Rhoda Lucile Sigman's Obituary
Rhoda Lucile Sigman (Grundfest) - died March 14, 2021 from complications due to Covid-19. Rhoda was a beautiful person with a huge heart and a deeply spiritual soul. She was a fiercely devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt who put family above all else. Affectionately known by extended “family” as Momsig, she “adopted” all of her children’s friends, and invited any in need to join for a Shabbos dinner or Pesach Seder. She was an early member of Sky Lake Synagogue and, along with her husband, helped build the congregation and construct its new home. Later, she served as president of the Sisterhood. Most recently, she was treasurer of Congregation Ahavas Yisroel, a minyan dedicated to the needs of Holocaust survivors.
Rhoda was born in Brooklyn, NY. She graduated from Barnard College in 1954, and taught in the New York City Public Schools until she left to raise her children. She returned to teaching junior high and high school history at the Hebrew Academy of Greater Miami for many years, until she left to support her husband in building his own business. Rhoda ran the office and managed the business. She learned how to type words like “spalling” and “efflorescence” and recognize alligatoring concrete and drainage problems in parking lots. Rhoda was a voracious reader, and could not let a day go without completing the New York Times Crossword Puzzle. She loved classical music, opera, foreign films and travel. In retirement, she volunteered her time to the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center, interviewing holocaust survivors and leading discussions with high school students to make sure that we will “never forget.” She continued her teaching by leading current events classes for adults at the Russell JCC, where she was able to draw on her extensive knowledge of history to put today’s news in context.
Rhoda was predeceased by her husband, Theodore and their daughter Jacqueline. She is survived by her daughter Isabel Stevens (Gary), and her sons Alan Sigman (Dena), and Jonathan Sigman (Sima), her grandchildren, Benjamin, Yitzi, Heath, Eitan, Dovid, Tova, Aviva, Emunah, Meira, Tuvia, Katie, and Jessica, and her great-grandchildren Charlie, Elsa and Vivian. She also leaves behind her brother, Jerry, his wife Sandra, her niece Leslie (Richard), and nephew Bob (Colleen) and their children.
Burial will be Monday March 15 at 2:30 at Lakeside Cemetery. To ensure the health and safety of all who knew her, the burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Holocaust Education and Donation Center in Dania, FL ( https://hdec.org/ ). The family will observe virtual Shiva. Arrangements by Levitt-Weinstein Blasberg-Rubin-Zilbert Memorial Chapel (305) 932-2700
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