Goldie Baum Schmidt's Obituary
Goldie Baum Schmidt, 89, died Tuesday, October 14, 2014, at her home in Hollywood, Florida. She was a Holocaust survivor who made a new life in America, and was a guiding presence for her immediate and extended family, and for hundreds of immigrants to her adopted community of Louisville, KY.
Born in Sokolov, Poland, Goldie was the oldest of six children of Meta Stechel and Elimelech Baum, a successful businessman. The Baum family survived the war intact, as a result of heroic efforts by both parents, remarkable luck, and the courage of Goldie and her siblings.
Goldie met her husband Solomon Schmidt, also a survivor, near the end of the war. Together with their young son, Benjamin, they immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1950. The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) helped them settle in Louisville, where they built a thriving women’s wear business. In the 1970s and 1980s, Goldie and Solomon aided dozens of Russian Jewish immigrant families in their work with Louisville’s Jewish Family and Vocational Service. In 1983, they received the Citizens of the Year Award from the KY Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.
Goldie combined an unmatched generosity, love, and kindness to all, with a deep and fierce Holocaust survivor’s fighting spirit. She was passionately attached to her family, in the U.S. and in Israel. She cared deeply about her friends, old and new. Goldie was a master old world cook and baker, and her delicacies were a wonder and delight that she loved to share.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Solomon Schmidt; her parents, Meta and Elimelech Baum; and her sister, Malcha Iserel.
She is survived by her son, Benjamin Schmidt; her daughter, Cecilia Schmidt (David Goddy); her son, Martin Schmidt (Rosie Meitin); her siblings, Baruch Baum (Judit), Pnina Edelstein, Ann Zielinski, Yaffa Livnat (Moshe); and three grandchildren, Sonya and Julian Goddy, and Abigail Schmidt.
Expressions of sympathy may go to The Holocaust Survivors Program, www.jfsbroward.org/holocaust_survivors_assistance. Funeral Services will be 11:30 a.m. Monday, October 20, 2014, at Beth David Memorial Gardens, 3201 NW 72 Ave., Hollywood, FL.
Arrangements by Blasberg-Rubin-Zilbert (305) 865-2353
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