I couldn’t help myself. I couldn’t stay away. I just wanted to visit the apartment building where Joan Rivers lived one more time just to say goodbye. She lived on my block (62nd St.) a few avenues over. One East 62nd St. is perfectly situated. She had Fifth Avenue and Central Park to the West and the ultra lavish Amaranth Restaurant and Madison Avenue to the East.
Leave it to Joan to have one of the most ritzy places to worship in NYC adjacent to her condo, the Fifth Avenue Synagogue.
However, the family is having the funeral service at Temple Emanuel which is just around the corner on Fifth Avenue. Emanuel has the largest congregation of any Temple in the world and is super reform. My daughter had her Bat Mitzvah there.
Joan lived on the top three floors of the building. Check out the top two floors which are set back so she could have a gigantic outdoor garden. The first floor of her condo features a ballroom. Can you imagine? All appraised for $23 million.
People from all walks of life came to the condo to pay their respects. Young, old, white, black, fat, thin, male, female, wrinkles, no wrinkles, everyone had their own personal connection to Joan. Several policemen were stationed outside the building just to make sure no one would bother the family. Groups of 50 to 60 would flow in and out all day and night, It was all very civilized. Everyone wanted closure.
DigiDame 
some people you wish would live forever… RIP
As you said, everyone has their own personal connection to Joan Rivers. I have enjoyed all of the tributes for her in the last couple of days, from radio, TV, news, and social media. I’m so glad you walked to her apartment to take and post these photos. Somehow it made me feel the loss even more, your description of the apartment and neighborhood, and your proximity to it. It seems so personal and presents her as a real person, not just the entertainer that everyone loved. I’ll mourn her in my own private way, but I appreciate your posting this, just to give me a chance to be comforted by how much respect she is being given. Wish I was there. Thanks Lois.
Every time I read your words, I get upset that I don’t see you enough
It is impossible to imagine Joan Rivers’ funeral service at any place other than Temple Emanuel.
I’m very upset about her loss.
Howard Margolis 917-509-7620 http://www.MargolisTeam.com
>
I feel like I lost a good friend
A lovely tribute to a lovely woman. And a beautiful NYC travelogue, too. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you. I feel like I lost my direction
I ALWAYS said that if I could choose a mother to have, it would be Joan Rivers. She was an amazing mother to Melissa and the BEST grandmother to Cooper. I feel completely devastated by this loss, as if I knew her personally. She was the epitome of living life to the fullest. She was so hip and cool, at the age of 81. Such an extraordinary woman who will be greatly missed!!! I expected her to live well into her hundreds!!! Thanks for sharing this tribute Lois. Terrible loss for so many!
Lauren, you couldn’t have said it better. I’m so glad you shared your thoughts. It’s comforting to know I’m not alone in my feelings and sadness. Joan was a mentor and inspiration for millions.