Matilda Lee Fanwick

Lee (Matilda) Nathan Fanwick of Ardsley, NY, formerly of Stamford, CT, passed away peacefully on October 27th, 2025 as the age of 97. She was visited that day by children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was born on December 28, 1927, the last of 7 children and the only one to have been born in a hospital. Her parents Jacob Nathan(OBM) and Eva Heyman Nathan (OBM) named her Tilly, but the doctor put Matilda on the birth certificate. In college she started to go by the more sophisticated name Lee and for her 70th birthday had it legally changed. Mrs. Fanwick grew up in Farrell and Sharon Pennsylvania. Following high school, she attended Slippery Rock University due to the veterans returning from World War II and then moved onto Penn State University where she met her future husband Ernest Fanwick at Hillel.
Lee married Ernie on September 1, 1951 and began married life in Nutley NJ where their children, Lewis and Leslie, were born, before moving to Stamford CT, where their youngest, Eric, was born, and where they would spend more than 60 years together.
Lee worked at the public schools as a paraprofessional and went on to server as president of the Paraprofessional's Union. She was an active and dedicated member of the community. including Agudath Shalom Synagogue (where she served on the Board, Couples Club, and as Sisterhood President), Stamford Hadassah (as Connecticut Region Vice President and Stamford Chapter President and Chai Group President), Meals for Wheels as a driver delivering meals, FISH as driver, librarian at the Jewish Center, The Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County (which recorded an oral history of her that can be found on YouTube Youtube Video Link) and as a volunteer librarian at the Jewish Center. She also proudly volunteered on Election Days at the Polling Booths.
Lee is pre-deceased by her husband of 61 years Ernest Fanwick and her eldest child, Lewis. She is survived by; Leslie Fanwick Liss and her husband Jeff Liss of Ardsley NY, Eric Fanwick and his wife Michelle Tichauer Fanwick of Wilton, CT. She leaves behind her cherished her 7 grandchildren: Jenette Liss Woskow (Ben) of Oakland, Steven Liss (Karina) of Montclair, NJ,. Jason Liss (Ashley) of Miami FL, Max Fanwick of Norwalk, CT, Joan Fanwick Bass (Corey) of Haverford, PA, Emily Fanwick of Cedar Knoll, NJ and Lily Fanwick of Philadelphia, PA, She was also blessed with 6 great-grandchildren, Elise Woskow, Xavier Woskow, Celine Liss, Hailey Liss, Elayne Bass and Rose Bass.
The funeral is today, Wednesday, October 29, 2025 AT 2:30 PM at the Agudath Shalom Cemetery located at 550 West Hill Road, Stamford, CT 06902
Followed by a meal of consolation at the home of Eric and Michelle Fanwick
Shiva Information at the Fanwicks and Liss Homes:
Leslie and Jeff Liss's home
Thursday, Sunday, Monday: 2-4 PM and 7:30-9 with minyan at 8 PM
Friday; 2-4 PM
Saturday: 7:30-9 PM
Eric and Michelle Fanwick's Home:
Wednesday, October 29th, 2025 from 6:30 – 9:00 pm, Shiva Minyan at 7:00 pm
Thursday, October 30th, 2025 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm, 6:30 – 9:00 pm, Shiva Minyan at 7:00 pm
Friday, October 31st, 2025 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Saturday November 1st, 2025 from 6:30 – 9:00 pm Shiva Minyan at 7:00 pm
Sunday, November 2nd, 2025 from 12:00 noon – 8:00 pm Shiva Minyan at 7:00 pm
Monday, November 3rd, 2025 from 6:30 – 9:00 pm, Shiva Minyan at 7:00 pm
Donations can be made to Hadassah: contact: Michelle Fanwick or Leslie Liss for information.