Zichrona L'vracha (may her memory be for a blessing)

This obituary for my dear friend Goldie Rassen appears in today's (San Francisco) Chronicle; she was a remarkable woman and I will miss her very much.

Goldie Hiatt Rassen In San Francisco on November 18, 2007 at age 93. Beloved wife of the late Jacob Rassen for 41 years. Loving mother of Dr. Joshua (and Amy) Rassen and Rachel Rassen. Proud grandmother of Jeremy and Elisa Rassen. Goldie was born in Lithuania, the youngest of 12 children. Her first husband and daughter, as well as her parents and three siblings, were victims of the Holocaust. Following World War II, she married another survivor, Jacob Rassen, who had also returned to Lithuania in 1945. From the first moment that Goldie and Jacob saw each other wandering and looking for family and friends, they were drawn together and remained with each other. Their first child was born in a deportation camp in 1946. Shortly afterwards they emigrated to Worcester, MA, joining the three Hiatt brothers who had left Lithuania before the war. Goldie and Jacob were married for 41 years and raised two children in the Boston area. They moved to San Francisco in 1985 to be with their children and grandchildren. Jacob passed away one year later. While raising her children, Goldie taught Hebrew to first and second graders at a local synagogue. Once in San Francisco, she began teaching Hebrew to individual adults. She was an ardent supporter of Israel, and was dedicated to making sure that the memory of the six million stayed alive. She was practical, clever and wise. All interactions offered an opportunity for her to share her wisdom and advice; she was always generous in offering her opinions. Goldie was a devoted member of Congregation Beth Sholom and a supporter of many Jewish causes. In her latter years, Goldie was one of the first residents at Rhoda Goldman Plaza where she lived independently and continued to teach Hebrew for six years. She spent the last three months of her life at the Jewish Home. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday (TODAY), November 20th, 1:00PM at SINAI MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 1501 Divisadero Street at Geary Blvd., SF, followed by interment at Hills of Eternity Cemetery, 1301 El Camino Real, Colma. Contributions to Congregation Beth Sholom preferred, 318 15th Avenue, SF 94118.