A few years ago Fifi Froelich reached the point where she couldn’t see herself living the rest of her life in Dayton, Ohio. Not that there’s anything wrong with Dayton. She’d lived there for 66 years and worked as an educational psychologist in an urban school system. All her life she’d done everything she was supposed to do. She was glad she’d been there when everyone needed her, but after she retired, Fifi needed more. She wondered, “Is that all there is?”
“I told my husband if I sit anymore on the couch, I’ll die of a stroke.”
“My mother’d just died and my husband’s always busy,” said Fifi. “I was feeling frustrated. I had this beautiful home in Dayton. I wasn’t ready to be a docent. When friends began to retire to California, Florida and Charleston, I was at loose ends. I would get up and drive to Yellow Springs with my dog and walk for two hours. Then I’d come home and say, “Now what?
“My husband’s still working, and we have an active social life, but I needed a more culturally active life. There’s only so many times you can go to the one, beautiful art museum in Dayton. I couldn’t do this in retirement.”
A lot of women don’t listen to their little voice for fear of what they’ll hear, but Fifi Froelich listened and took action. “I told my husband if I were in New York City, 10 days a month to help out with the grandchildren, that’s at least $3,000 a month in expenses. I could have an apartment for that. He didn’t say no.”
With an understanding husband and a son and daughter-in-law and new grandchild in nearby Brooklyn,
Fifi took the plunge and rented an apartment on the Upper East Side of New York City.
“It will soon be three years I’ve lived here. I don’t think I’m a particularly brave person. I’m not daring. I don’t take risks. You do have to have a certain amount of courage to travel the streets everyday and be in New York, but moving here was easier than retiring. I was surprised at how long it took me to stop thinking about work and then to be comfortable with not working.
“I belong to 11 or 12 museums and if you follow me on Instagram, I’m someplace almost every night. If you live here, and you’re not taking advantage of what’s in the city, then it’s ‘shame on me.’ Put on a blouse with a popup collar, have a simple classic bob, and you always look great. I find it easy to make friends in New York, and I’ve made wonderful friends here.
Like with you, Brenda. We sat next to one another at an event at the 92St Y a couple of years ago, and as we left, I asked if you’d like to go have a glass of wine with me?”
Fifi’s move to New York City was the beginning of a new life for her and her husband. When she really misses him, or her son in Indianapolis, she goes to Dayton or her husband and sometimes her son comes to New York. Her husband moved his office to downtown Dayton, and after 31 years, the tenant in their downtown rental apartment moved out. Since their apartment is paid for, they decided to sell their beautiful home with the high maintenance boxwoods. Downtown Dayton is undergoing a renaissance, so they’re gutting and updating the apartment and planning to live there. “It’s going to be gorgeous,” said Fifi.
“For now this is working for us. I’ve worked hard my entire life, and I know how very fortunate I am.”
43 thoughts on “FIFI’S SHOULDA, COULDA, WOULDA, DID RETIREMENT”
What is Fifi’s Instagram? Would adore to follow
Totally love this! Fifi, I want to meet you! Brenda, please give Fifi my contact info. Instagram @joycemsullivan
You are dynamite. Too much for a city like dayton. Makes sense that you are in the big apple.
What a fascinating and creative woman! Go Fifi!!!
Fifi rocks!
I love people who actually do things. I’m not ready, yet, to give up my house I move out of the country, but I feel it coming.
How fun to read this Fifi! I am so happy that you are living the life that called out to you and that you and your wonderful husband has made it work. Life is so short, too short to ever say ‘what if’ at the end…Bravo beautiful woman, bravo!
Good for you, Fifi!
Thanks! Fascinating city!!!
Your Mom and Dad would be so proud of you!
So cool-
Found it! Still chuckle you saw JJ and I on 5th Avenue!
Fascinating you❣️
Thank you! Hugs for all the changes for you as well…
Thank you! Hugs for all the changes for you as well…
GO FIFI!! WHAT AN INSPIRATION!
So nice to read this. You are living your dream and making it work. I’m sure so many of us have the dream and are too scared to make the move for fear of the unknown. Good for you. Hopefully, I’ll see you sometime in NYC.
My inspiration!
And ditto! Love REBE. Your kids are amazing!
Were you coming up here?
And ditto! Love REBE. Your kids are amazing!
Were you coming up here?
Very Inspiring…..
What a great story; you are such a beautiful inspiration!
Having a blast! Make a girls’ trip up here with Brittany!
What a wonderful article Fifi. And I do think you are brave! I love following your adventures!
Want to visit again SOON!
It was a while coming and a lot of hard work…as you know!
Still chuckle that you saw me walking JJ in midtown!
So many years and so much life since our days together in Jefferson. Congratulations on living your best life and being your true self.
Thank you! Your abode awaits!
Thank you! Your abode awaits!
Awesome article on a lovely lady!! Fifi you need to come to Baton Rooooouge! I’ll bring you to Museums!!
New Orleans has the #4 most visited museum in the Nation and then 10th most popular in the World! World war 2 museum
I failed to say it’s #1 most popular in Louisiana
Think we were at the WW2 museum. I can picture the location and bldg. Whats the other one? New Orleans is in a class by itself. The antiques in the shoppes are amazing!
So glad you are following your dreams and making it work.
Thanks. It certainly can be work making it work! Fun, challenging, and stimulating!
I so need to get over my irrational fear and loathing of New York City. My parents are both native New Yorkers (Brooklyn and the Bronx), but I grew up and still live in Philadelphia. When I go to New York City I feel like I come from Appalachia. Admittedly, for me, NYC has been frenetic Manahattan, land of high rise canyons. Last weekend, I had the chance to visit the Cobble Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn for a mini college reunion. Totally different vibe and Manhattan looked pristine across the harbor.
I need to get out more. My husband who still has a day job seems happy enough with me, but I think I’m boring the dog.
I LOVE this! It’s always so inspiring to read about women following their dreams and making their own rules about how to live, but even more so when it’s someone who’s got more life experience than myself. Thank you, what a wonderful story! Esther xx
Thanks for the inspiration that we can live life on our terms at any age. This is a new idea for me, but one that I will be mulling over.
This is awesome, thanks Brenda and Fifi!
loved this!
I’d love to move back to NYC during my life after 50. For now, I enjoy visiting both my kids who live there.
Thanks! Let me know if you’re ever thisaway!
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