Who is “Mildred Mae,” anyway?
That’s what everyone asks us.
Well, Mildred Mae isn’t one woman.
She’s two.
Florence Mildred
Bromberg
née Levine
Florence Mildred is Elisabeth’s paternal grandmother. She was born in 1920 in Minsk, when Belarus was still a part of the Russian Soviet Republic, but emigrated with her parents to Brooklyn, NY when she was just 9 months old. She passed away on March 4, 1999.
Florence Mildred married Elisabeth’s grandfather, Louis Bromberg, in 1941 at the start of World War II, and after the war, became a 6th grade teacher at PS 164 in Queens, NY, where she taught gifted and talented students.
Florence Mildred was bold, strong, and sharp as a tack. Despite her modest upbringing, she was highly cultured, well-read, and a great conversationalist. She once won the equivalent of $20,000 playing slots at a casino in Cannes. She loved her family fiercely and was especially passionate about sharing her gifts with those she loved. She taught Elisabeth her favorite songs, how to play piano duets, and even, accidentally, the meaning of “the birds and the bees.” Whether as a teacher, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, or a friend, she spent her life enriching the lives of those around her. Louis often referred to her as Eishet Chayil, a Hebrew term for “Woman of Valor” in reference to Proverbs 31:10-31.
Gloria Mae
Hahneman
née Smith
Gloria Mae is Elisabeth’s maternal grandmother. She was born in Brisbane, Australia in 1925. She passed away from heart disease, far too young, in 1980, and sadly was never able to meet any of her grandchildren.
Gloria Mae met Elisabeth’s grandfather, Kenneth Hahneman, during WWII, when he was docked with the US Navy at Brisbane. They fell in love and were married, and after the war, she returned with him to the USA.
Gloria Mae was a housewife for most of the time her kids were growing up - and she poured her whole heart into being a mother. She spent all the time she could with her children, playing with them, encouraging them in their studies, and perhaps most importantly, supporting their passions and encouraging them to dream big dreams. She adored reading as did Elisabeth’s mom, Cathy, and whenever she could, Gloria Mae bought Cathy books and delighted in sharing this great love with her daughter.
Despite never meeting Gloria Mae, Elisabeth grew up hearing stories about her from her mother.