Henrietta Dobin, “Energizer Bunny,” is 111 years young

In 1911, William Howard Taft was in the White House and the population of the United States was 93 million, less than one-third of what it is now.

Not many people in the world can claim to have been around when Taft was president. But one who can lives in Atlantic Beach.

Henrietta Dobin celebrated her 111th birthday Sunday with her family at the Nautilus in Atlantic Beach, where she moved a year ago after living in the Bristal Assisted Living home. Dobin, who was born August 17, 1911, in Poughkeepsie, married, Soloman Dobin, in 1930. He died away in 1990.

Henrietta and Soloman had two children. Their daughter, Myra, lives in Hewlett and their son, Stephen, lives in Long Beach. She also has five great-grandchildren, Sigal, Eitan, Melaney, Jenna and Shoshana.

“She’s a wonderful grandmother,” said Dr. Richard Markowitz, her grandson and doctor. “She has always loved to paint and was an avid bridge player. She has lived quite the life”

Dobin volunteered for several years at the Nassau County Museum of Art until age 108, when Covid forced her to stop. She also worked for the New York State Liquor Authority over 80 years ago and spent some time working for a newspaper. She also has visited places such as China, Russia and Iran.

She has also had numerous homes throughout the years, including in Queens, East Rockaway, St. Thomas, Miami and Lake George.

“It’s just amazing what she’s lived through and seen,” her daughter Myra said. “She was born the same year as the Triangle Fire, the year before the Titanic sank and nine years before women could even vote.”

Myra said her mother has been very sick at times, but always pulled through.

“We call her the Energizer Bunny,” she said.