Gloria Rose Lavitt Goldenberg, 84, of Bloomfield, born June 1, 1928 in Marion, NC, to the late Harry and Beatrice Lavitt, died Saturday (July 21, 2012), predeceased by her husband Dr. Philip T. Goldenberg. She is survived by her three children and seven grandchildren. Jeffrey and Susan Goldenberg, and their children Danny, Josh, Julia, and Ryan of Scarsdale, NY, Dr. Andrew and Sharon Goldenberg, and their children Brandon, Ashley, and Jared of Saddle River, NJ, and Lori Goldenberg and Bill Alderman of Ridgefield. She also leaves her brothers Paul (deceased wife, Pauline) Lavitt of Boca Raton, FL, Leonard (Rita)Lavitt of Great Falls, VA; brother-in-law Dr. Arnold (Bernice) Goldenberg; and sister-in-law Fran (Saul) Reichlin, both from West Hartford. She was predeceased by brother-in-law, Dr. Irwin (Sylvia) Goldenberg, sister-in-law Lillian (Milton) Sodafsky. She attended Women’s College at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and graduated Pace College, NY with a BA. She was the first President of Women’s American ORT when it was organized in the Hartford area in 1952, and also served on the boards of Mt. Sinai Hospital Women’s Auxiliary and the Hartford County Medical Auxiliary. As a founding member of Beth El Temple in 1954 her beautiful soprano voice was heard from the choir loft for over 50 years. Actively involved with her Judaism she became Sisterhood President from 1964-1966 and 1978-1979. Her leadership, service and volunteerism were well honored as she became the first woman’s President of the synagogue from 1982- 1984. She remained involved on many committees where her presence can still be felt. In recognition of her love of the Temple and to music The Gloria Goldenberg Music fund was established in her honor in 2010. Her honors included The Sisterhood Valued Volunteer Award in 1988 for her invaluable and ongoing commitment to the Synagogue and Sisterhood, Certificates of Recognition and Appreciation for her service to Beth El Temple in 1989, 1996-1997. In furthering her Jewish education and love for Judaism she became a Bat Mitzvah in 1975. What captured Gloria’s heart and soul were not only her commitment to her faith but her pride, joy, and deep love for her husband, three children, and seven grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday July 24, 2012 at Beth El Temple 2626 Albany Ave West Hartford at 11 a.m. with burial at Beth El Temple Cemetery in Avon. Family will receive relatives and friends at Beth El Temple following the interment. Memorial period will be observed at her home at 18 Shibah Way, Bloomfield from Tuesday through Thursday with services at 7:30 p.m. Contributions may be made to the Beth El Temple Gloria Goldenberg Music Fund at 2626 Albany Ave, West Hartford, CT. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Gloria Goldenberg, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm.