StanEulogy

The Synagogue's Obituary

Mildred “Mickey” Sonenshine, also affectionally called DeDe by her grandchildren, passed away peacefully on August 17,2022 at the age of 99.

Prior to moving to Atlanta in 2014 where she joined Congregation Bnai Torah to be with her family she was a lifelong resident of Charleston, S.C. and a member of Brith Shalom Beth Israel Congregation.

She is predeceased by Irving Sonenshine, her beloved husband of 67 years, two older brothers, Solly and George Breibart, and her middle son Gerald.

She is survived by two younger brother, Sidney and Jack Breibart, two sons, Stanley (Debbie) Sonenshine and Kenneth Sonenshine (Sharon) of Atlanta GA, daughter in law (Nancy)Sonenshine of Columbia, SC., six grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

Her life was devoted to family, friends, and community. Her home was always welcoming to everyone. She spent much time volunteering whether at the synagogue, the Red Cross, or Hospice.

She was also an avid Mah Jongg player.

.Donations to the General Fund at Brith Shalom Beth Israel or Backpack Buddies at Congregation Bnai Torah. The family would like to thank the women at Serenity Care LLC for taking such loving care of our Mother for the past 3 years. _____

Stanley's Eulogy to His Mom

As I was reading the eulogy, I gave at Dad’s funeral to give me some ideas about what to say about Mom, a thought occurred to me- What would it be like to live in the shadow of others most of your life? Because to a great extent that is what Mom, and many women of her generation did.

Beside being AZA Sweetheart and writing the 143 Fight Song, Mom played a supporting role most of her life. Some even say that Uncle Solly who was the AZA advisor rigged the vote, but I don’t believe it. According to her dear friend Betty Lancer, Mom was so popular that she was Sweetheart twice

As the only girl and middle child of my grandparents she helped her mother raise her brothers. While they pursued careers, Mom went to Palmer College and learned to type. That is what women did back then, except maybe teach or become a nurse

.After she married Dad and had us, she spent her time supporting him as he built the business, ushered us to ball games, and other activities. She put up with our behavior, particularly my temper tantrums and our torturing of Kenny. It never seemed to bother her.

Like many women of her generation she volunteered at the Red Cross, then at Hospice and even worked part time at the store in an administrative capacity. As her parents aged, she ministered to them and even had her father live with us the last few years of his life. She belonged to the Shul Sisterhood and made Federation calls. Her biggest project every year was baking hamantoshen with the Sisterhood and making sure the Shalach Monot baskets were delivered.

All these things are nice, but they merely scratch the surface of Mom’s wonderful life. What I have come to learn about Mom these past few years as she took care of Dad, then assumed the role of Family Matriarch in Atlanta is that ins spite of her quiet demeaner and small physical stature, she possessed an inner strength steeliness that we didn’t know she had. There was always the argument as to whether the Sonenshines or the Breibarts were the most stubborn- I think it was a tie. Once Mom made up her mind about something that was it. Some examples:

* Mom always balanced her checkbook to the penny. Sometimes it would take a week. *While she did dine out, she never ate any pork or shell fish. Never never never.
* You did not bring anything resembling Chometz into the house for Passover beginning at 8:30 am the day of Seder nor before 8;45 PM on the last day. (Kenny’s Piggy Park story)
* She about killed herself every year preparing for Seder and getting everything ready for Passover.
*Mom also had her way of serving meals. Shen would just put out enough for one serving at a time, so if you wanted more she had to go back into the kitchen and get. Up and down, up and down. It was just the way she did it.
* When the doctors told Dad he couldn’t drink anymore, he would try to sneak a Scotch. You didn’t want to be there when Mom caught him

On the flip side you really didn’t want to go shopping with her because she could never make up her mind about what to buy, often bring home 3 or 4 outfits(on approval she would say) or pairs of shoes then taking all or all but one back.

Mom was prim and proper. Once she was waiting for Dad to come to bed and when he didn’t, she went into the den where he was sleeping on the couch. Unfortunately, the tv was on with some racy movie and she accused him of watching Pono! Of course being asleep he didn’t know what she was talking about.

Mom also made killer stuffed cabbage. I always wondered why Kenny kept going to Charleston. He probably still has some in his freezer. But Mom’s greatest gift to us was what she taught us about family, friends, community, and religion.

Our home was a welcoming place, whether for our friends during AZA conventions, family from out of town, or sometimes just friends. They were always invited to stay over. Breakfast with fresh squeezed orange juice included.

Citadel cadets came for Shabbat dinner. Jewish airmen came for Holiday meals. It was just that kind of home, and lord knows when we lived on Moore Drive, we didn’t really have the room.

Mom was always worrying about others. Who needed a ride to the doctor or Atlanta? Who needed a meal brought. Who was sick and needed a visit? Mom was the first one there. When I was talking to my friend Marty Schwartz on Wednesday about Mom’s life. He said that God kept Mom alive and in good health for so long because she took care of so many people, so he didn’t have to. I believe it.

She enjoyed Mah Jongg, having one or two regular games until just the past few years. Sometimes there was Bridge and Rumi Cube. Although you wouldn’t know it, she really liked to win and got a little depressed when she didn’t think she was competitive anymore

She loved her family especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren who affectionately called her DeDe. Watching the family grow the past few years and being able to celebrate their birthdays, recitals, graduations was pure joy.

The last six years having Mom with us in Atlanta has been a blessing. She has watched her family grow , now with 12 great grandchildren. She shared our simchas, went to shul with us and did many things that we couldn’t have done if she would have stayed in Charleston. Even took her to see Shen Yun -Glad she didn’t convert. It was funny for the High Holidays Mom would sit with us in the front of the shul. Having been in the back corner in the mechitzah all those years I think she really enjoyed moving up.

I want to thank Lucy Awuah , Huaoa Magid, for their loving care of Mom the past few years. They are angels. We are thankful that both our parents had long and, until the very end, healthy lives. They left us their good name and showed us that being rich is not about what you have but about what you do and how you treat others. For that we have been truly blessed.