Olga Garay

The following eulogies were expressed during the funeral service.

Stuart's Eulogy:

I am very sad today. However, I am also know that I am a very lucky man! I had the rare good fortune of knowing my mother for over 75 years of my life! Everyone says that their mother was the best. Mom really was the best!

There are many ways to describe my mother.

Devoted wife, beloved mother, endearing mother-in-law, adoring grandmother, and family matriarch. Over time she assumed each and every role in an incredible and dignified fashion.

She was also a master chef and cook, amazing golfer, glamourous, elegant and fashion statement and most of all a wonderful caring woman--- an Ashet Chayil

My mother was the youngest child born to Seymour and Regina Gottesman, also known as Yehoshua and Chaya. She grew up in the town of Munkacs, which was the commercial capital of the region known as Carpathian Ruthenia. Prior to World War I, it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Between the 2 World Wars, it was part of the new democratic Republic of Czechoslovakia. In 1938, it was annexed by Hungary, and presently it lies in the western most part of the Ukraine. Munkacs had a population of 20-30,000 people at the start of World War II, approximately half were Jewish. It was often called it “Little Budapest.” They even had a representative to the Czech parliament from the Jewish Party.

At home they spoke Yiddish and Hungarian.

In an interview my mother gave to Shoah Foundation created by Steven Spielberg, her childhood was a happy one. She was the youngest of eleven children. As she described it, she “grew up in a large, loving family.” Her father owned some property and ran a dry goods store. They lived on Kaminsky Street in the center of Jewish section of Munkacs. They owned horses and even had a stable on their property. As she said during the interview, “we were comfortable.” My father would later tease Mom, that he married “a rich girl.” He came from a much poorer family. Most of her siblings were married and out of the house, when she was growing up. Many of them already had children my

mother’s age-- with whom she often played. Three had already left to America (Irving, Emil and Nathan). However, on Shabbat the entire extended family that remained in Munkacs gathered together to schmooze and share Friday and Saturday meals. Her parents were Orthodox, but her father believed in education even for girls! What a modern man! As a result, Mom attended the Hebrew Gymnasium of Munkacs, which was famous in its day. It was a cross between high schools such as Ramaz, Horace Mann and first 2 years of college. There, she learned algebra, trigonometry, physics, biology as well as Chumash. Most amazingly, she learned modern Hebrew! This was taught by her older brother, Arnold (17 years older), who also taught ancient Greek and Latin at the University of Pilsen. My mother’s Hebrew was perfect. She was especially expert in Dikduk—grammar, which many of you know is a very hard topic. My Israeli teachers at Yeshiva of Central Queens were amazed at her excellent Hebrew.

But this world came to a sudden end in March/April 1944, when the Germans marched into Munkacs and took her, her parents, six brothers and sisters, their families and almost every Jew to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Mom was just 16. Her brother Arnold had escaped to Budapest.

She spent the next several months in Auschwitz, sharing the bottom of a double decker bunk bed, with her sister, Goldie. Years later, in 1997, we visited Auschwitz. During the guided tour my Mom interrupted the well-trained Polish guide and said: “young man, let me tell you how it really was in Auschwitz.” For the next 10 minutes she spoke almost continuously without pause, describing her grueling months in concentration camp. It was the most haunting, chilling 10 minutes I have ever heard and experienced.

After several months, she was abruptly transported with her sister to the Stutthof concentration camp near Danzig (Gdansk). In August 1944 she was sent to Bromberg-Ost, a female labor camp attached to Stutthoff, where she worked in a munitions factory until January 1945. The war was in its last phase, the Germans were desperate and needed to make more guns and other munitions. Finally, in the winter of 1944/45, the Germans began to retreat to Berlin. They forcibly marched thousands of prisoners in the bitter cold and snow towards Berlin. Mom

and Goldie were among them. Without adequate clothing and shoes, many died. One day while marching in the snow, the Germans suddenly disappeared. My mother and several other girls fled to a nearby abandoned house and hid. She was liberated on January 25, 1945 by the Russian Army. The War ended in May 1945, and my mother and Goldie began their search for possible family survivors

Immediately after the War, survivors from the Trans Carpathian region traveled between Budapest, Bratislava and Prague searching for other surviving family members. The American Joint Distribution Committee set up soup kitchens and lodgings for many of the refugees.

Unfortunately, the Russians thought that they were entitled to the same food and lodging that the Joint Distribution Committee had set aside for the Jewish refugees. As a result the Joint Distribution Committee asked young Jewish men, like my father, who had been in the Partisans and who still had their uniforms and guns, to help guard the soup kitchens and YMCA's. In September 1945 my father volunteered and guarded the Y in Bratislava. After a month he moved on to Budapest. One day, he met my mother and Goldie in the street. They recognized him from the Y in Bratislava; though he did not remember them. Goldie asked my Dad to escort them on the train back to Prague. They were afraid they would encounter Russian soldiers, who were harassing and even raping young Jewish girls. Sure enough, on the train ride back to Prague, Russian soldiers approached Goldie and my Mom. He told them: "you cannot touch these girls." They laughed and went away.

Several months later my father traveled to Podmokly, a town in the Sudetanland. As a Partisan, he qualified for an apartment that had been seized by the Germans during the War. The apartment was large, and he began gathering scattered relatives and friends—over 20 in all. One day, when he traveled back and forth to Prague, once again he met Goldie and my mother at the Prague Y. They had been wandering from city to city and had nowhere to go. My father invited them back to his house—to join the other friends and relatives. One day he asked my Mom to marry him. Initially, she refused stating that she was only 17, and her older sister needed to marry first. However, after a period of time she agreed. On January 6, 1946, they were married by the chief rabbi of Prague, Rabbi Farkas,

who came to Podmokly to marry them. They remained married for the next 78 years! We were blessed to celebrate their last wedding anniversary together!

My father came to the US in April 1946 thru a visa sent to him by his 2 aunts, Sadie and Helen. They were fortunate to come to the US before the war. Upon his arrival he informed them that he was married. It took another 9 months for mother to arrive. My father went back to Czechoslovakia and this time returned with my mother. They returned on January 29, 1947.

My mom always tried to put the past behind her and not let it interfere with raising her kids or being a devoted wife. Over the next 77 years in America, she rebuilt her life and helped create a loving family.

During the next few minutes I would like to share with you some personal memories of my Mom.

Taking the car for a spin

My earliest memory of my mother dates back to when I was only 4 years old. She was just 24! She was young, pretty, vibrant, full of energy and always singing. Who could have imagined the horrors that she lived through just a few years previously. We were living in Laurelton, Queens, where I grew up. It was a beautiful Spring day—my father was at work and my mother was mowing the lawn. I was bored, and I walked over to our Chevy parked in the driveway. I got in, released the emergency break and the car started to roll down into the street. I was going for a spin! No sooner than I reached end of the driveway, the door popped open, my mother pulled the emergency break, and we came to a screeching halt. When my mother saw the car rolling down the driveway, she sprinted across the lawn toward the car and saved the day. She never yelled at me. Maybe that was a mistake! She sat me down and just told me that driving a car was not for 4 year olds! Don’t ever do that again!

Tireless homemaker and housewife

My mother was an awesome homemaker and housewife. Every morning she arose at 6 AM to make breakfast for my father, who had to leave by 7:15 AM. She subsequently prepared breakfast for Kenny, and brought us to the school bus by

7:45 AM to go to YCQ in Jamaica, Queens. She always made sure we had a nutritious breakfast consisting of either scrambled eggs or cereal with fruit. She never forgot the vitamins and orange juice. She made sure we were always properly and neatly dressed—no shirts or tziztits hanging out. Every night she prepared dinner for Dad, Kenny and me. We ate at 6 PM. Dad ate later, when he came home. At 6:30 PM she packed us into the car and picked up Dad from the LIRR railroad station. She always waited to eat dinner with my father.

By the way, Andrew was not in the picture until much later. I am 13 years older, and he grew up in Long Island. However, I know she followed a similar routine, only taking my father to the LIRR station in Manhasset.

Visit to the doctor

When I 6 years old, I was always getting hoarse from yelling. Apparently, I did not know how to talk in a normal tone of voice. Mom consulted Dr Nelson, chief of ENT at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. He fixed my hoarseness by referring me to a speech pathologist, who taught me not to yell! What I remember most about those visits, was Mom filling out the questionnaire/demographics page. It asked the name of the school your child attended. I attended YCQ, Yeshiva of Central Queens. Each time all that she wrote was: parochial school. She did not want them to know that I attended a Hebrew day school. It was only 9 years, since she was free from a concentration camp.

Going to the beach

By the time I was 10, we could afford to rent a Cabana at the Capri Beach Club in Atlantic Beach. While going to the beach was fun, what thrilled me at the time, was my mother roaring down the road in a white Chevy Impala convertible, top down. The car had a fire engine red interior. Her long blond hair was waving in the wind, and she was singing to the music on the radio. Kenny and I were in the back seat, having a great time yelling and laughing as the car sped down the road.

Thinking back, she was only 30 years old. When I was in my teens, it was the 1960’s. When I listened to Chubby Checker, the Beach Boys and the Beatles, so did she!

Gourmet cook

When she got married, Mom did not know how to cook! However, Aunt Goldie was a great cook and baker and taught her everything. Mom was a great student and became a master cook, chef and baker. Throughout the years friends and relatives would hint, suggest and beg to be invited for one of Mom’s meals. The holidays were always a high point—she would start days in advance. She was a perfectionist. Each of us had our favorite dish. Mine was cherry kugel—a delicacy most people don’t even recognize. It was made out of filo dough with fresh cherries. She rolled the dough herself and picked the pits out of the cherries. It tasted like a cherry strudel, but much better!

Libraries

Growing up I loved to read. I loved books and no library was adequate to satisfy me. The Laurelton library was much too small. By the time I was 10 I needed a larger library. So almost once weekly Mom drove me to the main library in Jamaica, Queens –a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic. When we moved to Long Island, I was in high school. Herricks Public Library was inadequate. She drove me to the Manhasset and Roslyn libraries. Initially, I got a library card, and subsequently so did she. Secretly, I sensed she also wanted to read and learn more. Her Gymnasium days were abruptly cut short

Greener Golfer

My parents were “greeners,” an endearing Yiddish/English term for immigrants. They learned to play golf, when I was in high school. They were in their 30’s.

They grew to love the game and loved to play together, as well as in separate men’s and women’s tournaments. In fact, almost 40 years ago, Mom won a women’s golf tournament at their golf club, Tam O’Shanter.

Daughters

My mother always wanted a daughter. After Kenny was born, she waited until the right time to try again. My father was becoming financially successful. I was 13 and having my Bar Mitzvah. Finally, we were moving to Long Island. The time was right. Obviously, my folks were great at producing boys, as we welcomed Andrew into the family.

Daughters in-law

My mother’s wish for a daughter was fulfilled, when my brothers and I married. She embraced her daughters-in-law, as if they were her own daughters. While I know she loved all of her daughters-in-law, Carol, Adrienne, Gina and Mimi, I can only speak from personal experience about her relationship with Adrienne. She embraced Adrienne with so much love, care and true friendship. Adrienne’s mom passed away, when Adrienne was 15. So there was an unspoken link between them, having missed the nurturing years that teenage girls get from their mothers. And the love was mutual from Adrienne to Mom.

They also shared a love for fashion!

Grandchildren

Josh, Jordan, Alexa and Dylan--Grandma loved you all. So much! She loved to spoil you with love and with gifts. Her eyes sparkled, whenever she spoke to one her friends about each and every one of you. She loved hearing your voices, when you called. Most of all, she loved seeing all of you, whenever you visited. Alexa-- you are the first female born a Garay. Thank you Gina!

Brothers

Being the oldest, I am fortunate to have 2 great brothers. I thought they broke the mold after me, but I guess my folks did not. They improved on it. This has been a team effort to help keep my parents going. Both Kenny and Andrew have helped in so many ways. Without slighting Kenny or myself, we could not have gone this far without Andrew's day to day, sometimes hour to hour, hands on approach to helping Mom (as well as Dad). From ordering food and grocery supplies to fixing the phones, the heat, the A/C as well as leveling the floors in their apartment to make it safe for them to walk. Finally, he coordinated all of the aides and nurses that helped care for my parents. This became especially more challenging as my mother’s condition worsened over the past few months. This was an enormous task! Imagine how difficult it is to coordinate help, when you receive a last minute phone call that someone won't be there because they are sick. Or, they cannot come for their shift later that day or the following morning because of some other reason.

Thank you Andrew. You have been the best daughter any mother could have had!

DOCTORS AND AIDES

My mother was fortunate to have such excellent and caring doctors, starting with her cardiologists Sid Mehl, Marty Kahn and most recently Arthur Schwartzbard. Mark Sloane, her pulmonologist, cared for her for the past 16 years.

As I mentioned we were fortunate to have some of the best home health aides to care for my folks. We had an excellent team of 6-8 aides that Andrew and Lina coordinated. Lina you are the best! You have been extremely devoted and compassionate. My mother loved you as part of the family. She even taught you many of her famous recipes.

DAD

My father loved my mother for over 78 years. As I mentioned earlier, we celebrated their last anniversary together this past January 6. This past week following his discharge from the hospital for his pneumonia, Dad visited my Mom

every day—sitting by the bedside, talking to her and kissing her hand. Theirs was a true love! Mom always knew how much you loved her. She thought she was the luckiest woman in the world!

Mom

Mom: As I stated earlier you were the best

wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and family matriarch--an Ashet Chayil !

During the past 2 years, every morning and night we spoke. We discussed your medical issues and various medications. But we also spoke about your daily activities. You would often ask me, if I read about the latest medical advance that was featured in a Wall Street Journal or a NY Times article.

We ended every night, usually with Adrienne on the call, talking about the day and telling you we loved you.

And you always responded, I love you too!

We will all miss you!

Love you!

Joshua's Eulogy:

Today, it is an honor for me to speak on behalf of my Grandmother, Olga Garay. As the eldest Grandchild of a Holocaust Survivor, it is quite frankly a miracle for me to be here given the challenges she overcame.

My grandmother lived a storybook life. One of trials, tribulations, triumphs, tears and joy.

She was beyond tough and never succumbed to any excuses. She fought, she clawed and she always persevered. She was a profound example of the greatest generation. She survived Auschwitz, rebuilt her life, raised three children and four grandchildren. My fondest memories are almost too many to count, as we spent an immense amount of time together.

Olga loved to play golf, she was a spectacular cook, she read the Newspaper front to back, studied the real estate section and watched yankee playoff games. She sent pastries to me every Wednesday during my teenage years from her favorite store, Todaro Brothers, and would always plan a special Birthday dinner celebration. She enjoyed the Ballet and loved going to the movies. Up until several years ago, she continued to renew her Real Estate brokerage license on an annual basis. She also had a sense of humor and simply told it like it was. She was never afraid to express her true feelings!

Olga treated her Daughters in-law like they were her own children. She loved her nieces and nephews and always spoke about her family in Israel with the highest regard. She was a staunch supporter of the State of Israel.

In a testament to her character, there are many other people that my grandmother countlessly touched. From Physicians to the Doormen in the building, she would care for everyone. Whether it was a thank you note with a bottle of wine to one of her Doctors or a croissant and coffee for the Doorman, she was selfless and always gave back. She prepared Cherry Koogel for Doctor Field once a year and made sure Steven Rosenthal had his Blintzes every Shavuot. And she cared tremendously for Lena, who has

been a big part of her life the past several years. But most of all she was dedicated to her family, preserving Yiddishkeit and the memory of her family that perished during the Holocaust. She had a

zest for life unlike any other. I’ll always remember our trip to Eastern Europe in 1998 and the way she guided us through the concentration camp as if it had been yesterday. She didn’t miss a detail. Unlike many other survivors, she constantly spoke about the atrocities at length. I remember as a child sleeping in my Grandparents Bedroom while they were watching tapes of the Shoah. We lit candles together at Holocaust Memorial events and I routinely accompanied them to Yad Vashem and many other important gatherings.

Despite her small stature, her strength was uncanny. My Grandparents rebuilt synagogues and immersed themselves in a myriad of Jewish causes. They were a tandem unlike any other. 78 years of marriage and many in the audience were lucky enough to have a front row seat.

Even as her health declined, she continued to care for others. Whether it was preparing food for my Aunt Adrienne or making sure her Grandson Dylan made it back to his NYU dorm safely. Olga had impeccable style and grace, yet always remained down to earth. She would take the Bus up and down 3rd Avenue to save money on the fare and often scoffed at the price of a Pastrami sandwich at the 2nd Avenue Deli.

It is ironic, that her Son Stuart, a Pulmonary specialist would ultimately become the physician that would preserve her life for many years with the treatment of some of her biggest ailments. In many ways, it is a beautiful twist of fate.

Some people never outgrow their era and are stuck in a different generation. Olga was never left behind and always in touch with the changing times. Before I met my Girlfriend, Abbey, my Grandmother would clip out excerpts from the Wedding section in the New York Times. She would tell me how each couple met, the dating app they used and suggested that I try it as well. I do feel blessed that she was able to experience so many wonderful occasions, including the marriage of my Cousin, Jordan, last Summer.

I have been incredibly fortunate to live the first 41 years of my life with my Grandmother by my side. In a video that I captured several years ago talking to one of her dear friends, she wished to live until 100 Years old the nice way without a struggle. 96 years with all of the challenges she faced is truly remarkable. She was a gift to everyone that knew her and the beautiful life she lived was a giant victory over the Nazi regime. The memories are enough to last for generations. We had a very special and unique Grandmother and Grandson relationship. In many ways, she was my second Mother.

We must celebrate Olga’s life and continue to share her stories. It is now up to my Cousins and future generations to continue her legacy.

Andrew's Eulogy:

A TRIBUTE TO MY MOM

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE FOR BEING HERE TODAY TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF …. AND HONOR THE MEMORY OF MY MOM.

TO EXPLAIN HOW MUCH MY MOM MEANS TO ME IS AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK.

DESPITE MY MOTHER’S PETITE STATURE, SHE WAS ONE OF THE STRONGEST (PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY), AS WELL AS THE KINDEST PERSON I KNEW. SHE INSTILLED THE TRAIT OF “STICKTUITVIENESS” IN ME. THERE WAS NOTHING THAT EVER SET HER BACK, ONCE HERE MIND WAS SET TO DO SOMETHING. THIS IS A TRAIT THAT I HAVE HOPEFULLY PASSED ONTO MY OWN CHILDREN, ALEXA AND DYLAN.

SHE WOULD ALWAYS PUT EVERYONE’S NEEDS IN FRONT OF HERS. SHE WANTED TO BE SURE I HAD ENOUGH FOOD BEFORE SHE ATE, WANTED TO BE SURE I WAS WARM BEFORE SHE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HERSELF AND WANTED TO BE SURE THAT I HAD NEW CLOTHING FOR ALL JEWISH HOLIDAYS. I WOULD NOT BE THE PERSON I AM WITHOUT MY MOTHER. THERE IS NO WAY I CAN EVER QUANTIFY THE IMPORTANCE SHE HELD IN MY LIFE.

I COULD DO NO WRONG IN MY MOM’S EYES, OTHER THAN NOT TO CALL HER WHENEVER I ARRIVED SOMOEWHERE, WHETHER AT A FRIENDS HOUSE WHEN I WAS GROWING UP OR TRAVELING AS AN ADULT. THIS WAS A MUST FOR MY BROTHERS AS WELL.

THANK YOU FOR BEING THE BEST MOM ANYONE COULD EVER WISH FOR.

THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS TAKING ME TO SCHOOL, WHEN SUSAN AND I MISSED THE BUS.

THANK YOU FOR PREPARING THE BEST LUNCHES IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, ALLOWING ME TO TRADE FOR MANY SNACKS FOR A SINGLE SANDWICH.

THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS FEEDING MY FRIENDS, WHEN I WAS GROWING UP.

THANK YOU FOR BEING A GREAT GRANDMOTHER TO ALEXA AND DYLAN.

AND THANK YOU FOR EMBRACING GINA, AS IF SHE WAS YOUR OWN DAUGHTER.

I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!

Gina's Eulogy:

Dear Mom, March 26, 2024

Smart, strong, beautiful, perseverant, gracious, generous, dedicated, determined, remarkable and kind - these are a few of the words that describe you. You have made a difference in my life: I feel blessed to have been surrounded by your love for almost 30 years. You have always accepted me for who I am, welcomed me into our family and loved me like a daughter.

It showed up in all the big and little things you did through the years.

You bought me my first set of pearls; I wore them on my wedding day. You helped Andrew pick out the diamond for my engagement ring; you made sure the diamond was a standout beauty! There were countless cashmere sweaters and trips to Henri Bendel. Golf clubs, golf lessons, and the clothing to make sure I looked good on the course. You demonstrated time and time again with your generosity and kindness that you always wanted the very best for me.

When I worked and had a successful career, you were always proud of me. When I made the decision to leave my job to spend more time with Alexa and Dylan you were supportive of me and when I wanted to build a second career for myself you believed in me. I have always felt supported and loved by you.

You put others first, no matter what the situation. You take care of everyone around, especially during meals and holidays. For the first 25+ years of my knowing you, I don’t believe I ever saw you sit for an entire meal. Every time we’d come to NY, you would always ask me, “what can I prepare for you?”, you would make a fuss on our behalf. You would even make sure the yogurt I liked was stocked in the refrigerator. There’s the coveted Cherry Kugel for Andrew and Stuart, a true labor of love. You’d prepare your delicious sweet potato kugel; Alexa and I would eat your sweet potato by the spoonful with great satisfaction. There’d be a pot of liquid gold chicken soup made with the utmost love for Dylan. It brought you joy to watch him savor your chicken soup.

You poured so much love into preparing meals and feeding your loved ones. You selflessly took care of everyone around you.

I will forever be grateful to have journeyed with you, Dad, Andrew and the entire Garay family to Eastern Europe. Sharing this experience with you showed me how brave and how strong you were as a human being. For such a small woman, you were always a powerful and beautiful force to be reckoned with. I have the utmost respect and admiration for you, for the remarkable life you lived and the family you built around you.

So many loving acts of kindness, heartfelt and true - you never forget Anniversaries and Birthdays. You always sent cards. You always sent flowers. I love that you and dad would call and leave messages and keep calling until you successfully sang us the happy birthday song.

You did so much to show your love for Alexa and Dylan. Your generosity went well beyond expectation. Trips to Bloomingdale’s, even if it took all afternoon, the Lego store, American Girl doll, dinners, golf & tennis lessons in Florida, travel to Cabo San Lucas, college money - the list is endless. One of the most important gifts you gave was the gift of time. You were a presence in Alexa’s and Dylan’s lives - the miles never kept you away. As parents, I know I speak on behalf of both Andrew and myself - we have always felt very blessed that our kids have had such amazing grandparents as role models. We cherished all of the Thanksgivings and July 4th weekends you spent with us in California. We have shared many memorable moments and great times together. I will forever be grateful for the gift you gave of time.

Most importantly, you and Dad have always shown us the importance of family. Every act of kindness, every act of love, every selfless act was with FAMILY in mind. As the matriarch of this family, you have had a profound impact on all of us. You showed us how to build a life and family with love and determination.

Thank you Mom. Thank you for all the love you put into the doing. Our hearts will forever be full with love for you.

To Life, Love and Laughter,

Gina

Sherry's Eulogy:

I am here today speaking on behalf of my mom who was Olga’s sister Goldie, myself, as well as her niece Dalia, and several nephews Giora, Paul, Steven, and Jeffrey, their spouses and families.

Family meant everything to Olga. My mother was 8 years older than Olga. Olga and her sister, Goldie, were the only surviving females of the Gottesman family after the Holocaust. There was one surviving brother and there were 3 stepbrothers who emigrated to the US about 20 years prior to the German invasion into Czechoslovakia.

Olga and her sister survived Auschwitz by looking after each other. When my mother was given a few pieces of bread by her friend who was an office worker at the camp, she shared it with her sister. When Olga got in trouble with a Nazi guard, she protected her and begged for her to be forgiven. They worked in an ammunition factory together breathing in the chemicals that turned their lips blue. They stood in line-ups together in the bitter cold. They endured the harsh brutality of Auschwitz, clinging to each other through the final death march when many perished, until they were liberated in January 1945.

With only one sister left and their shared life changing experience, the two sisters had a bond that could never be broken.

After the war, the 2 sisters lived in an apartment that was paid for by my Uncle Joe who had already befriended Olga. When he asked Olga to marry him, she said that she couldn’t marry him because she had an older sister and she wanted her to get married first, as was the tradition. Uncle Joe was smarter than the two sister and said, if Olga doesn’t marry him, they would both have to leave the apartment. My mother of course told her sister to marry Joe.

Olga and Joe got married and went on to have a wonderful life but the two sisters were always very much emotionally intertwined. They spoke several times a day on the phone. They cried every time Olga went on a trip and they were not going to see or speak to each other for a few days. They also feared the possibility of losing each other again.

We would spend many Sundays at Aunt Olga and Uncle Joe. They came to us often for Friday night dinner and holidays. Olga was always proud of what a great cook and baker her sister was. She enjoyed showing off her sister’s talents to all her friends and family. My mother enjoyed hosting many dinners for friends such as Muncie and Irene and Olga’s children with their wives and in-laws. But Olga did say that she made the Passover matzoh kugel better!

Olga loved my mother with all her heart and always wanted the same success for her sister and her sister’s family as she and her family had. She wanted her sister’s family to have a nice house, to have good health insurance and for her children to go to quality camps and schools. She and Joe created the gold standard and she wanted the same for her sister.

When my mother was sick, Olga came to most of her doctor appointments and was committed to her until her death in 1991. The loss of her sister was a hard blow for Olga. It was as if she had lost part of herself.

As Olga’s only niece in the US and with no daughters, I became like a daughter. I felt special when she took me to see the movie Gigi, a girly movie that she could not go to with her sons. She bought me clothes when she went shopping with Elizabeth, Sally and her other friends who had daughters. She took me to the ER for stitches when I fell off a bike the night before sleep away camp. She and Uncle Joe always gave me clothes from Gare Fashion when the new line came out each season. I was the only seventh grader with couture suits and coats that sold at Saks and Bonwit.

When I got to college, Olga was always looking for a shidduch or match for me. She was my Match.com. When she went to the kosher butcher or kosher bakery in Brooklyn, not only did she ask if they had tasty cake or fresh meat but she also asked if they knew of a nice boy for her sister’s daughter. I did go on several dates with her matches and found my ultimate match thru her! She did get me my first Ken doll and my real Ken doll as well! For this, I will be forever grateful and this was perhaps the best present she gave her sister and me.

Although we did not see each other as often as she would have liked, she was always so proud of everything my family accomplished. She loved hearing about our successes and was so proud to share any good news with her family and friends. She would always cry when she thought of the joy her sister had missed in terms of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. I hope she passes on a good word to my Mom and Dad!

On behalf of my mom and myself, I thank you for everything that you have done for us! You have been a great sister to my mom and a great aunt to me!

On behalf of your other niece Dalia, nephews Giora, Paul, Stephen and Jeffrey, their spouses and families, I pass on their thanks for all your concern, calls and help over the years for them, their children and their parents, Arnold and Roshi, and Irving and Esther. You entertained all of us with brunches, barbecues and holiday meals in Searingtown and later Manhattan and went on many shopping trips to Bloomingdales for the Israeli cousins. You always had an open house and an open heart to all of us!

You have been there for the family! We will miss you, and may you rest in peace!