Sonja Zuckerman's Obituary
Sonja Zuckerman was a woman of the world, having lived in Russia, Palestine, Egypt and Israel before moving to the United States over 60 years ago. She traveled from New York City to Chicago to Detroit and eventually arrived in Miami where she met and married Harry Zuckerman, who pre-deceased her in 1983.
The “Golden Couple” led a very social life, and Sonja quickly became part of the South Florida community. Little did she know how much a part of our city she would become. The Zuckermans were charming, attractive and philanthropic. Sonja had made a name for herself in Detroit for launching the Angel Ball for the National Council of Jewish Women, an event that continues even today. She wanted to continue working for a cause in her new home city.
That opportunity arrived when Sonja and Harry were touched by the plight of an acquaintance of theirs whose child was suffering from diabetes. The Zuckermans and a small group of friends hosted an event to raise awareness and funds to benefit Diabetes Research. And there began the Love & Hope Ball, for which Sonja served as Life Chairman for over 40 years.
During those 40 years the Love & Hope Ball raised over $30 million, a tribute to Sonja’s leadership and the hard work of her and her committee. The Love & Hope Ball Committee began with a handful of friends and ended up as a dedicated group of over 60 men and women. The Ball grew each year as a result of Sonja’s ability to engage others in her mission, her fiery spirit, creativity and impeccable eye for detail, talents that served her well in every aspect of her life.
In addition to serving on the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation’s National Board of Directors, she was named a Distinguished Humanitarian of the organization. She also served on the Boards of the University of Miami’s Lowe Art Museum and Children’s Resource Fund and was an Ambassador for Project: New Born. She supported the National Parkinson’s Foundation, the Limb Bank, MetroZoo, Miami City Ballet, Vizcaya and the Alzheimer’s Association. She was a member and very involved in the Salon Group and the Greater Miami Opera.
Sonja was the first honoree of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation; WIZO named her Woman of the Year; March of Dimes honored her as a Leading Lady; and she was named one of the Ten Best Dressed by the American Cancer Society. She received the American Red Cross Spectrum Award for Women, and she was recognized as a Woman of Distinction & Caring by Plaza Health Network Foundation. Her last tribute was a most honored one, as Sonja was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, an award that is not bestowed annually. The then 96-year-old Sonja spoke and got a standing ovation, very well deserved!
Sonja’s public persona was not necessarily how her friends and colleagues knew her. Yes, she was glamorous, but she could still hang out in a pair of jeans and a shirt. She met and entertained celebrities and enjoyed fancy dinners and parties, but she loved to kick back in a robe and play rummikub. She was often the center of attention, but she gave her attention to life-long friends and people in need. She was generous, talented, funny, strong-willed, loyal, smart, committed and forgiving of imperfection except for her own. Sonja sparkled from within, she always saw the glass half full, and if it wasn’t, she would fill it. Always ready to love, laugh and have a “ball”. She loved her daughter Florence, niece Eva, step-son Ira, nephew Donny, her large extended family and her dear friends and neighbors of which there are many. Sonja was blessed in life, and she happily shared her good fortune. She will be dearly missed. A Chapel Service will be held on Tuesday, December 18, 2018, 12pm at Levitt Weinstein Blasberg-Rubin-Zilbert Memorial Chapel, 18840 W. Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach, FL 33180. (305)932-2700
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