Thelma Gross Levenberg

THELMA GROSS LEVENBERG MUNSTER, IN
Thelma Gross Levenberg born September 6, 1910 in Hungary, immigrated to the United States at age 3 with her parents: Bernard and Bertha Gross, died December 4, 2010 in Munster, IN. Thelma was married to Milton Levenberg for 62 years and he preceded her in death in 1998. Thelma was the mother of Richard (Patricia), the late Robert (Claire), Bernard (Susan) and Linda Hill (John). She was the grandmother to 15 devoted grandchildren: Heather, Alan, Kerry, Joshua, Verna, Tom, Amanda, Karen, Stan, Wrenn, Aaron, Julie, Howard, Mandy and Clay and 15 great grandchildren. In addition, to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, she leaves a brother, Herman (Ada) Gross of Gary. Her other siblings: Morey Gross and Alice Novitsky, preceded her in death. Anyone who knew Thelma would remark about her beauty, her wit and her dedication to friends and family. She never forgot anyone's birthday and there was always a card (sealed with an actual lipstick kiss), a check and a warm phone call. And she always showed up: whether to ... baseball games, engagement parties, weddings, baby naming ceremonies, birthday parties, graduations, bris- you name it. She has been known to fed ex matzo ball soup in a Passover crisis, bake enough chocolate chip cookies and mandel bread to serve an entire wedding party and give her newest infant grandchild a tootsie pop as a six month celebratory gift. She recently had her apple strudel recipe published in New York Times author Molly O'Neill newest cookbook, One Big Table. Thelma marked her 100th birthday in September with a great celebration of her extraordinary life. She was surrounded by her family, just how she wanted it to be. For the past twenty years, Thelma had commanded the presence of her entire extended family (38 Levenbergs) for a week long get together in Boca Raton, FL. The tradition will continue this year and the family plans to use their time together as an extended memorial and celebration of her life and contributions to theirs. Contributions in her name can be made to the Levenberg Family Memorial Fund at The Jewish Federation of Northwest Indiana. www.burnskish.com