Obituary of Thelma Gewirtzman

Thelma Sylvia (Stark) Gewirtzman, of Sarasota, FL, died peacefully on May 24, with her family at her side. Daughter of Frank and Lillian (Sanders) Stark, Thelma was born in Schenectady on Feb. 25, 1920. She graduated from the Schenectady schools and Russell Sage College. She married her beloved Louis Gewirtzman in 1942 and they remained in Albany for all their married life. Her greatest joy was her family, as son Jim, daughter Lois, and eventually her four grandchildren soon came to appreciate. While family was foremost in her life, she pursued a meaningful career assisting current and future medical professionals in the library at Albany Medical College. Thelma was predeceased by her dear husband Louis Gewirtzman and later by her beloved Ernie Wasserman, as well as by her brother David Stark. She is survived by her son, Jim (Anne Bryant) Gewirtzman and her daughter, Lois (Steven) Lewis, as well as her adored grandchildren, Alan (Trisha) Lewis, Joshua (Kate Wrenshall) Lewis, Andrea Gewirtzman, and Aliyana Gewirtzman. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held at the Temple Israel Cemetary on Western Avenue in Guilderland on Friday, May 29 at 11:30 AM. A gathering immediately following will be at Congregation Ohav Shalom in Albany. The family will observe shiva Saturday evening at Staybridge Suites, 39 Wolf Road, Albany. Donations in Thelma's memory may be made to Congregation Ohav Shalom, 113 New Krumkill Road, Albany, NY 12208, the Jewish Housing Council Foundation, (ATTN: Patricia McMahon), 1951 North Honore Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34235, or the American Friends of Magen David Adom (the Israeli Red Cross), 352 Seventh Avenue, Suite 400, New York, NY 10001.