Sophia Gumenick

GUMENICK, SOPHIA, Miami, died March 25, area philanthropist and patron of the arts, died yesterday. She was 101. A Miami Beach resident since the 1950s, Mrs. Gumenick and her hus- band, Nathan, made significant contri- butions to local medical, educational, re- ligious and cultural institutions here as well as in Virginia. The Gumenicks pro- vided support for many local institu- tions, including the University of Mi- ami, Mt. Sinai Hospital and Temple Isra- el in Miami. Throughout their early years of mar- riage, Sophia supported Nathan in his work and pursued the role of homemak- er, taking care of her children and hus- band. In her later years, Sophia was an avid admirer of the arts. She particularly loved the Miami Opera, considering it a special institution that combines the best cultural and social qualities that Miami has to offer. The Gumenicks were strong supporters of the Greater Miami Opera Association. In fact, Sophia was a member of the Crown Jewel Society. Be- sides a strong interest in the arts and her community, Sophia also was an ar- dent gardener. She particularly enjoyed raising orchids and roses. Sophia also belonged to the Sisterhood of both Tem- ple Israel in Miami and Temple Beth Ahabah in Richmond. Mrs. Gumenick was born in Baltimore, Md. on November 27, 1902. She was raised and educated there. She married Nathan Gumenick there in 1921, and the couple then moved to Richmond, Va. They remained together for 75 years, until Nathan's death in 1996. Nathan Gumenick was an accomplished entrepreneur who succeeded in both the food distribution business and later in commercial real estate development. Nathan and Sophia loved the Miami area, and Nathan recognized the tre- mendous potential of the region. He built Southgate Towers, Miami Beach's first high-rise apartment complex. This successful project helped create the modern South Florida lifestyle. Concerned with the provision of quality healthcare, the Gumenicks supported a number of medical organizations. In South Florida, Nathan and Sophia were original Founders of Mount Sinai Medi- cal Center in Miami Beach. This connec- tion led to the establishment of the Sophia and Nathan S. Gumenick Ambu- latory Care Center. Dedicated in 1983, the Ambulatory Care Center brought outpatient care to Miami Beach for the first time. Their continued support of the center allowed an expansion in 1990. Other gifts went to the Burn Cen- ter at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, the Alzheimer's Respite Center of the Douglas Gardens Miami Jewish Home and Hospital, the Alzheimer's wing at the Virginia Meth- odist Home and the Sophia and Nathan Gumenick Suites at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. Educational institutions also received gifts from the Gumenicks. The family supported the University of Miami, the College of William and Mary, and the University of Richmond. The latter awarded Nathan and Sophia honorary doctorates in 1983. The Sophia and Na- than Gumenick Academic Quadrangle on the University of Richmond campus bears their names. They also supported the Sophia and Nathan Gumenick Media Center at the Collegiate Schools, a pri- vate educational institution in Rich- mond. They provided support for Wil- liam and Mary's Chair for Judaic Stud- ies. The University of Miami had special meaning for the Gumenicks. Sophia and Nathan belonged to the school's "Soci- ety of Founders". This family also con- tributed to the Gumenick Lobby at the University of Miami's Richter Library. The family's religious convictions were reflected in support of many causes. The family created the Gumenick Chapel at Temple Israel in Miami as well as the Gumenick Chapel at Temple Beth Ahabah in Richmond. Nathan a nd Sophia were major contributors to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond. Family support also has gone to the Jewish Museum of Florida and the Jewish Community Center of Richmond. Symbolic of the family's commitment to peace and a better understanding of our world, the Gumenicks provided funds for the creation of the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. They hold the distinction of being founding mem- bers of this institution. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Harriet Gumenick Grandis. Mrs. Gumenick is survived by her son, Jerome of Richmond, and five grand- children: Randolph S. Gumenick of Mi- ami Beach, Jeffrey H. Gumenick of Rich- mond, Betty Sue Grandis Le Page of Richmond, Linda Grandis Blatt of New Convent, New Jersey, and Nancy Gran- dis White of Richmond and Naples, Fla. Mrs. Gumenick's funeral will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 28 at Temple Israel of Greater Miami, 137 N.E. 19th St. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Blasberg-Rubin-Zilbert A Levitt-Weinstein Chapel (305) 538-6371. To visit this Guest Book Online, go to www.herald.com/obituaries.