90-year-old gets her own day in Maitland

Maitland resident Pearl Metz celebrated her 90th birthday in a very unique way. As a birthday present, Maitland Mayor John Lowndes presented her with a proclamation declaring April 22, 2021, “Pearl Metz Day” in the city of Maitland. Not only did she receive a certificate, a “yard card” was placed in her front yard.

Born in New York, New York, she met her husband, Bill, in February 1954 on a blind double date — only he wasn’t her date! They were married five months later on July 4, and celebrated 59 years with fireworks on their anniversary until Bill died in 2013.

She and Bill moved to Winter Park in 1960. In 1962 they moved to Dommerich Estates in Maitland, then to the Oakleigh neighborhood in 1972, where she still lives. The Metz’s joined Congregation of Reform Judaism around 1965 or 1966, back when it was the Congregation of Liberal Judaism and Rabbi Wallach was the lead clergyman. The synagogue was in a building at the corner of Ferncreek and Robinson, near downtown.

“There weren’t enough classrooms for a religious school so we had ‘Saturday school’ and used the Unitarian Church’s classrooms two blocks down the street,” Metz’s daughter, Carolyn Rosenblum, shared. 

The family was present when CLJ broke ground for its current building on Malone Drive, and Bill Metz donated funds for one classroom, in memory of his father.

A consummate volunteer, Metz shared her artistic talents with her synagogue, the National Council of Jewish Women, Girl Scouts, and all the schools her children attended throughout the years.

Metz has three children: Dr. Richard Metz of Carmel, Ind., Rosenblum of Ocoee, and Joanne Metz of Casselberry; and four grandchildren: Alex, Jordan, Sam and Ben.