Lonely LI senior’s quest for connection turns into thriving friendship circle for hundreds of women

A North Merrick woman has gone above and beyond to unite lonely older strangers on Long Island — by creating a “friendship circle” with nearly 850 members.

“Four years ago, I put out online that I was looking for friends that I could call my family,” the group’s founder, Ester Horowitz, 68, told The Post, adding that her motivation came from a shrinking sphere of companionship because of age and COVID.

“The reaction was about 300 responses. It made me realize how many of us were feeling isolated,” she said.

Now the widely popular group of women over 55 — with their spouses also invited to certain events — has genuinely brought a shine to their golden years. On any given day, a member posts on their closed Facebook channel to seek out a buddy to join them for a walk, meal or other activity.

“I probably know at least 50 new people now” through the group, longtime member Toni Smith, 68, of Bellmore told The Post.

The group also holds more extensive planned events such as excursions to theatrical plays, museums and game nights at restaurants. Some members are mulling over the idea of a group cruise, too.

“It feels like the new version of being a neighborhood kid and knocking out the door to see if somebody can come out to play,” said Horowitz, who explained that the circle grows when its members invite their outside pals.

The founder, who initially felt embarrassed to ask for new friends online in 2021, has even gathered the gals for important talks on Medicare and cybersecurity. She also organized an upcoming three-and-a-half-hour defensive-driving course, a hot ticket for the circle.

“Life is better with friends,” member Jenny Jardine, 65, of Wantagh, told The Post.

The connectivity was on display last week during one of their larger get-togethers — an evening of card games including Mahjong and Italian food at Patrizia’s of Hicksville.

Eatery manager Tony Luisi was so thrilled to hear of Horowitz’s work that he even printed out specially made “Friendship Circle” menus for the event, which took up half of the dining room.

“I never thought it would grow into something like this, but I am so happy that it did,” Horowitz said. “So many people need good friends at this age.”

At one table, Sandra Nardo of Seaford, Jan Casale of Floral Park and Rose Ng of Garden City said they all met about a year ago when Horowitz held an event on teaching the game canasta.

“This group broadens our horizons so much,” Casale said. “And I’m so lucky to call these two girls my close friends now.”

Frantique Stone, 65, a first-timer who Horowitz recruited, called the Monday night affair “the cream of the crop for groups on Long Island.”

“A lot of us here, like myself, are widows. … Everybody is really friendly. This is awesome,” the Sea Cliff resident said.

Stella Jacobsen said the Friendship Circle changed her life for the better after she lost her husband just before the pandemic began, which was around the same time many of her friends moved off the island.

“I was isolated for about a year,” Jacobsen, 77, told The Post.

“They have become so wonderfully supportive and changed my life,” she said of the group’s members. “Who knows how much time we all have, so I am so happy this is how I am spending my life right now.”