Marilyn Kopelowitz Engel

1930 - 2020

Marilyn Kopelowitz Engel

Phoenix - Marilyn Kopelowitz Engel, age 89, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 9, 2019, with her loving daughter, Liba, by her side, at Banner University Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ.

She was born on December 5, 1930, in New York City to Max and Betty (Kaufman) Kopelowitz. Marilyn grew up in Gainesville, FL and graduated Gainesville High School. In 1948, Marilyn entered the first class of women to attend the University of Florida-Gainesville, graduating suma cum laude in 1952. On July 7, 1952, she married Rabbi Dr. Gedalyah (Gerald) Engel. Together they had four children.

Marilyn was the wind beneath her husband's wings. As a team, they influenced the community of Greater Lafayette, IN as well as thousands of Jewish studnts at Purdue University-West Lafayette, IN. Marilyn and "Rabbi", as he was affectionately referred to, enjoyed spending time with family and friends and traveling.

Marilyn worked unofficially as administrative assistant for her husband, throughout their tenure in West Lafayette, as well as working officially at Purdue University as administrative assistant for Prof. Chin-Teh Sun, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Marilyn was active in Hadassah serving in the capacity of many positions of leadership, locally and regionally. In addition, she helped found The Greater Lafayette Holocaust Remembrance Conference, which will convene for the 39th year, 2020.

Raising a family, with Jewish values, was Marilyn's priority in life and she was very proud of the accomplishments of her children.

Marilyn was preceeded in death by her husband, of over 50 years, Rabbi Gedalyah Engel (2013), after they moved to Phoenix in 2010.

Marilyn is survived by her four children: Liba Feit (Derek), Mayer Engel, Moshe Engel (Halya) and Yehuda Engel; grandchildren: Anna Engel, Ari Engel, Max Engel and Leah Engel; and great granddaughter, Evline , "V", Dupont-Madinier. She, also, leaves behind her beloved sisters, Cookie Belinsky (San Antonio, TX) and Dovey Schneider (Corte Madera, CA) and many nephews and nieces whom she loved dearly.

Internment took place on December 12, 2020, in Phoenix, AZ, Mt. Sinai Cemetery, with Rabbi Zalman Levertov, officiating.

Marilyn will be remembered as a bright, shining star, admired by many. A woman ahead of her times, her accomplishments included becoming a pilot of single engine aircraft and orchestrating three sabbaticals in Jerusalem, Israel.

The Engel family would like to extend our gratitude to all the staff at The Grove, The Terraces, in Phoenix, AZ for their attentiveness and loving care.

Memorials may be made in Marilyn's name to Hadassah (Website: Hadassah.org; 40 Wall St., NY, NY 10005) or Smile on Seniors (Website: www.sosaz.org; Chabad of Phoenix, 2110 E. Lincoln Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85016).