Obituary of Edythe Lavine

Edythe Lavine passed away surrounded by her loving family on August 30, 2023.

Born July 20, 1927 in Brooklyn, NY, she was the oldest of three children born to the late Yetta and Herman Schwartz.  Edythe made her own way through a childhood defined by adversity during the Great Depression. However, knowing education was a pathway to success, Edythe worked hard to earn her master's degree in teaching from Brooklyn College, and went on to teach grades 2 through 4 and the visually handicapped in Brooklyn public schools for 30 years. 

In 1950, Edythe married Irving Edelstein, who was a loving husband and doting father. In fact, on the night Irving met Edythe, he told his family that she had stepped right out of his dreams. Edythe and Irving had two daughters, Terri and Lori, who Edythe fondly referred to as “the diamonds of her life” and “the greatest gift Irving ever gave her.” 

 Widowed with two children at 37, Edythe married Bertram Lavine in 1968 following a weekend for singles at the Concord. Edythe’s life changed forever after marrying Bert, who she joyously noted “gave her her life back and was a very good father and grandfather.” Edythe and Bert traveled the world, with and without their children (and grandchildren), until his death in 2012. Edythe was an avid reader and an expert MahJongg and Canasta player. Most importantly, Edythe was fiercely loyal, honest and opinionated, and she will be dearly missed. 

Of her many accomplishments, Edythe was most proud of her family, who remained effortlessly devoted to her. With every grandchild and great-grandchild that was born, it was the greatest joy of her life.

Edythe is survived by her devoted and loving family, including daughters: Terri (Allen) Griggs of Wanaque, NJ and Lori (Stuart) Ratner of Stamford, CT, grandchildren: Ian (Judy Faizakoff) Griggs of Israel, Jonathan (Jennifer Goler) Griggs of West New York, New Jersey, Alison (Mark) Sklar of Israel, Julie Griggs of Manhattan, NY, Evan (Nikki Feig) Ratner of Miami, FL, Steven (Kate Hirschhorn) Ratner of Brooklyn, NY, David (Yana Mitelman) Ratner of Eastchester, NY and Haley (Brett) Waters of Manhattan, NY and great-grandchildren: Reuven, Berel, Naftali and Efraim Sklar, Jocelyn and Juliette Griggs, Ryan, Emmy, Micki and Andy Ratner. 

Edythe wants everyone to know that she died happy and was the luckiest person to have lived such a long and fulfilling life. The family wishes to thank Edythe’s devoted aide Bertha Brice and the entire Atria Stamford staff, especially Joel and Joy, for all their love and support. The family also wishes to thank the doctors and nurses at Stamford Hospital for their care and compassion.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, September 1, 2023, at Temple Beth El, 350 Roxbury Road, Stamford, CT. Interment will follow at Beth El Cemetery.  Shiva will be held Friday immediately following the funeral, Saturday evening from 7-9pm with services at 7:15, and Sunday from 1-4 pm and 7-8:30pm with services at 7:15, at the home of Lori and Stuart.

  Arrangements are under the direction of Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home 104 Myrtle Ave Stamford, CT(203)-359-9999.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ACLU or Southern Poverty Law Center. Words of sympathy and comfort may be sent to the family at https://gallagherfuneralhome.com/