Family, friends celebrate centennial birthday of Louise Fishman

Louise Fishman, whose family tree is connected to the former Virgin Isle Hotel and the Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Center on St. Thomas, celebrated a milestone last week surrounded by friends and family.

A smiling Fishman, wearing white, greeted well-wishers during an intimate gathering held Aug. 1, on her 100th birthday, at Frenchman’s Reef on St. Thomas. The centenarian is strongly tied to the iconic Virgin Isle Hotel, as her father, husband and brother-in-law all headed the project that aimed to put St. Thomas on the map as “the next great tourist destination,” when it was built in 1950, according to her son Robert Fishman, who resides in Florida.

The fancy hotel overlooking St. Thomas Harbor — now known as Patriot Manor, which serves as affordable housing for veterans and families — welcomed guests the likes of late President John F. Kennedy, American comedians Buddy Hackett and Jan Murray, as well as the British actress Deborah Kerr.