Marilyn Brand's Obituary
Marilyn Brand, 88
Marilyn Florence Soshensky Brand died peacefully in her sleep on July 18, 2017 in St. Petersburg, FL. She was born on March 17, 1929 in New York City, the daughter of Charles (Soshensky) Sash and Shirley Lefkowitz Soshensky.
Marilyn was a dedicated and loving wife. She was married to the late David Brand for over 66 years until his death in 2014. She stuck by his side through good and bad, being his caretaker for ten years as Alzheimer’s disease slowly robbed him of his memory.
Together with David, they raised three children in Elmont, NY: Ilene Robeck, Michele Medwin, and Stephen Brand. She always loved when the family got together which included her three children, her sons-in-law – Murray Cohn and Steve Medwin, and daughter-in-law Pattie Hallberg; her eight grandchildren – Tobin and Corbin, Dan and Rachel, Katie, Jessica, Allison and Elizabeth, and her six great grandchildren.
Marilyn was an educator for her entire adult life. She combined her love of Judaism with her passion for teaching by working as a religious school teacher, and then principal of seven different synagogue schools throughout her lifetime, starting three schools when no school existed. She also used her Master’s Degree working for BOCES NY as a health educator. When she retired to Florida she worked for Broward County Dept of Health teaching HIV/AIDS prevention to senior citizens. She was known as the “Dr. Ruth” of South Florida.
Marilyn was described by her friends and coworkers as: “a sweet lady,” “a wise woman ahead of her time,” “an incredible woman who impacted so many families,” “lived a life of helping others,” “a special woman who brought joy to so many.” She will be sorely missed by her family and all those whose lives she touched during her life.
The funeral will take place on Sunday, July 23, 2017 at 1:00 pm at Beth Israel Memorial Chapel, 11115 Jog Rd. Boynton Beach, FL.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to any of the following: Temple Sholom, 5 E. Dillon Rd. Monticello, NY; ACLU, Planned Parenthood, or Sierra Club.
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