Zecil Gravitz

Beloved wife of the late Sidney Gravitz. Devoted mother of Ellen Blumenthal of Cambridge, MA and Michael Gravitz of Washington, DC and mother-in-law of David Blumenthal and Tracey Marks She was the cherished grandmother of Bobby Gravitz and his wife Janae, Zoe Gravitz and her husband Josh Arkin, Lily Gravitz, Ella Gravitz, Daniel Blumenthal and his wife Kim, and Karen Winokur and her husband Howard Winokur. Great grandchildren include: Lucy and Ruby Gravitz; Jonah, Eli and Ari Blumenthal; and Sylvia and Alex Winokur.

Zecil graduated from Philadelphia High School for Girls and was a 1942 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania in chemistry, one of three woman in her class who were pre-med majors. Instead of attending medical school, she chose to join the Navy WAVES in 1943 and rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant during the war. She was among the first women officers to serve at the Naval Academy, certainly the first Jewish woman.

With her late husband Sidney she traveled often to Europe and Israel where they worked in a free dental clinic for children in Jerusalem—Dental Volunteers for Israel. She was active for many decades in Hadassah, the volunteer organization supporting medical care and hospitals in Israel. She was devoted to her large family and her widespread group of friends. In her later years she thrived in the company of her family, especially her great-grandchildren, and her Orchard Cove friends. The family is deeply grateful for the many years of loving care given to Zecil by Precious Charlemagne and Florence Afari.

Services have been held, and Zecil is interred at Montefiore Cemetery in Jenkintown, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Zecil’s memory may be made to Woodstock Area Jewish Community Congregation Shir Shalom, 1680 W. Woodstock Road, Woodstock VT 05091. Zecil and Sidney were longtime, beloved members of this vibrant community.

A memorial service in Boston will be planned at a later date.