Shirley F. Gotlieb Frankowitz, died peacefully on March 25 at the age of 95.
Shirley was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and married Martin Gotlieb (z”l) in 1948. Before the birth of their third child, they moved to Dayton, Ohio, in 1956, joined Beth Abraham Synagogue and made Dayton their home.
After Martin's sudden death in 1970, Shirley worked tirelessly to support her family. Initially a full-time legal secretary, Shirley simultaneously taught religious school. Then, after 14 years of membership at Beth Abraham, she became the executive director for a decade before retiring. Shirley remarried to Morris Frankowitz (z”l) in 1984 for three years until his death in 1987.
In recent years, Shirley was renowned and admired for her incredible creative skills as an artist, pianist, baker and writer. While in younger years, Shirley's reputation for her impeccable work ethic earned her the respect of everyone she knew. But her true calling and most important life's purpose was her family. She was beloved, admired and treasured by each one of them and will be missed beyond measure.
She is survived by her four daughters, who were the light of her life: Linda Valderrama, Gail (Bob) Flacks, Janice (Bob) Kohn and Marsha (Larry) Weisel; eight beloved grandchildren, Marti Flacks, Adam (Melanie) Flacks, Alisa (Alex) Gelber Valderrama, Chad (Julie) Valderrama, Rachel (Josh) Drian, Daniel (Emily) Weisel, Ben (Sierra) Weisel and Becca (Zach) Chervitz; and six precious great-grandchildren.
A funeral service was held at the Beth Abraham Cemetery Chapel on March 27.
Donations may be made to Beth Abraham Synagogue or to the Dayton Heart Association.
