Rosalyn Z Smith's Obituary
Rosalyn Zappel Smith, 94 years old, passed away peacefully on Monday June 19th, 2023 at 7:02 pm in Vitas Hospice and Rehabilitation Center in Rockledge, Florida.
Rosalyn was born on February 11, 1929 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to parents Isaac Schaeffer and Goldie Marron (Schaeffer).
Beloved by her children Nan Smith, Joy Jacks, and Yoel Smith, Rosalyn Zappel Schaeffer Smith was a spiritual woman whose physical beauty emitted from her beautiful soul. She loved dancing, butterflies, and people. When describing herself to someone who she had just met she would tell them “I am a people person”. Yes, people were the center of her world. Beginning with her family; parents and sisters, then husband and children Rosalyn personified what it was to be a caring human being.
She trained as a bookkeeper in high school and began working for the Yellow Cab Rental when she graduated. She returned to the work force after the children were in their teens. She worked in jewelry sales and design. She loved helping her customers purchase fine jewelry for special occasions.
Rosalyn’s second love was serving her community through volunteer work. As a young mother in Philly; the “City of Brotherly Love”, she volunteered as the Americanism Chairman for the Drizen Weiss Post. She served as both a Girl Scout leader and Den Mother. After moving to Florida, she went on the volunteer helping students in an At-Risk High School in Delray Beach. She took courses to serve as a Police Security Patrol Volunteer and rode in the Patrol Vehicle assisting with community safe. In Gainesville, she joined the Red Hat Society where she knitted hats and gloves for the homeless. She also volunteered at the B’nai Israel Temple Day School and Gift Shop.
Rosalyn’s service-oriented work inspired her children. Through her support Nan became a Professor of Art, Joy an international chef, and Yale an outstanding medical doctor.
Rosalyn Z. Smith was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Frank Smith, parents Ike and Goldie Schaeffer, and sister Naomi Schaeffer. She is survived by Professor Nan Smith (daughter) and Paul Grant (son-in-law), Joy Jacks (daughter), Dr. Yoel Smith (son), Bryna Soroka (sister) and Helen Goldman (sister-in-law).
A graveside service will be held on Thursday June 22nd at 2:15 pm, at the Eternal Light Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 11520 State Road 7, Boynton Beach, Florida 33473 (ph – 561-732-3000/Beth Israel Chapel). The family will sit Shiva at 907 Preakness Place, Rockledge, Florida 32955 for the traditional 7 days, beginning Thursday June 22 through Wednesday June 28.
Donations can be sent to:
Lev LaLev – a non-profit organization that is dedicated to supporting orphaned and disadvantaged girls in Israel. (lellalev.com)
Hadassah: The Women’s Zionist Organization of American. (hadassah.org)
The Jewish National Fund. (jnf.irg, 800-jnf-0099)
Special thanks to Sea Pines Rehabilitation Center’s Dr. Juan LeBron and his staff for the excellent care and kindness offered to Rosalyn these past months. The family would also like to thank Dr. Lauren Lostis and Dr. Benjamin Bennet and their nursing team: Miranda, Diane, and Mary Carol at Vitas Hospice for their compassionate care during her end-of-life process. Also, Dr. Tamid Turbay, Dr. Jay Olsen, Dr. Ken Lee, Dr. Casey Copper, Dr. Ben Johnson, and Dr. Joel Rich who served as her medical team led by son Dr. Yoel Smith. The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to Rabbi Renae Toben, Rabbi Zvi Konikov, and Rabbi David Kaiman for their final blessings and prayers.
Please feel free to share your memories and condolences.
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