Freda Gelbtuch, 94


BROOKLINE, MASS. – 
Freda Gelbtuch, a long-time resident of Providence died June 4. She emigrated from Germany at the end of World War II after losing her entire family during the Holocaust. She arrived in Providence in December 1950, with her husband, Oscar Gelbtuch (d. 2007), her brother-in-law, Israel (d. 1974), her mother-in-law, Pepa (d. 1962), and her then 18-month-old son, Sam. The family originally lived in South Providence and eventually moved to the East Side. She moved to Silver Spring, Maryland, in 2007 to be with her daughter, Bernice Fishman (d. 2007), who died shortly after her move. In 2014, she returned to Brookline to be closer to her family.

She was a member of PTA of the then newly established Providence Hebrew Day School and was a member of Congregation Sharei Zedek, Congregation Beth Sholom, Gemilat Chesed and the Chevra Kadisha. She was also a supporter of the Rhode Island Holocaust Memorial. An avid cook and baker, she became known to her family and friends for her huge repertoire of Eastern European Jewish cooking.

She is survived by her son, Sam and his wife, Madelyn Bronitsky; her grandson, Michael Fishman and his wife Shira Miller-Jacobs; her granddaughter, Rachel Wainberg and her husband, Ari; her grandson Daniel and his wife, Leah Madsen; her granddaughter, Ruth Abolofia and her husband, Jay Abolofia; and her grandson, Gabriel and his wife, Manuela Giraldo-Jimenez. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, Orly, Yael, Meital, Ayla, Noa, Hannah, Charles, and Sabrina. She was affectionally known to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as "Bubby."

Contributions in her memory can be made to the Bornstein Holocaust Education Center in Providence and Congregation. Beth Sholom in Providence.