‘Erna’ Freisinger celebrates 100th birthday

WARWICK — When Ernestine “Erna” Freisinger was born in Vienna, Austria, on July 4, 1912, the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination in 1914 is considered the immediate cause of World War I, was the presumptive heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. And people still preferred the horse and carriage over the automobile, communicated by letter or postcard and only traveled long distances by train or ship. On Wednesday, July 4, Freisinger celebrated her 100th birthday with close members of her family at her residence in Schervier Pavilion, a 120-bed skilled nursing facility on the Warwick Campus of the Bon Secours Charity Health System. Erna, as she is known to her friends and staff, has lived at Schervier Pavilion since 2003. She emigrated from Austria to the United States when she was 28 years old. She has been a resident of Warwick since 1941 and was married to Dr. H.R. Freisinger, now deceased, who practiced medicine in this area. She is also the mother of recently retired Dr. Gerard Freisinger, who also had his practice in Warwick. Erna has two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A former member of the Warwick Art League and award-winning artist, Erna Freisinger’s paintings have been shown throughout the region and many are displayed in the homes of local residents. Her artwork was once selected for the cover of the Warwick Valley Telephone Company’s directory. Freisinger’s 100th birthday wish was for her friends and relatives to enjoy good health. She credits her own longevity to having a loving family as well as the health care she receives at Schervier Pavilion. “The people here are good to me,” she said.