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Gerdi E. Lipschutz

FUNERAL HOME

Toale Brothers Funeral Home & Crematory - Bradenton Chapel

912 53rd Ave W.

Bradenton, Florida

Gerdi Lipschutz Obituary

Lipschutz, Gerdi E.
April 30, 1923 - Nov. 19, 2010

Gerdi E. Lipschutz, 87, of Sarasota, formerly of Rockaway, N.Y., died Nov. 19, 2010.
A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, at Toale Brothers Funeral Homes, Colonial Chapel.
Survivors include her son Peter of Woodhaven, N.Y.; and one grandson.
She was the devoted wife of Sam; loving mother of Jamie and Peter, and his wife Susan; and grandmother of David. We love you, Mom.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Herald Tribune from Nov. 28 to Nov. 29, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Gerdi Lipschutz

16 Entries

Mia Colman

October 10, 2023

When I was 15 years old, I worked in Assembly Woman Lipschutz office. She taught me a lot and was very kind to me. I have nothing but find memories of her! R I.P.

Derith Vogt

December 18, 2019

She was my father Edward Vogt's cousin. She was kind enough to fill me in on some of Weil side of the family's history. Peter, should you see this, pleast contact me.

Peter Lipschutz

December 29, 2012

Mom, you've been gone for over two years and it seems like I will never get over losing you. Life does go on, but mine is ever so empty without you. There is so much to tell and almost no one to tell it to. I wish I had some good news but there doesn't seem to be much. Just know I love you and miss you.

Peter Lipschutz

December 31, 2011

It's a New Year tonight, the second one you've missed. I miss you so much there are no words that begin to describe the sense of loss and longing that overtakes me from time to time.
Much has happened in the past year - not all bad, but nothing that compares with losing you and all that was you. I finally have some new pictures to show you but I know I can't and it really hurts.
I hope you've found a place where you and Nana can cook, play golf with Sam and enjoy Jamie on her horse.

November 19, 2011

Dear Gerdi:

Time rests for no one. Today marks one year since God called you home and you were reunited with Sam and all our loved ones who have passed before us.

How I miss speaking with you for your warth, charm, knowledge and love. You are truly a child of God. In life you blessed many by enriching the lives of those within your community. In death you enrich our lives reminding us what is truly important.

One year has passed but the sorrow and sense of loss remains. Time stops for no one but the passage of time only reminds us of what we lost and how special you truly are.

Rest our Angel and God Bless.

Dr. Paul-Michael Kazas
President, Saint John's Democratic Club
Saint John's University
1976-1980

1976 Candidate

Peter Lipschutz

May 26, 2011

Dr. Paul-Michael Kazas

May 1, 2011

April 30, 2011

Dear Gerdi:

It is said in death there is life. On this your first birthday celebration in Heaven may peace and love continue to bless you and Sam for eternity.

As President of the Maspeth Vyciai/Knights of Lithuania, and on behalf of all those who have focused upon God, Country, Family and Community, we cannot thank you enough for all that you have done for so many people within and without your district.

The difference between a politican and an statesperson is that a politican looks after their own vested interests whereas a statesperson always puts others first for the enrichment of the community. You are, have been and will always be a Stateswoman and as we say in Lithuanian, Aciu, Aciu Labai.

Regardless of one's religion, you have helped and supported those who placed other's interests above their own. Many in politics sought to harm your good deeds, prevent them and to stop your commitment to the people. Evil never takes a day of rest but Good must always fight to stop Evil's destruction to mankind.

You and our beloved Sam are so missed. I know that you can hear and see us and you both smile with pride for our success and weap with sadness for our pain. Rest assured that I and my associations will continue to do our best to carry on your good works.

With all our love, a very Happy Birthday in Heaven.

God Bless Gerdi and Sam Lipschutz.

April 22, 2011

Dear Peter, Susan, and David,
I will always remember your mother and grandmother because when I was a little girl we would visit Sam and Gerdi in their house in New York. I actually have a framed poster of Gerdi from when she was running for the Assembly in 1976. I thought it was so cool that she was running for public office that the poster still hangs in my home. I always loved to talk to her, I wish I had gotten to know Gerdi better over the years. She was a wonderful woman and I know you will miss her. love, jill

Linda Schoenfeld Spangler, M.Mus.

February 22, 2011

When I was six, my mother’s favorite brother, Sam Lipschutz, married a beautiful Jewish woman, who had grown up in Germany. Aunt Gerdi was funny, loving, and best of all, a classical pianist, who let me play her piano! A year later, Sam and Gerdi moved into a fabulous Spanish Colonial house near us in Rockaway, New York. Sam bought Gerdi a baby grand, Gerdi gave me her old upright, and I eventually became a piano teacher.

Family gatherings at Sam and Gerdi’s house were always a treat. Whether Gerdi was preparing a Passover sedar or an exquisite bouillabaisse, the food was delicious, the presentation elegant, and the repartee entertaining. Gerdi, then president of the local Hadassah chapter, sometimes told us about the work she was doing to help Jewish children who, like herself, had been forced to flee from persecution in their homelands. Aunt Gerdi became my role model for graciousness, good taste, and doing meaningful work in the world.

As I grew older and moved away from home, I’d visit Gerdi during my vacations. We’d invariably stay up late into the night talking about philosophy, psychology, literature, music, and our lives. After I’d studied German in college, Gerdi and I were able to talk in her native language. Sometimes, she’d tell me about her pre-Nazis childhood, when she was the only child left in a shrinking Jewish community and her father, with his beautiful lyric tenor voice, was the volunteer cantor. Those stories were easier to hear than the ones about Gerdi’s experiences when the Nazis came into power.

While Gerdi was active in New York State politics in the ‘70s and ‘80s, I was living in far-away Oregon. Once, while Gerdi was serving in the New York State Assembly, I asked her how she had gotten so interested in politics. “To graduate from high school in New York,” she told me, “I needed to pass the American History Regents Exam. Having grown up in Germany, I’d never studied any American History. So, I borrowed a big, fat book from the library on the Constitution. That’s when I fell in love with democracy.”

Towards the end of Gerdi’s life, we talked on the phone almost every day. In spite of her physical pain, she kept her sense of humor, her faith, her delight in connecting with people, and her contentment. The last time I saw her in person was in 2005, when my mother and I visited her in Sarasota. By then, Gerdi was quite disabled. I asked her, as I often did, whether she wanted to start playing the piano again. When she said, “Yes,” mom and I drove to the nearest piano store and bought Gerdi a lovely Baldwin console. Afterwards, the three of us couldn’t stop smiling!

Thank you, Gerdi, for being my trusted mentor and dear friend.

Dr. Paul-Michael Kazas

February 19, 2011

Gerdi E. Lipschutz was one of the most professional, kind, dedicated and caring people I have been honored to have met and known. She and her wonderful huband Sam truly cared about God, Country, Family and Community. I can attest that both were true friends, honest and good hearted people. Gerdi fought and believed in those causes which advanced and protected the every day person. As Assemblywoman she did take those 3 A.M phone calls from the people she served within her community. At 3:10 A.M. she then was on the telephone with the Federal, State and City Agencies to expedite the requisite solutions. She cared.

Gerdi survived the horrors of Nazi Germany and dedicated her life to her community. She joins her wonderful husband in Heaven. I grieve with so many others who truly knew her for we lost such a kind and loving person. However, the Heavens have gained another star.

God Bless Gerdi and Sam; love you always.

Brian Herman

January 20, 2011

Peter, I just found out about Gerdi's passing. I will forever remember your mom. Her love for you was pure and true. She accomplished so much in her life, and I know your accomplishments made her proud. You and I haven't spoken in eons, and I hope that we can reconnect very soon. Barbra, Shannon and I send our love to you and your family.

Peter Lipschutz

December 11, 2010

Teacher
Protector
Guide
Legislator
Inspiration
Friend

You've been these things and more to all who know you; but for me, above anyone and anything else, you'll always be the one who picked me from all the rest. I am so proud to be your chosen son ...

Mom ... I Love You and I miss you so much ...

Peter

Happy Birthday Gerdi April 2008

Peter Lipschutz

December 5, 2010

Kenneth S Kaplan

December 1, 2010

Peter and Family,

I worked with Gerdi as a legislative aide from 1981-1984 and never met anyone with the drive, energy and dedication to public service as her. We spent many hours driving between Rockaway and Albany discussing (and trying to resolve) the world's problems. Notwithstanding the pressing legislative or constituent issues facing her, our conversations always always came back to the pride in and concern for her family. She gave me an experience I will never forget and a rare insight into the legislative process, warts and all. This was a great gift for a young lawyer and I will always be grateful to Gerdi for the lessons she taught. You have much to be proud of. My thoughts go out to you and your entire family.

Ken Kaplan
[email protected]

P.S. On numerous occasions Gerdi urged me to drive faster on the NYS Thruway to get to Albany on time for the Monday session. Each time we were stopped for speeding the Troopers let us go after seeing Gerdi's Assembly ID, except once. When I asked her why I was given a speeding ticket on that occasion, she told me that the Assembly had just voted against a pay raise for the State Troopers. I paid that ticket.

November 29, 2010

We will always remember our times together. Gerdi's life story could have been a Hollywood movie! In the early 1930's as Hitler rise to power was becoming apparent in Germany, Gerdi's parents secured her safe passage to America to begin a new life. She lived with her Aunt & Uncle in the Bronx and became a life-long Yankee fan. Her career path as an Assemblywoman in Albany serving her district was one of her many shining moments. Gerdi loved politics and never missed an opportunity to share her views. We will truly miss you Gerdi and we will never forget you. With all our prayers and love, Virginia and Oliver McParland

November 28, 2010

We only got to know Gerdi these last 2 years here at Heritage Oaks, but we became fast friends because my husband came from Breezy Point in New York where Gerdi was an Assemblywoman for the area back in the '70s. We even knew mutual friends. Such a small world. We had a mutual affection for each other. She loved life and never met a stranger. We feel privileged to have known her even for this short time. She will be missed. Eileen and Jack O'Flaherty

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