Charlotte Rubens Bloomberg, 102
Charlotte Bloomberg with her son, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, at his inauguration in 2006. Courtesy photo.
BLOOMBERG,Charlotte Rubens Mother of New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and New York City Commissioner of the NYC Commission for the United Nations, Consular Corps & Protocol, Marjorie B. Tiven, died Sunday morning at her home in West Medford, MA. She was 102 years old.
She was an active community volunteer and known for maintaining a vigorous schedule until a few years ago. She served as co-president of her synagogue, Temple Shalom, when she was in her nineties. Mrs. Bloomberg frequently ate lunch out – Legal Seafood was a favorite – visited museums, and read the Boston Globe and New York Times on a daily basis and participated in her monthly book club. She also delighted in new family photographs and enjoyed the visits of family, friends and neighbors. She was a crack Scrabble player and continued playing as recently as last month. Born in Jersey City in 1909, Mrs. Bloomberg earned a bachelors degree in accounting from New York University in 1929, a time when few women attended college. She moved to West Medford in 1945. In addition to family responsibilities and volunteer work, for several years she worked as an office manager in Boston.
The Mayor was a devoted son and visited her frequently. A proud mother, Mrs. Bloomberg was an enthusiastic participant at the Mayor’s swearing-in ceremonies in 2002 and 2006. Her daughter, Marjorie Tiven was her constant companion and advisor. Together, they enjoyed looking back and researching their family history, recognizing in particular the work ethic and devotion to philanthropy the family is noted for today. They proudly set standards for Mrs. Bloomberg’s grandchildren going forward. With love and gratitude, the family made a donation in Mrs. Bloomberg’s name to Hadassah for the Camp Tel Yehudah program on her 90th birthday, and also dedicated a Children’s wing in her honor at the Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem in 2003 for her 95th. To commemorate her 100th birthday, they made possible the Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children’s Center at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. It is scheduled to open in 2012 and she took great pride in watching its construction over the last few years.
Charlotte Rubens married William H. Bloomberg in 1934. He died in 1963. She was the sister of the late Louis Rubens, Florence R. Tartalsky and Gertrude R. Hensher. In addition to her children, she is survived by five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Burial was private. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Medford Public Library, 111 High Street, Medford MA 02155, Temple Shalom, 475 Winthrop Street, Medford, MA 02155 or the Medford Chapter of Hadassah care of Temple Shalom. Levine Chapels, Brookline 617-277-8300.