Marilyn Gastfriend's Obituary
Obituary
Marilyn Gastfriend (1933 – 2022)
Marilyn Gastfriend (née Weisman) passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at her home in Delray Beach, Florida.
The elder daughter of Ed (Isadore) Weisman and Kate (née Skolnick), Marilyn is survived by her husband of 70 years, Eddie. The graveside service is Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at 2:15 pm at Eternal Light Memorial Gardens, 11520 State Road, #7, Boynton Beach FL 33473.
Marilyn was born in Philadelphia’s Strawberry Mansion neighborhood and graduated Simon Gratz High School. She married Edward Gastfriend in 1951 and filled with warmth and welcome their homes in Philadelphia’s Mount Airy, Cherry Hill NJ, Ventnor NJ, and in retirement, Delray Beach FL. She brought a spark of joy and beauty to her husband, after the Shoah (Holocaust) destroyed his family, and his survival of the concentration camps. Their partnership was founded on Jewish tradition, Jewish day school for their three children, and a life-long romance with deep, mutual support.
Though she never received formal training, Marilyn had a remarkably resonant soprano voice which won the admiration of all at family occasions and Seders. Her sense of fun and playful humor endeared her to her many friends and her offspring. Marilyn’s love engendered lasting closeness among her three children and eight grandchildren, and has already begun casting the next link in the chain among seven great grandchildren (so far).
Marilyn’s immediate family includes sister Sandra T. W. Davis and husband Eddie Davis; son David R. Gastfriend and wife Jody O. Gastfriend, grandson Eric E. Gastfriend and wife Caroline Mehl and great granddaughter Gabriella, grandson Daniel Z. Gastfriend and wife Julie Shain and great granddaughter Anna, and granddaughter Rebecca S. Gastfriend; daughter Jean R. Gastfriend (Z’L), grandson Jason L. Bronstein and wife Lauren Brailey Bronstein and great grandson Kenneth, granddaughter Jennifer Bronstein Sargent, husband Felix Sargent and great granddaughter Eloise; and daughter Felicia M. Berkowitz and husband Alan J., granddaughter Emily C. Berkowitz and great granddaughter Charlotte, son Scott J. Berkowitz, and daughter Katie R. Aber and husband Etan R., and great grandsons Leon and Joshua.
During her recent illness, Marilyn was grateful to the devoted caregivers from the Jewish Family Service at Home of Delray Beach FL and her primary care physician, Dr. Noemi Margaryan MD.
Donations may be made to Hadassah, of which Marilyn was a lifelong member, or Keren Kayemet Le Yisrael, The Jewish National Fund.
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