On November 18, 2020, Naomi Weintraub Zaslow, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, professional and person in her own right, passed away after “A Life Well-Loved”, which she herself named her autobiography. It is titled, “Memories of a Life Well-Loved”.
Naomi was born on October 22, 1928 in Montreal, Canada to Dora (Berry) and Lester Weintraub. At two years old the Depression brought Naomi, ( known as “the beauty”) and her to Philadelphia where her parents and family continued to be hard hit by the times. The “vunder-kind”—wonder-child’s talents helped alter her circumstances. After regularly reciting poetry at political rallies at the age of 4, a local talent manager noticed Naomi’s natural facility with words and acting and she quickly became the protegee of “Miss Bernstein” with a budding career a radio performer in NYC on shows like “Let’s Pretend” and the Horn & Hardart Childrens’ Hour and other radio variety shows.
An excellent student, Naomi received a full scholarship to both Temple University and University of Pennsylvania, but chose Temple where she earned a four year degree in Radio, Speech and Theatre. Following graduation Naomi was a writer for the NBC affiliate in Philadelphia, and continued on as a reporter, feature writer, and a Public Relations director, spending 21 years at Marple Newtown School District in that capacity. It’s there where in addition to her day job, she created, wrote and produced a Cable Ace Award nomination for a soap opera for students called “General High School” which received national attention and was the precursor to Beverly Hills 90210.
The list of Naomi’s accomplishments, presidencies, and capabilities goes beyond the space or capacity of a eulogy-reader. Her involvement as a founding president of the Bernard Levinthal Chapter of B’nai Brith, president of Beth El Sisterhood and Shoah interviewer spoke to her dedication to the Jewish people.
It should be noted that Naomi was living a womens’ liberation lifestyle before it became the norm. She was married in 1948 as a sophomore in college, “kept house”, as home life was referred to at the time, worked full time before having her four children, and part-time all the time they were growing up. When her youngest was 11 in 1971, she went to work full time. There was no “back to work” as so many women at the time did not work outside the home.
The love of Naomi’s life and the roots from which her expansive and rewarding family life grew, was her husband of 68 years, Harry Zaslow. Theirs was a great love that set the tone for generations that a union of mind, body and soul is possible and a wonderful life’s goal. Of all her decisions, she believed that one’s life partner is the most important.
Her advice to the young was to “go for the magic”.
When immersed in family life, Naomi’s capacity to include and support others was enormous. Her credentials and accomplishments were just a backdrop to the love and happiness she emanated to everyone in her many worlds.
Together, Harry and Naomi created a home, a life and a legacy that will outlive their own descendants.
Naomi was preceded in death by her husband Harry, brothers Manny, Izzy, sister Ruth and sons Darrell (Darry) and Jeffrey (Jeff). She is survived by her daughter Lisa and husband David, daughters-in-law Sherri Zaslow and Sherry Margulies Zaslow, son Michael Zaslow and wife Amy.
Naomi is also survived by grandchildren Dorie, Janna, Levi, Joshua, Jordan, Alex, Eden, Brett, Talia, Alana, Issac, Jonah and Shaina, and great-grandchildren Moshe, Eli, Yisroel, Esti, Shifra, Lea, Shalom, Emma, Dara, Zechariah, Tehilla, Akiva, Gavriel, Aylee-Chanon, Miri & Dovid.
A Funeral Service will be held on November 19, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel. To view the service remotely, please follow the livestream link below. If the service has not started when you log on, please refresh the webpage at 11:00 a.m.
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