“We met at dinner and the rest is history. There is so much to do together here at Lions Gate. Our lives are wonderful.”

Judy Pyle & Lew Schwarz, Lions Gate Residents – Dating Since 2019.

Judy Pyle wasn’t looking to become part of a couple again. But sometimes happiness has a way of finding you when you least expect it.

“I moved to Lions Gate in July 2018,” said Judy. “There was a resident named Ernie who would sit at a big table in the dining room that held 12 people. Every night he would have a full table, and he’d introduce different people to one another. That’s how I met my best friend, Alice Bronstein. Ernie introduced us at his table. I had been living at Lions Gate for about a year, and one night Ernie sits me down at his table next to someone I’d never seen before.”

“That was me,” laughed Lew.

“Lew and I talked that night at dinner, and we just started going to concerts and lectures together,” said Judy. “Ernie was a people person. He just knew who to sit next to who, who would become friends, and who would start dating.”

“He really did,” said Lew. “And we’ve been together ever since.”

Lew was married to his wife for 54 years, and together they had three children, four grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Judy was married to her husband for 40 years, and together they had two children and four grandchildren. Each of their spouses had passed when they moved to Lions Gate. “We have a lot in common,” said Lew. “I had been a pharmacist, and Judy had been a clinical scientist who ran clinical trials at a pharmaceutical company. We both enjoy music, so we go to all the concerts here. We enjoy children, so we both have a great time partnering with the Kellman Brown students for the Better Together program. And we both love cats. I have two cats — Shachoor and Naseecha — and Judy has her cat, Murray. We like spending time together.”

“We each have our own apartment, and I like it that way,” laughed Judy. “We can spend time together, but still do our own thing. I can think of at least ten couples that have met after moving to Lions Gate. I think it’s the great programming that they have here at Lions Gate that gets everyone out of their apartments and socializing all the time. There are so many classes and concerts to go to. There are clubs for cards and mahjong and even Yiddish conversation. You can go to the fitness center or the pool. You can play ping pong or watch a movie. You can grab lunch at the Bistro or snack on hors d’oeuvres at happy hour. With all the activities at Lions Gate you’re sure to find a best friend…or maybe even a boyfriend.”

“I’m officially the boyfriend,” said Lew. “Murray gave me his approval.”