RANDIE W. MALINSKY

MALINSKY--Randie W. A devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, intellectual and philanthropist passed away on October 18, 2014 in her home. She was 64 and had waged a courageous fight against lung cancer. Randie was a true lover of life! She lived inside of each moment spontaneously and with great zest. Her intellectual curiosity had no bounds. Randie continually strived to learn more history, culture, religion and current events. She thoroughly immersed herself into her family life, as well as her professional career. Randie's quest for knowledge began at an early age. She received an MBA from Hofstra University and began a marketing career at American Home Products. Eventually, she joined the family business, Waldbaum's Supermarkets. At Waldbaum's, Randie was the buyer of ethnic and kosher foods that were delivered directly to stores, bypassing the warehouse. She was ahead of her time in utilizing direct store delivery, as well as promoting and introducing a vast array of varied ethnic products to the public. She developed marketing campaigns around the products, including food festivals, competitions and holiday calendars. Randie played a significant role in developing this unique niche market which is now emulated by some of the biggest supermarket chains in the world. In addition to her significant professional contributions, Randie devoted significant time and effort in pursuit of her many passions. She explored museums in the United States and abroad, the contemporary art scene, porcelain painting and jewelry design. She loved the theater, ballet and opera. Randie traveled around the world on great adventures alongside of her husband of 44 years, Aaron Malinsky. They shared a wonderful love story, having met on a blind date and been best friends every day since. Randie and Aaron were a true compliment to one another and shared great joy, as well as sorrow, holding hands through it all. Born to Bernice and Ira Waldbaum, Randie grew up with strong family values and a commitment to Jewish learning. Her greatest philanthropic devotion was to The Jewish Theological Seminary. Randie served as a member of the Board of the Rabbinical School at JTS since 1994 and as the Board's Chairperson since 2009. During her tenure she championed the development of the Pastoral Care program and created a connection with JTS and the Hebrew language program at Middlebury College. Most recently Randie and Aaron gifted a fellowship to the incoming classes of the Rabbinical School and the H.L. Miller Cantorial School and College of Jewish Music of JTS. The Malinsky Fellowship will provide a living stipend to first year rabbinical and cantorial students. Randie also served and supported several non-profit organizations including the Long Island Committee for Soviet Jewry, The Eglevsky Ballet, the Auschwitz Jewish Center, The Rhinelander Center of the Children's Aid Society, and the Jewish Lens. She served on the Art Collection Committee of the Jewish Museum and had provided a grant to Uniting Against Lung Cancer for continued research in the fight to cure lung cancer. Randie's most valuable treasure was her family. She is survived by her mother, Bernice Waldbaum, husband Aaron, children Carolyn, Benjamin, and David, daughter-in-law Rebecca, grandchildren Liam and Molly, siblings Martin Waldbaum, Arthur and Nadine Waldbaum, Nancy Waldbaum, Linda Malinsky, Debbie and David Orshevsky, five nieces, five nephews, many cousins and beloved friends. Her funeral service was held on Monday, October 20, 2014 at Park Avenue Synagogue.