Simmy Wagner
Rebbitzin Simmy Wagner died on August 14, 2024, at the age of 92. A service was held that evening at Aish of the Rockies, officiated by Rabbi Yaakov Meyer. Interment was at Har Menuchos in Jerusalem.
Rebbitzin Wagner was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on January 12, 1932, the daughter of Rabbi Bencion and Rebbitzin Esther Golda Parczewski. She graduated with a master’s in education from Columbia University.
“She was a beloved teacher for over 30 years and touched the lives of countless young children, whom she taught to read Hebrew, as well as educating them about Jewish holidays and culture,” her family said.
“She dedicated her time to supporting Torah learning, mainly through her monetary collections on behalf of the Hebron Yeshiva in Jerusalem. She assumed the responsibility of supporting this yeshiva because of her parents’ strong connection to Slabodka, Poland, where her scholarly father had been a student.
“The Slabodka rabbis and students established a yeshiva in Hebron (Palestine). After the 1929 massacre, it relocated to Jerusalem and is currently a thriving Torah institution with 3,000 Talmudic students.
“She was known for her kindness, warmth and thoughtfulness,” the family said. “She regularly made erev Shabbos calls to family, friends and those who were lonely or ill. She enjoyed socializing with people and inquired about their lives and families.
“She took notes on what they said and later inquired about them in great detail, surprising everyone about the sharpness of her mind even in her later years.”
Survivors are daughters Frady (Avi) Moskowitz and Chaya (Rabbi Yaakov) Meyer; sister Miriam Fox; 13 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren.
Contributions may be made to Hebron Yeshiva in Jerusalem or Aish of the Rockies.
Judy Lista
Holocaust survivor and longtime Denver resident Judy Lista passed away on August 4, 2024. She was 97. A service was held on August 6 at Golden Hill Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Salomon Gruenwald and Cantor Martin Goldstein. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Mrs. Lista, originally named Gita Schmuelevitz, was born in Danzig, Germany (now Gdansk, Poland). Her family fled immediately before the Nazi occupation and Kristallnacht.
“Judy’s father insisted they leave, despite the skepticism of other family members who thought they were foolish for fleeing to Palestine,” said Mrs. Lista’s daughter Sharon Lista.
“Tragically, many of those who stayed behind perished in the concentration camps.”
When the family arrived in Palestine in 1938, Gita’s name was changed to Yehudit.
Growing up in Tel Aviv, Mrs. Lista became a fashion designer and art instructor at ORT Institute. She also served in the Israeli Haganah Underground Army. Her best friend was the niece of David Ben Gurion.
On September 11, 1959, Judy and Jerry Lista, also a Holocaust survivor, were married in Israel. They then moved to the US, where Mrs. Lista worked as a sales associate for J.C. Penney’s.
Mr. Lista passed away in March, 2017.
“Judy was a strong, independent woman who deeply loved her family, Judaism and Israel,” said daughter Sharon Lista. “Known for her incredible artistic talents and quick wit, Judy was cherished by many friends and family members who adored her.”
Survivors are daughter Sharon (Dave Torres) Lista; and grandchildren Logan, Dylan and Cody. Mrs. Lista was preceded in death by her sister, Ruchama Bar Yehuda and brother Yitzhak Schmuelevitz.
Contributions may be made to IsraAID.
Dr. Peter Levitt
Dr. Peter Levitt died on July 18, 2024, at the age of 78. A service was held on July 23 at Feldman Mortuary, with burial at Emanuel Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Joseph Black. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Born on September 21, 1945, in Newark, NJ, Dr. Levitt attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he achieved his bachelor’s and medical school degrees. He was a member of Pitt’s basketball team.
In 1967, Peter and Enid Levitt were married in Johnstown, Penn. They remained a couple until Dr. Levitt’s passing.
Dr. Levitt was a well-known interventional cardiologist for 41 years in Denver, and was on the board of directors at Swedish Hospital.
“He was a true genius,” said Dr. Levitt’s wife Enid. “He had smarts, and he had a photographic memory.
“The best quality about him was his humility. He was a very nice man, and was just a good person.”
Survivors are Dr. Levitt’s wife Enid; son Brian (Jen) Levitt; and grandchildren Rilen and Sofia.
© IJN 2024
