William and Paulina Litvak
Husband and wife William and Paulina Litvak passed away within two days of each other; Mr. Litvak, on April 9, 2024, at the age of 86, and Mrs. Litvak, on April 11, 2024, at age 78. A service was held on April 14 at Feldman Mortuary, officiated by Rabbi Adam Morris. Interment for Mr. Litvak was held at Rose Hill Cemetery, while Mrs. Litvak’s remains were sent to her native Chile. Feldman Mortuary handled the arrangements.
Mr. Litvak, a Denver native and born on January 15, 1938, grew up on the West Side. He attended CU and DU, and received his law degree at DU. Mr. Litvak grew his family attorney practice with an office in Capitol Hill.
Mrs. Litvak, born on June 29, 1945, in Santiago, Chile, was the youngest of three daughters. She moved to the US to live with her sister, Marisol Quintana Douglas. Mrs. Litvak worked as an executive assistant for various oil, gas and mining companies in Denver, and for the Denver Urban Renewal Authority.
“She greatly missed her family in Chile and visited often, but was extremely proud of her American citizenship when she became a naturalized citizen in 1999,” Mrs. Litavk’s family said.
Mr. and Mrs. Litvak were married in 1980 by Rabbi Daniel Goldberger at HEA.
“When she married Bill,” the family said, “she became a stepmother to Bill’s three daughters and always introduced herself as ‘the wicked stepmother.’ She was anything but, and was an important part of their lives.
“Paulina was a gourmet cook and showed her love by making special dishes and meals.”
“Bill loved working with his hands and had several boats, and enjoyed time with friends and family at Pueblo Reservoir, Horsetooth Reservoir and Lake Powell.
Mr. and Mrs. Litvak are survived by children Dianna (Brian Winn) Litvak, Marcy (William Pockman) Litvak and Karen (Jamus) Skelton; grandchildren Allison and Emily Winn, and Ella and Lucy Pockman; sister Maria Cristina Quintana; and nephew Juan Eduardo.
Contributions in Mr. Litvak’s name can be made to JFS; in Mrs. Litvak’s name, to KVOD Public Radio and the Dumb Friends League.
Katherine Merage
Philanthropist and former Denver resident Katherine Merage died on April 20, 2024, at the age of 99, in Laguna Beach, Calif. Burial was on April 22 and a memorial was held on May 1 at Mount Sinai in Hollywood Hills, Calif., officiated by Rabbi Arnold Rachlis of University Synagogue in Irvine, Calif.
Mrs. Merage was born in Tehran, Iran, on June 18, 1924. She and her husband Andre Merage were active members of HEA, and were instrumental in the construction of HEA’s current building. They also dedicated a new Torah scroll that the congregation currently uses, at the Andre and Katherine Merage Campus.
Mr. and Mrs. Merage were involved with Hadassah Hospital Jerusalem, the Katherine and Andre Merage Foundation Israel, Healing Spirit, Iranian Women Jewish Organization and Ayalim Student Villages in Israel.
Mr. Merage passed away in December, 2001.
“Mrs. Merage was a pioneer in many ways as she showed many communities the meaning of graciously and generously giving back,” her family said.
“Her elegant demeanor and kindness will forever be etched in memories of thousands of people in the US and Israel.”
Survivors are children Paul (Lilly) Merage, Liz Merage, Cameron Merage, David (Laura) Merage and Lin Merage; grandchildren Richard (Lisa) Merage, Michelle Merage, Lauren (Tip) Scarry, Greg (Athena) Merage, Jeff (Alissa) Merage, Darian Merage, Jonathan Merage, Sabrina (Shawn) Naim, Courtney Merage and Spencer Merage; and great-grandchildren Matteo, Alex, Leonardo, Vaugn and Charlie Merage, Grant, Isabel and Brielle Merage, Simone and Lillybelle Scarry, Sarah, Austin and Dillon Merage, Abigail, Elana and Gabriel Merage, Ava Merage, and Sienna, Remy and Cora Naim.
Contributions may be made to Hadassah.
Zana Goldenberg
Second-generation Denverite Zana Goldenberg passed away on April 22, at the age of 90. A service was held on April 26 at Mt. Nebo Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Yaakov Meyer. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Born on November 27, 1933, Mrs. Goldenberg attended DU before pursuing a path as a nail technician; she later became a salon owner and also had a US patent for a nail correction device.
In June, 1952, Zana married the late Leonard Goldenberg while he was stationed in Denver in the US Air Force. Mrs. Goldenberg lived in Denver until two years ago, when she moved to Massapequa, NY, to be closer to her family.
“Zana took amazing care of herself, making sure to walk for exercise daily and was able to continue working up until shy of her 88th birthday,” her family said.
“These past two years became a second lifetime for Zana. She was the happiest that she has ever been in her life.”
Survivors are children Perry Goldenberg, Elise (Dr. Phil) Franklin and Dr. Wayne Goldenberg; grandchildren Cory Franklin, Jordan (Allison) Franklin, Liam (Katryna) Franklin and Alexia Goldenberg; and great-grandson Oliver Franklin.
Contributions may be made to Aish of the Rockies.
@ IJN 2024
