Rose Broidy Obituary (1913 - 2015)

Rose Broidy (Miller), 102, Born November 11, 1913, Rose grew up on Columbus’s south side. Her parents, Adolph and Rachael Miller, were proud American citizens originally from Latvia. Adolph worked for many years at the local Chesapeake and Ohio yards. Rose‘s ambition to become a veterinarian morphed into a general interest in healing, and finally to pharmacy. Overcoming both financial and social obstacles, she became one of the two first women to graduate from The Ohio State University’s College of Pharmacy. Rose met her husband Samuel during World War II, while she was a pharmacist at Fort Hayes in Columbus. When Rose moved to Oakland, California following her brother Joe, Sam found her when he was discharged from the army at war’s end. They were married and had their first child in Oakland, before moving back to Columbus. They started Steve Broidy Drugs, a fixture for many years in the Clintonville area. Later, she worked for Gray Drugs. When she retired from pharmacy, she volunteered at Bexley schools, The Columbus Public Library, and Mt. Carmel East Hospital. Though she did not follow her first love of veterinary, Rose’s connection with animals remained strong. Cats and dogs seemingly were drawn to her care as if she were a living magnet. More than once, strays would arrive at her door as if they knew she would take them in—and she always did. Her last pet Gilda was her comfort and good friend for all of the cat’s 22 years. Even when Rose could no longer move alone around her home, her great pleasure was having her family keep filled the two-story bird feeder she could watch from her own perch on her couch. Rose was preceded in death by her husband Samuel, her brother Joseph Miller, and her sister Stella Miller. She is survived by her three children, Stefan (Susan) Broidy, Beth (Vince )Lagana, and Michael (Deborah) Broidy, grandchildren Michelle and Daniel Broidy, Angela Lagana, Greg (Erika) Lagana, Michael (Melissa) Lagana, Laura Lagana, Benjamin (Jenny) Broidy, and Shayna (Kevin)Fasken; as well as five great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, November 19 at NEW AGUDAS ACHIM CEMETERY, 2565 Performance Pkwy. with Rabbi Howard Zack officiating. Shiva will be observed at the home of Michael and Deborah Broidy on Sunday from 1pm – 4pm. Donations to the Sam and Rose Broidy Fund at Columbus Jewish Foundation or to Congregation Torat Emet will be gratefully accepted.