Sylvia Yanowitz

June 20, 1926 - November 23, 2015

Sylvia Tupler Levy Yanowitz 89, passed away peacefully in her sleep early Monday morning on November 23, 2015. She was surrounded by her Daughter, Janis Levy Nemes, and her longtime Nurse Caregivers: Maxine Anderson, Lorna Campbell, and Dawn Cook, who were all at her side.

Sylvia was very blessed throughout her life to have the love and devotion of her entire family, especially her Children & their Spouses: Janis & Jay Nemes, and Marc & Susan (z"l) Levy. Sylvia was the proud Grandmother of Joel & Alison (Schwartz) Nemes, Jody Nemes, Dr. Stephanie (Levy) & Trey Hodges, Jeff & Allison (Schultz) Levy, & Jason Levy; She was the Great-Grandmother of Jake Nemes, Lexi Nemes, Shelby Hodges & Millie Levy. Sylvia leaves behind her loving Brother & Sister-In-Law: Lenny & Carolyn Tupler. Sylvia will surely be missed by her Cousins: Harold Tupler, Austin Tupler, Milton Tupler, Frieda Rechtman, & Milton Okum; Sister-In-Law: Marilyn Tupler; and Machetunim: David & Eva Nemes, and Shevy Astrin. Sylvia was the Aunt & Great-Aunt to Nieces & Nephews: Shellie Miller Travis, Barry Miller (z"l), Dr. Rich Tupler, Steve Tupler, Judy Diamond, Ann Kinstler, & Debbie Goodman; Great-Nephews & Nieces: Jason Friedman, Stacey Friedman Halpern, Alexa Tupler, Jake Tupler, Rachel Tupler, Benjamin Tupler, Stephen Margolis, Jerry Margolis, David Goodman & Robyn Goodman Aronin. Sylvia was predeceased by her Husband of 39 years, Dr. Meyer Yanowitz (z"l); Daughter-In-Law: Susan Astrin Levy (z"l); and older Sister: Jeanette Tupler Miller (z"l).

Sylvia was the younger Daughter of Harry & Faye Tupler, born in Chicago in 1926. As a young girl, Sylvia attended Religious School at South Side Hebrew Congregation of Chicago, where she celebrated her Confirmation in 1941. When her family moved to Florida, Sylvia became a Member of the Rose Chapter of B'nai Brith Young Women of Miami Beach in 1945, & the Miami Beach Chapter of the American Jewish Congress in 1947. Her mother, Faye Tupler, was a Zionist of Israel, who was always involved in Jewish causes & organizations. Sylvia was very proud of her Jewish roots, & she became a devoted supporter of The Greater Miami Jewish Federation, & The Jewish Museum of South Florida. She was a Lifetime Member of Hadassah, & remained active in her South Miami Chapter from 1968-1983. Sylvia traveled to Israel in 1979 & toured the Mt. Scopus-Rebon Hospital in Jerusalem, with a volunteer guide from Hadassah, and the Ein-Kerem Hospital to see Chagall Windows in the Synagogue Chapel. Sylvia was a former Member of Temple Emanu-El (Miami Beach) 1944-1950, Avath Achim Synagogue (Atlanta) 1954-1960, Beth Torah Congregation (North Miami Beach) 1961-1968, & Beth David Congregation (Coral Gables) 1968-1984.

Sylvia moved to Miami Beach in 1944. She attended the University of Miami & became a Dental Assistant from 1946-1968. Sylvia worked in her husband's Dermatology Office in Downtown Miami from 1968-1983. When the Medical Practice was relocated to Aventura, she continued working until 1990. Sylvia volunteered at Aventura Hospital from 1998-2008. During that time, she led the Volunteer Orientation Training Program & worked in the Same Day Surgery Department. She received numerous accolades for her dedicated service each year from 1999-2008. Sylvia received the award for Outstanding Volunteer of the Quarter in 2007, & Outstanding Volunteer of the Year in 2008. She was a member of the H2U Seniors Group at Aventura Hospital, where she attended special events, outings, & holiday parties with her fellow volunteers.

Sylvia lived in Coral Gables, Atlanta Georgia, North Miami, Pinecrest (South Miami), Hollywood (Emerald Hills) and moved to Aventura in 1992. She became a Cub Scouts Troop Den Mother at Sabal Palm Elementary School in North Miami Beach, where she was recognized for her dedicated service in 1965. Sylvia also volunteered at Mt. Sinai Hospital on Miami Beach, where her service was acknowledged in 1967.

Sylvia always enjoyed entertaining family & friends in her various homes from 1968-2008. Her most favorite event by far, was the Annual Residents Party she hosted with her husband from 1968-1984 for the University of Miami Medical School Department of Dermatology.

Sylvia was very fortunate to travel around the world with her husband from 1968-2002. Sylvia loved to travel on extensive Tours, and she also enjoyed attending Elder Hostels. Sylvia loved the Theater, Ballet, & Opera, all of which she had Season Tickets for performances and attended shows with her husband.

Since 2000, Sylvia's health began to decline, yet she stayed active and continued volunteering at Aventura Hospital. For the past 15 years now, Sylvia was given a nickname and referred to by all of her Doctors, Nurses, Hospital Staff, Personal Caregivers, Friends & Family, as the "BOUNCEBACK KID". She defied all medical speculation & prognosis with each of her endless hospitalizations. Whenever her health was in jeopardy, she would always make a miraculous recovery. Sylvia was always described as the "AMAZING WOMAN" who had 9 Lives.

Sylvia received exceptional medical care & personal assistance from her private-duty nurses. Maxine Anderson has been her caregiver & companion, providing for Sylvia's daily needs with compassionate assistance since 2008. Lorna Campbell & Dawn Cook joined the team in 2012. Sylvia's 24 hour nursing care was coordinated by Kay Borenstein & her wonderful Agency "ReliaCare" in Cooper City.

For many years, Sylvia kept in touch with her Childhood Best Friend, Dorothy Birkshorn, in Skokie, Illinois. She became extremely close with her next door neighbor Nancy Pincus, when she moved to Pinecrest (South Miami) in 1968. Sylvia reunited with Arlene Eaton, a longtime friend who lived in the same Condo Building, and she went to summer camp with in Chicago. Sylvia met Anna Phillips, her dearest and most recent friend, while they both volunteered at Aventura Hospital. Sylvia Tupler Levy Yanowitz will be sadly missed by her Loving Family; Devoted Nurse Caregivers; Lifelong Friends; Former & Recent Neighbors, & many more.

The Funeral Service for Sylvia Tupler Levy Yanowitz will take place Sunday, November 29, 2015 at 2:00 PM, Lakeside Memorial Park & Chapel 10301 N.W. 25th Street, Miami, FL 33172 (305) 592-0690. Burial will take place at gravesite immediately following the service. Funeral arrangements have been provided by Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapels in Aventura 20955 Biscayne Boulevard. For additional information, please call (305) 935-3939.

The family greatly appreciates that Contributions be made "In Memory of Sylvia Tupler Levy Yanowitz" to Hadassah Women's Zionist Organization of America (Greater Miami) at 4200 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida 33137.

On behalf of the entire Family, they wish to extend their sincerest appreciation for your support.