Edith R. Prostkoff, 94, formerly of Brooklyn, passed away Jan. 4, 2012, in Denver. A memorial service was held Jan. 5 at Rodef Shalom. Interment followed on Jan. 6 at Montefiore Cemetery in Queens, NY. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
She was the mother of Dr. Barbara (Steven) Zimmerman and Arthur Prostkoff of Denver and Dr. Melvin Prostkoff of Newmarket, NH.
Born on Oct. 17, 1918, in New York City to the late Maurice B. and Mildred G. Reis, she was raised in Brooklyn and lived there until moving to Denver in 2005.
She married Dr. Abraham Prostkoff in 1944. Dr. Prostkoff passed away in 1977.
Mrs. Prostkoff was educated in the NYC public schools and at Erasmus Hall High School. She earned her bachelors degree at Hunter College and her MA from Teachers College of Columbia University.
She also attended Jewish religious schools and teachers training institutes and took courses at the Jewish Theological Seminary.
Mrs. Prostkoff taught secular studies at the Shulamith School for Girls until the birth of her daughter.
She returned to teaching in the 1960s and taught second grade and science at P.S. 105 in Brooklyn until her retirement in 1987.
Following the death of her husband, Mrs. Prostkoff began traveling internationally and explored the world with close friends.
She also attended Elder Hostels and Senior Colleges and continued her secular and Judaic education.
An avid participant in the cultural life of New York City, she played bridge and mah jongg and liked international folk dancing.
After moving to Denver at age 87, Mrs. Prostkoff immersed herself in her new community. Active at Rodef Shalom and in the Denver Chapter of Hadassah, she was the oldest graduate of the Melton Adult Mini-School program in 2008.
She especially enjoyed living close to her daughters family and participated in their many activities. They fondly called her Savta Raba.
In addition to her children, Mrs. Prostkoff is survived by her grandchildren Robin (Gavi) Hanssen and Marty (Shira) Zimmerman of Denver and Michael (Zimmerman) Grant and Jon Galt of Saratoga Springs, NY; and great-grandchildren Azriel, Yonah, Dov and Meirav Hanssen and Alyssa and Andrew Zimmerman.
Her brother Myron L. Reiss predeceased her in June, 2011.
Contributions may be made to Rodef Shalom or the Denver Chapter of Hadassah.
Copyright © 2012 by the Intermountain Jewish News
