ITKA FRAJMAN ZYGMUNTOWICZ Obituary

Passed away peacefully at home on October 9, 2020 at the age of 94. Born in Ciechanow, Poland, Itka is a survivor of Auschwitz who shared her powerful testimony with thousands of middle, high school and college students. She is the author of a memoir "Remember, My Child" and two books of poetry (available on Amazon), as well as a featured witness with the USC-Shoah Foundation. She has inspired people from all walks of life with her message of love, courage and forgiveness. Wife of the late Rachmil Zygmuntowicz. Mother of Erland, Jerry, Sam and Michael (dec.), grandmother of Ezra (dec.), Eli, Eliza, Will, Raphael and Isaac and great-grandmother of Ryland and Alta Zygmuntowicz. Private services will be held due to Covid on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 1:00 P.M. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center, 8339 Old York Road, Suite 203/205, Elkins Park, PA 19027, hamec.org. www.goldsteinsfuneral.com

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Published by The Philadelphia Inquirer on Oct. 13, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for ITKA FRAJMAN ZYGMUNTOWICZ

Sponsored by Goldsteins' Rosenberg's Funeral Directors, Inc. - Philadelphia.

12 Entries

Jean René Carrier

August 3, 2023

Nous avons par hasard rencontré itka sur un quais d'Atlantic city tard le soir en 2014 nous avons eu une discussion très emouvante,nous saluons la force et la sérénité de cette femme ,quel rencontre marquante aujourd'hui encore en 2023 son souvenir nous revient en mémoire régulièrement
Jean René et Hélène
Gatineau ,Québec, Canada

Kevin Doran

July 17, 2021

Itka Z. was easily in the top 5 most beautiful, compassionate, caring, intelligent and inspiring people I've ever met. I could write ten thousand positive words here about Itka. But please allow me to state that if Itka ever entered politics and, for example, ran and won the Presidency of the USA, she would have easily been in the list of the top 5 Presidents in history. She would have easily brought millions of people together in our nation and around the world. She had that rare power! Rest in eternal comfortable peace now, Itka. You touched the lives of thousands in ways nobody ever could---nor ever will. Please accept my love & happy inspirational memories forever, Itka, even though we lost touch in the last years of your life... The world misses you already, Itka! -Kevin Doran, age 61 of Galloway, NJ/formerly of "The Enclave" in Atlantic City, NJ, near where I met Itka on her beloved boardwalk! {Today is 7/17/2021; sorry for the late words here.}

Giovanna D.

July 1, 2021

I am RN that met Itka at work. She was a beautiful and inspiring person. I read her book and it gave me a different perspective on life. I wish I had more time to spend with her, and ask her questions about what she endured. All who met her were blessed to do so. My condolences go out to her family.

Cindy Fitzpatrick

December 5, 2020

I met Itka many years ago when I offered her a ride home from a shopping center. She was the most kind, loving and amazing person I have ever met in my entire life. It was a true blessing to know her. Any time I visited her or spoke to her I felt inspired to be a better person. Itka was a true Angel and light in this world. If everyone thought, loved and lived like Itka; this world would be heaven on earth. My condolences to Itka's family. I hope you are comforted by the loving memories of your mother.

Jennifer Modell

October 25, 2020

I met Itka at a Hotel Lobby in Miami in 2012 and she is and was the most BEAUTIFUL SOUL I will EVER have the PRIVILAGE of KNOWING.. she was LOVED by so many....to many to count. Her wisdom, her love of humanity and Judaism will ALWAYS REMAIN MY CANDLE IN THE DARK..she is AN ANGEL and back in the World To Come now. She is and WAS a LIVING ANGEL OF LIGHT. I will be forever GRATEFUL TO HASHEM to have met her.

Rebecca Pomerantz

October 22, 2020

I'm a friend and colleague of Erland's from PMN. I wish I had known your mother and regret that I opened my email AFTER the Memorial. I shared the information about her with Malka, now almost 16. We are sad but inspired. I agree that seeing the kind of person you are sheds a lot of light on her. What were her favorite Yiddish songs? I'll find them and sing them with you...
More hugs!

Sharon Moskowitz

October 14, 2020

Itka or Mrs. Zyg to me was a force to be reckoned with. We were neighbors for many years on Maryland Street. I am the same age as her son Erland and we went to elementary school and junior high together. Whenever she saw me she was friendly, warm, vivacious and always willing to talk. Her strength, resilience, and good nature is truly something quite extraordinary considering what she experienced during the Holocaust. My only regret is that I did not get to see her later on in life. Itka is a true reminder that we owe it to ourselves to be the best version of ourselves. We all need to strive to achieve and to share our journey with others. Sending my condolences to her entire family. May the good memories help you to get through and may your pain is a little bit everyday. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Those of us who knew her were truly blessed.

David Kaufman

October 13, 2020

My condolences to the entire Zygmuntowicz family. Growing up in Strawberry Mansion, our families were always in contact. Itka was a wonderful, strong woman. She will be missed.

Deborah Stone

October 13, 2020

I met Mrs. Z at Fellowship Farm in the summer of 1968 - where she was one among many amazing speakers, including Dorothy Day and Cesar Chavez. I met her sons Gerry and Erland, and we remained in touch for a few years. I often wondered how the family was - and I am glad to read that she had a long life with grandchildren and great grandchildren, and that she died peacefully at home. But no matter how old we are, or how old they are, it is so hard to lose a parent, and I send heartfelt condolences to Erland, Gerry and their families.

Uda. Braithwaite Bartholomew

October 13, 2020

For this moment, just Love-Love-Love, Mama Itka! You were so kind and hospitable to my Dad, just passed last Spring, and my Brother Rich and my friends at Penn Center House to whom she testified and my three friends who carried me/ us to her homes for her dear-dear hospitality and songs shared. And hugs all 'round. And poems spoken into the heart, for healing and courageous reaches towards peace and truth and real-real freedom. Thank you, her boys, her daughters-in-love, her beloved descents-by blood and by Gd's Loving-kindness. I'd been missing you. We will miss you all- ever. Perhaps - in Jerusalem? Perhaps - at an unveiling sooner - we can share her poems and songs and a little dance and hugs - on her behalf and Gd's!!! Uda. Braithwaite Bartholomew

October 13, 2020

To Itka's sons, and all extended family:

I met Itka at a crucial time in my life. I had just lost my job and was pretty down in the dumps. At that time she sat with me and her amazing upbeat personality, enthusiasm for life, love of all people, and ability to make everyone a true friend in less than an hour was unbelievable, and worth about 10,000. in professional counseling I loved your mother with all my heart! We continued our friendship down the shore where I often took her for "oatmeal" breakfasts. I kept in touch with her when she went to Florida, and when she was at home. Eventually she and I ended up at the same place, KleinLife where I work and she was an active participant. She knew I landed on my feet, and I always gave her credit for helping me do so.
My sincere condolences to you and your entire family. Itka will be missed by everyone who's heart she touched, but her memory will be a blessing to all of us, and she will never be forgotten!

Shelley Geltzer
KleinLife Adult Services Program Director
and good friend!

D T

October 13, 2020

Please accept my condolences . I'm so sorry for the loss of your loved one. May the word of God comfort and strengthen you. 2 Thessalonians 2:16,17

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