Marcia Friedman Obituary (1942 - 2015)

Marcia Friedman was born in Toledo, OH to the late Ruth and Sydney Lopate and passed away on December 1, 2015. A dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and sister, she crossed the country often to be with her family. Her most cherished role was singing to her grandchildren before bedtime. Marcia was always sharing with others and thrived on building meaningful connections. She collected friends throughout her life and was always on the phone or visiting with the people she loved. She was also a public figure. She was active in the Jewish community, including time as Regional President and on the National Board of Directors of a women’s organization that is now part of American ORT (a network of vocational and technical schools that helped students become self-sustaining). Marcia was a vocal proponent of breast cancer awareness, the disease that took her life. She also served as a mentor for women battling the disease and her strength inspired many people. She is survived by her husband, Al; children, Chuck (Jill) Friedman, Suzanne (Dave) Kahle and Julia Friedman; sister, Charlene (Richard) Ratner; grandchildren, Noah, Ben, Rebecca, Quinn and Asa; brother-in-law, Norman Friedman; sisters-in-law, Hinda Riker, Irena (Alan) Weinberg and Diana (Richard) Routman; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Friday, December 4 at CONGREGATION AGUDAS ACHIM, 2767 E. Broad St. with Rabbi Mitchell Levine officiating. Burial will follow at New Agudas Achim Cemetery. Shiva will be observed at the Friedman residence on Friday following the service, Saturday evening and Sunday from 4pm - 7pm. In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to The James Cancer Hospital or ORT America in her memory.