Lora "Skeets" Garfunkel Friedkin

Lora Garfunkel Friedkin, 83, known as "Skeets" by the many who knew and loved her, passed away peacefully at home in her sleep on June 5, 2024. Skeets was born in Sharon, PA and grew up in Farrell, PA. Her family moved to Miami Beach, FL, where she graduated from Miami Beach High and attended the University of Miami.

Skeets married Monte Friedkin in 1961, and they lived in Miami, FL and Youngstown, OH where they raised their three children. She was devoted and active in her temple and Jewish organizations, as well as the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra and the B'nai Brith singing group.

In later years, back in Florida, she was politically involved, active in Planned Parenthood, and became a fierce and effective advocate for women in partnership with the Women Studies Program at FAU. After her son Shawn was paralyzed in a car accident in 1992 and founded Stand Among Friends (SAF), a non-profit that is dedicated to improving the life of people with disabilities, that cause captured her heart and philanthropy. If you met Skeets, you learned about SAF within minutes.

Known for her warmth and friendliness to everyone, her vivacious personality, and her desire to help others, Skeets lived a full and joyful life. She had a passion for singing and was always the very last to leave the dance floor (and the party). She had an infectious laugh and a smile that could light up any room. Skeets' love for adventure took her around the world, where she made lasting memories and friends along the way. She was an avid traveler, artist, sailor, sports fan, and advocate for womens' rights, children, people with disabilities and Jewish causes. In recent years, when she was not out with friends or at the beach, she could be found at FAU sporting events cheering on her Owls.

Skeets is survived by her children Mindi Fasnacht (Ron), Lisa Friedkin (Shawn of blessed memory), and Dawn Friedkin (Ben Salzillo); her grandchildren Samuel Fasnacht, Sydney Friedkin Park (Jeff), Brooke Fasnacht Heator (Ron), Matthew Fasnacht, Bennett Friedkin, and Jacob Salzillo; and her great-grandson, Cooper Heator; her sisters Lynn Schuster (Mike), Wally Kaplan (Irv) and Dava Lipsky-Carson (Michael of blessed memory and Chuck), and Monte Friedkin (former husband); and an enormous group of loving cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and friends.

Skeets was predeceased by her son, Shawn Friedkin, and her parents, Leona and Sam Garfunkel.

The funeral service will take place on Sunday, June 9th at 12:00 pm (noon) at Menorah Gardens & Funeral Chapels at 21100 West Griffin Rd., Southwest Ranches, FL 33332 followed by a shiva at her residence from 4pm - 7pm and on Monday, June 10th, from 12pm - 2pm and 4pm - 7pm.

Donations, in lieu of food and flowers, may be made in Skeets' memory to Stand Among Friends at http://standamongfriends.org/donate.