Heights neighborhood. Her father made men’s neckties for a living. Shirley had two older sisters. After finishing high school, she went to Hunter College and majored in Education. Shirley married her husband in 1944, while he served as a pilot for the US Navy. Afterwards,they moved to Virginia and opened a hotel. The couple had two children, six grandchildren, and fourteen great grandchildren. Fourteen years ago they moved to Florida to supposedly retire. After the move, Shirley’s husband began selling airplane parts till he passed away twelve years ago. After several falls and a major hospital stay, the family convinced her to move into an ALF. Shirley attended her first TOP class and was very grateful for it bringing back her memories about Judaism.