A good friend just died - unusual life story

21 August 2021, 05:13 PM

I'm linking her obituary (written by her journalist son), because of her rather unusual life story. She was born in Bergen-Belsen after the war, to two Holocaust survivor parents, which completely shaped her life. Yiddish was her first language.

I would add to her eulogy that she was certainly modest. I had no idea she was so accomplished. When she and her husband moved to State College, despite her many academic props, she turned to being a wife and mother - and very active member of our congregation.

It's in that capacity that I knew her so many years, especially because she was the mother of a son who was a good friend of my own.

Zikhrona leVracha, Trudy! You leave quite a hole. Don't know who will organize our communal seder now - whenever we are able to get together for it again, that is.

Shalom, Trudy ז''ל

In respect for another prominent feature of which I was also in ignorance, I'll add a photograph of the young Trudy. Her husband Herb posted it on Facebook only recently. A zeyr sheyne meydele! [did NOT mean for it to come out so big...technoklutzerei

]

21 August 2021, 10:21 PM

Axtremus

My condolences for the loss of your friend Trudy.

21 August 2021, 10:45 PM

BeeLady

Condolences on the loss of Trudy...I so loved reading her obit. What an amazing woman!

21 August 2021, 11:05 PM

Steve Miller

I’m very sorry.

22 August 2021, 02:14 AM

markj

Condolences.

22 August 2021, 08:41 AM

wtg

What a blessing she was.

So sorry for the loss of your friend.

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We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love… and then we return home. - Australian Aboriginal proverb

Bazootiehead-in-training

22 August 2021, 11:01 AM

AdagioM

I’m so sorry for your loss, Amanda. May her memory be a blessing.

22 August 2021, 12:02 PM

big al

My condolences to you and her family. Her obituary suggests that she'll be missed by many people. Truly a remarkable woman.

Big Al

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Money seems to buy the most happiness when you give it away.

Why does everything have to be so complicated, all in the name of convenience. -ShiroKuro

A lifetime of experience will change a person. If it doesn't, then you're already dead inside. -MarkJ

25 August 2021, 12:16 AM

Amanda

Thank you all for your kind sympathy and good wishes.

I've been "sitting Shiva" with her son and husband - virtually, thus far. It's quite an unusual experience compared to the usual as much as they vary from one another.

Today both my sons and I coordinated a visit at the same time from three US points almost as far removed from one another as possible.

Tomorrow is the last day. Will try to get there physically for their outdoor extension. Funerals and visitations are always interesting human experiences, however sad, but Shiva is really unique to Judaism AFAIK.