Today would have been my mom's 79th birthday. She passed away last year, a week shy of her 78th. It took a year for me to remember her as she was in this photo, in the mid 80's, the person I most intimately knew as "Mom": before chronic illness overwhelmed her way too young, before she was "Lala" to my kids, before she struggled with cancer. For the first few months after losing her, time felt circular, the vicious circle of rumination about the last, most difficult phase of her life in home hospice. But now, a year later, time feels more elastic, folds upon itself into layers of the past, filled with many distant, wonderful memories of my childhood with her yet cognizant of the weight of the recent past. One day, in this mysterious spiral of time, I hope to be reunited with her in another realm. Our good friend, the mathematician Alain Connes, sketched what could be such an experience of loss and memory throughout time in a recent video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh9mVUq0ZQM

Champion chess player and award-winning high school math teacher, exquisite storyteller, beautiful inside and out, wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, my mom, Elvira Moscovici, is missed every day since she passed away a year ago, on January 22 at 12:47 am. Love you mom!  Our lives will never be the same without you.

I remember Ricu in Princeton 1979 learning that Pusa had her passport and air ticket to visit him…
I remember a very friendly and joyful person when she arrived.
I also remember a long happy walk we in Paris the first days of May 86 - just after the Chernobyl catastrophy...

My deepest condolences Ricu. 

Georges

We are very sorry to hear of Elvira's passing. Such a truly beautiful, gracious lady.  We are blessed to have enjoyed her happy and spirited company at many holiday celebrations with her neighbors Ray and Connie.  We send our deepest sympathy to Henri and all of Elvia's family. 

Ann and Pat Robarge

Since I was a child first learning how to speak, we have called my grandma Lala, a name that rose out of us playing together and that captures a sense of joy. Lala was brilliant, charismatic, outspoken, resilient, and especially empathic. She had a unique ability to sense the needs of those around her and care for their experiences. 

As her granddaughter, I am deeply grateful for the unconditional love she gave to me and my brother through the highs and lows of life as we grew into adults. 

As little kids, she would carefully watch over us in the backyard during summers in Ohio, always trying to protect us from the world. But if Papa was too strict with us and gave us a spanking, she would scold him and spank him right back (“Na, na, na, Papa!”). When we refused to eat anything besides fast-food chicken nuggets, she would sneak her own home-cooked chicken schnitzel into McDonald’s containers to trick us into eating healthier. Later on, she would fret when I went jogging around the neighborhood by myself and stay up until I came back safely. Lala was a force of energy, wit, and constant affection.

As I became a teenager, she would gift me parts of her jewelry collection each time I visited. And on my very first day of high school, I wore one of her necklaces. Being able to share major milestones with her, from first days of school to graduations to new jobs to promotions, amplified the moment because she would be so excited alongside us (I would get a chorus of “Bravo, Sophie!” each time). After I started my first job at my dream company, she would always get Impossible Burgers to express her support for my career, and I felt so honored to see how proud she was.

For my brother, she was his confidant when he was little. At Papa’s “Henrifest,” a banquet in honor of his mathematical achievements, my brother went to Lala with his own speech, too shy to speak to the crowd: “Papa is a magician, but with math.” And she was one of his biggest supporters as he began performing guitar and eventually creating his own music. 

Being able to share life’s small and large victories and feel her joy for us provided an incredible sense of comfort and affirmation. I am thankful for how her love has nurtured me throughout the years and always will, and I will always love her and be grateful for the impact she had on me and this world.

She was a luminous personality, witty, with a smiling voice and ready laugh, her sense of humor lasted till her darkest moments.

She was Ricu's strongest and unfailing support.

We deeply admired her courage and brave demeanor through the many years of suffering, her hard battle and victory over each surgery, her fierce fight for life.

She was petite, but Pușa was a force.

Dear Ricu and Claudia, our thoughts are with you, we know that no consoling words can help right now and it is only the unforgiving advance of time that might lessen the pain.

Ioana and Picu Voiculescu

We send our deepest sympathies for the loss of such a beautiful, intelligent, generous and kind wife, mother, teacher, grandmother and wonderful friend. Elvira was part of our family, spending many holiday and birthday meals celebrating together with lively and fascinating conversations over great feasts. We were all fascinated by her stories and sense of humor. Her strength, determination and what she went through on her journey to get to the U.S. was incredible. It is hard to find the right words to express how much she meant to my family and how much she is missed. Rest in peace,  dearest Elvira. Love from Graham and Christie Holmes

I am deeply saddened by Pusa’s death. She touched my life in ways she probably did not know or guess. Her counseling helped me in difficult moments. Unfortunately is too late for thanks. Magda

Country Basket Blooms was purchased for the family of Elvira Moscovici.

I can't capture in words the profound impact that the Moscovici's have had on my life. We may not be blood related, but Henri and Elvira were my "grandparents next door." I have many fond memories of holiday meals and the beautiful stories shared of their travels, which would not be complete without Elvira's keen memory correcting all of the details Henri missed. I remember Elvira always had treats ready when she welcomed us at her home. 

Elvira taught me resilience, strength, and optimism. Even in the hardest times, she was always a beacon of light and hope, full of life and love for anyone who would accept it. I am forever grateful to have known such a wonderful and kind person. Elvira will be missed by so many people who's lives she has enriched over the years but the imprint that she has left behind will not be faded with time. She will be forever in our hearts. 
Rest in peace, Elvira

Love,
Caroline

Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of Elvira Moscovici.

Dear Henri,
We just learned the sad news that Pusa  has passed away! Azadeh and I would like to send our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to you and your family. In these difficult times our hearts and minds are with you and we wish you  strength.  We cherish our  memories of spending beautiful  time together in Scalea,   and then in Columbus. Pusa was truly  unique with her amazing sense of humour, sharp wit and perception. She is a unique soul and her presence will always be felt.

On l'appelait Pusa, un petit nom chaleureux, intime, plus qu'amical
mais Elvira dansait aussi, derrière Pusa, la valse de la vie et de la joie.
A Princeton, en 78, Ricu était venu pour faire des maths et il travaillait dur.
Quand Pusa annonça son arrivée il déclara, avec son fin sourire, que les
maths pouvaient bien attendre! Le rire de Pusa, son élégance, ses intonations,
sa façon d'expliquer dont elle avait le secret, ont séduit tant d'étudiants surpris et
charmés. Vous avez eu la chance de connaitre cette femme qui ne renonçait
jamais, qui sentait et comprenait tout, vous avez tout simplement rencontré ce que
l'on appelle une grande dame.
Danye

In my life I have met a handful of personalities 
who had an incredible intuitive talent to penetrate
in the minds and heart of the persons they would care
for and provide them with soothing, empathy and
understanding. Pusa is to me the dearest of the three 
of this rarest quality and she is and will remain along our
side, strong in our heart, while, after finishing her 
human sojourn,  she may now rival with Moshe and Paul’s mother
in entertaining the angels…
Alain

Beautiful Dreams was purchased for the family of Elvira Moscovici.

Our first memories of Elvira go back to June, 1990. Our son, Dan, had just graduated from college and had recently gotten engaged to Claudia. The four of us drove from Princeton to Columbus to take Claudia home.  Henri was already in Europe, so we didn’t meet him at that time. Elvira was so warm and gracious. She cooked us a delicious Romanian dinner, which we enjoyed very much. She was a wonderful cook and a very resilient and intelligent person. We will miss her a lot.  Her strength has been an inspiration to everyone who knew her.  Robbie and Jeff Troyka

Dear Henri (Ricu) and Claudia

We are deeply saddened by the news of your painful loss. Our thoughts are with you during this sad and difficult time.
Our friendship with Ricu and Pusa has brought us many happy moments over the years. She showed such an amazing strength living her life to its best in spite of her health problems.
We will always remember Pusa, her beauty, intelligence and wonderful sense of humor. 
May her soul rest in peace!

Ligia and Bazil

To the Moscovici Family,

Counting myself quite fortunate to have been one of Mrs. M's students at GCHS...she took a special interest in helping me stay focused on my grades my senior year as I preparing for college with no clue as to what I was doing and I have never forgotten her kindness, as academically I was unexceptionally average in an environment where that meant one was frequently overlooked...so for her to devote the extra time taught me that the character quality of perseverance often matters so much more when if comes to living a successful life.  Please accept my deepest gratitude and sincere condolences.  

Loreen

Dear Claudia, Henri, and Family,

Our thoughts are with you as you grieve over Elvira's death.  She was always gracious to us the few times we met, and we will keep that memory of her.  May time permit your grief to resolve into warm memories of Elvira at her happiest moments with you and yours.

Love,

Liz and Dave

Mrs. M, this is how the students used to call Elvira Moscovici, went to the angels to teach them mathematics and to amuse them with stories only she new how to tell. Her childhood memories, her childhood memories, her life memories all became my memories that feed my thoughts of her and to you, Ricu dear, and our beautiful friendship.
May Elvira's beautiful and kind soul rest in peace and protect you, Ricu and Claudia and all your loved ones.
 Fair well, Elvira!
Doina Perovici

Dear Henri,

my sincere condolences to you. I remember well when I came to Columbus as a young Postdoc and was greeted by the Moscovici's like a family member. Despite many hardships in her life, in particular health wise, Elvira was always open minded and interested. I also admire her personal strength as she never appeared to be sorry for
herself but always forward looking.

Your old (not only math) friend

Matthias

Dear Claudia, Henri (Ricu), and Family,

I am so very sorry about Elvira's passing. Many years have passed since I last enjoyed your company, but I still have fond and vivid memories of our family visiting yours in Ohio (as well as seeing you in Israel when we lived there). 

Those fond and vivid memories are in large part thanks to Aunt Pusha (as we called her). I will always remember her as warm, welcoming, kind, giving, and very intelligent. Her memory is a blessing, and she lives on, in Claudia as well as in her grandchildren.

From the Moscowitz family in California, we send our love to you and our condolences for the passing of a great woman. We love you and we are sending you strength and comfort. 

Her memory will always be a blessing, and she made the world a better place with her presence.

Love,

Avi, Bri, Eilan, Erez, and Efraim Moscowitz.

We have been friends with Elvira (Pusa) and Henry for more than 55 years.
We will always remember Pusa’s storyteller talent, wittiness, optimism and her remarkable personal strength.

Ani and Dan Burghelea

Dear Henri, Claudia and Family,

It is with deep sorrow that I am writing to you still with Elvira's voice echoing in my heart , bringing back wonderful memories of our families' lifelong friendship.  What a dear friend Elvira was.  Always honest with an impeccable sense of integrity.  One could always count on her when needed.  Cheerful and always making the best of so many challenging times with her lighthearted humor overcoming problems.  She was an inspiration to us. 

More and foremost though, she was a very devoted, warm loving wife, a wonderful mother and a very proud and happy grandmother.  She loved you all so very much and left a remarkable legacy to live on.

I know that this is a very difficult time for you .  Yes she is sorely missed.  May the memories of your so many happy years together give you the strength you need at this time of sorrow.

She and you are  in our thoughts with love and prayers.

Rodica Botoman

OBITUARY

Elvira Moscovici

February 1, 1943 – January 22, 2021

Schoedinger Midtown

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