Linda Lefkovitz's Obituary
Linda K Lefkovitz [nee Eisler], age 80, of Mayfield Heights, Ohio, passed away on June 10th after a long battle with cancer. Loving wife of Abner (deceased). Mother of Lisa Lefkovitz (Dale Schoeneman) and Jeff Lefkovitz (Katie Lyden), loving grandmother to Erik, Graham, Charlie, Peter, Hannah and Susana. Daughter of Sandford and Bessie Eisler (both deceased). Linda touched so many lives in such a positive way throughout her professional and personal life. Linda was a graduate of Ohio University with a degree in Physics, following in the footsteps of her father, also a physicist, who taught in the Cleveland Public Schools and ultimately chaired their science department. Linda started her career as a rocket scientist at the NASA Lewis Research Center (now Glenn Research Center) in Cleveland, OH. She then spent several years teaching science and math, first at Hathaway Brown School and then at the Brady Middle School. Her later professional life was spent as the technical director of the Civil Engineering Unit (CEU) Cleveland of the United States Coast Guard where she earned the title of ‘she who must be obeyed’. She was responsible for everything that didn’t ‘Float or Fly’ for 22 states encompassing the Great Lakes and Atlantic seaboard. In her private life Linda enjoyed hiking (and lunching) with her walking group, she was an accomplished pianist, an avid bridge player, and loved attending the theater and the Cleveland Orchestra. Linda was active in Temple Emanu El, holding various leadership positions and was instrumental in the construction of the new Temple in Orange Village. She loved travelling, which took her to Italy, the Amazon, around the tip of South America, and on numerous trips to Israel where she participated in the Engliyada program teaching English. In recent years, her most cherished companion was her ‘bucket list’ dog, Scoter, an 80-pound golden retriever that she trained in agility and as a therapy dog visiting hospitals, nursing homes and even the Cleveland Orchestra. When walking long distances became difficult, Linda and Scoter could be seen riding around the neighborhood, she on her ‘Tricycle’ and Scoter running alongside. Linda never let anything get her down and always lived life to the fullest. She was ahead of her time in so many ways. Her technical understanding and knowledge, from cars to computers, her wit and her political insights will be missed. Funeral services will be held at Temple Emanu El (4545 Brainard Road, Orange Village, OH 44022) on Wednesday, June 13th at 1:30 PM. Interment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park. The family will be receiving visitors at Temple Emanu El following interment until 7 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Gathering Place (23300 Commerce Park, Beachwood, Ohio 44122) or Temple Emanu El. Special thanks for the thoughtful care provided by the staff at Montefiore, Vinney Hospice Center of Beachwood, Ohio.
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