Grace Klafter Finkel

Grace Klafter Finkel passed away in late April. She was predeceased by her husband, Sidney W. Finkel and by her daughter, Judith Todd. She is survived by her son, Charles Finkel (Fran) of Tallahassee, her daughter, Gwen Chanzit (Richard) of Denver and her grandsons Sam Todd (fianc Ann Watford) of Birmingham, Adam Chanzit (Dana) of Long Beach, CA, Mark Touby (Keri) of Miami, FL, and Judson Touby of Huntsville, TX, and her granddaughter Lori Finkel of Tallahassee, FL. Grace was born in Chicago and lived there and in Glencoe, IL, until 1964, when she and her family moved to Hollywood Beach, Florida. In 1981, she moved to Gadsden, AL and later, Birmingham. Grace always felt a warm welcome in Alabama. Her main focus was always her family. She received her BA in English from Northwestern University and considered graduate school, but family life and travel caused her to not enroll after she had been accepted. When her children were older, she went into the real estate business. In South Florida she enjoyed living on the beach. She was instrumental in forming the Hollywood Art Center and was very active in philanthropic ventures including the Hollywood Scholarship Foundation. She also enjoyed spending time with her two grandsons who lived close by. Eventually she ran for the Florida State Legislature, although she didn't win. That experience, and her belief in social causes, would lead her to become a social worker. The family would like to express their deepest and most sincere appreciation to Rosie Williams and her team for their selfless devotion and friendship to Grace during her last years. A private burial service was held in Chicago with family and close friends. Grace will be remembered during Shabbat services at Temple Emanu-El on Friday, June 29th.