Frieda Mann

Mrs. Frieda Mann passed away peacefully on the morning of May 7th, 2022, at the age of 98 (and a half) in Scottsdale, Arizona surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Frieda was a Holocaust survivor devoted to her Jewish faith, and set a real example of how we should all live our lives - with bravery, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and positivity.

Frieda was born Fagela "Fela" Lieberman on September 10, 1923 in Lodz, Poland to her parents Josef and Golda Lieberman and had an older sister Mary "Mala" Korzac (nee Lieberman). Frieda was married to her loving and devoted husband Irving Mann (born Itzhak Mankowicz) for 57 years prior to his passing in 2004. Frieda was the matriarch of the beautiful family she created with Irving, and is survived by her children Jay Mann (Susan) and Renee Karson (Norm); four grandchildren, Sarah Schaaf (Thornton), Jeff Mann (Caroline), Melissa Karson and Jenny Karson; and two great grandchildren, Thatcher Schaaf and Hadley Schaaf.

After the war, Irving, Frieda and Jay immigrated to the United States at the end of 1953 in search of a better life and settled in Chicago, IL. Despite having limited education and no money when they started, they successfully made a beautiful life together and truly achieved the American dream, opening a grocery store in Chicago.

Frieda was incredibly proud of her children, Jay and Renee, and was insistent that the kids would be well educated, hardworking, and successful. Her hard work and support paid off with Jay becoming a well-known surety attorney and Renee earning her MBA and becoming a successful marketing executive, accomplishments which brought Frieda considerable pride.

In the early 1990's, Irving and Frieda decided to follow their children out west and moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Frieda immediately loved Arizona and was ecstatic to be closer to their kids and grandkids. The couple became very involved with their local temple and were socially and politically active. They were beautiful dancers, an activity they practiced together often throughout their relationship.

Frieda was loved by all and had an uncanny ability to get complete strangers to reveal intimate life details within moments of meeting her. If you had the fortunate opportunity to meet her, you probably loved her, too. She made everyone feel like the most important person in the world. A constant hype woman, continually telling her family we were beautiful and smart, that she was proud of our successes, and making sure we were eating enough. Always a mother and caretaker, she took care of everyone.

Frieda's legacy is her family and her very protected recipe for Tzimmes, as well as the reminders to be kind, stay positive, give everyone you meet a compliment, and don't hold grudges. Despite physical difficulties as she aged, Frieda was mentally clear right until the very end of her life, a blessing for which her family is extremely grateful.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Phoenix Holocaust Association (https://phxha.com)