Vivian Witkoff May 8, 2022
on making the house warm, finding it more important for the atmosphere to shine than the floors. She was the consummate hostess, gathering bright and interesting people, setting a beautiful table, cooking and searching for new recipes from books and newspapers (pre-internet). Her brisket recipe is nearly famous, but she would share the recipe generously.
Along with her beloved husband, she became entrenched in the community, especially at Temple Judea, then also Havurah of S Florida and Temple Israel. She enjoyed reading, learning about and celebrating Judaism, and being with everyone. She volunteered at each temple, including in the soup kitchen, working hard into her late 80’s, stopping only because of the pandemic. Vivian maintained connection to her Jewish community online, learning technology to participate via Zoom.
The list of her attributes is long: Truly devoted wife and mother (grandmother), good listener, excellent memory for the details of your life, thoughtful and generous. She was a collector of friends and enjoyed introducing friends to each other. So many friends! She was good giving advice but (usually) only when asked. All her caregivers learned quickly that all their assistance had to be done around the many phone calls from friends. You felt special when she spoke with you, because you were special to her.
She overcame much adversity. Losing her husband after 55 years was a challenge but she continued to be involved and active and hosted dinners with old friends and added new ones. The briskets, made-from-scratch-desserts and laughter continued to fill the new house in Coral Gables. Physically, she overcame breast cancer, rehabbed from a broken hip from falling down in a liquor store parking lot preparing for a Hanukah party, was actively fighting lung cancer, and was in physical therapy from an accident which knocked her down but did not take her out. She maintained a positive attitude and her wit to the end. She’d say she knew she wasn’t senile because she could still spell it.
She is survived by her 3 children: Maury (Leslie), Jesse (Lonnie), Shari; 5 grandchildren: Adam (Eunmi), Benjamin, David, Briahn, Hannah and 2 great-grandchildren: Aaron and Aria and her big brother, Sam Levine. Many thanks to those on her team: Dr. Ed Neff, Dr. Omar Issa, her aide Shirley Sandoval who made life comfortable and fun for her and everyone at MCI.
The funeral is Wed, May 11 at 12:30 at Riverside Gordon-Mt Nebo 5900 sw 77 Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Temple Judea, Temple Israel or Miami Cancer Institute.