Frida Brezel

Frida Brezel of undetermined age passed away on October 11, 2021. Born in Lodz Poland to Rebecca and Hersh Precel she had a happy childhood until the German invasion in the early 1940s. Her family was forced to live in the Lodz Ghetto until the Holocaust claimed both her parents and several siblings. Frida's stories of survival contained horror and suffering, but also inspiration and perseverance. She was rescued by the Red Cross and sent to live in Sweden. When the war ended she moved to France where she met her late husband Aron, an Auschwitz survivor. The two of them had a beautiful daughter Claire (late) who tragically died of pancreatic cancer 25 years ago. In 1951 they immigrated to the Bronx, New York where they had their son Michael. Frida always said there was no place like New York and stayed in the city for over 50 years where she and Aron raised their family. She enjoyed her summers in the Catskills and frequent trips to Florida. In 2003 she moved to Connecticut to be near her son and daughter-in-law. It was in Connecticut that she met her special friend Cruz Mandell. She had many good years at White Oaks and was proud to be one of the oldest residents. She recently moved to Fox Hill Nursing Center where Hazel and Margarite gave her loving care until the end. Frida spoke Polish, French, Yiddish and English, but most often spoke with love about her family. Frida leaves behind her son, Michael and daughter-in-law, Barbara, and her "jewelry" as she fondly referred to her grandchildren: Rebecca Brezel, Rachel Wolff and husband, Josh; Scott Sommers and wife, Rhea; Mark Sommers and wife, Holly. Her great grandchildren – Owen and Zachary Sommers, and Sadie Wolff – also brought her great joy. A graveside funeral officiated by Rabbi Jeff Glickman will be held Sunday in Paramus, New Jersey. Shiva will be Sunday and Monday night at the home of her son and daughter-in-law in South Windsor from 7:00-9:00 pm. Donations can be made in Frida's memory to the Social Action Committee of Temple Beth Hillel in South Windsor, CT. May her memory be a blessing.