Bronislava Goldfarb Obituary

With deep love and respect, the family of Bronislava Goldfarb announces her passing on July 27, 2024, at the age of 83. Born on May 29, 1941, in Zhytomyr, Ukraine, Bronislava lived a remarkable life defined by resilience, intellect, and devotion to her family.

A Life of Strength and Scholarship

A Holocaust survivor, Bronislava overcame unimaginable challenges to become the first in her family to earn a PhD from Tashkent State University in Uzbekistan. She graduated at the top of her class, breaking barriers in a male-dominated academic world. From 1968 to 1993, she served as a college professor, inspiring countless students with her intelligence, eloquence, and quiet strength.

After immigrating to the United States, Bronislava continued her life of service and compassion, working as a home health aide in New York City from 2000 to 2019. Her career reflected not only her brilliance but also her deep empathy for others.

Family and Legacy

Bronislava was the beloved wife of the late Yefim Aptekar (married 1961–1993). She was a devoted mother to Alla Ifraimova and Svetlana Kryzhanovsky, and a cherished grandmother to Rodney Kryzhanovsky, Daniel Kryzhanovsky, Irina Aptekar Levin, and Alan Ifraimov. She was the treasured daughter of Sura Melamed and Jacob Goldfarb.

Her family remembers her as a woman of gentle spirit, unwavering patience, and profound intelligence. She never raised her voice, yet her words carried wisdom and grace.

Bronislava’s love of reading was one of her defining qualities. She could often be found at the public library, eagerly searching for her next novel. She also enjoyed knitting, creating pieces that carried her warmth and care.

Her life story is one of perseverance, dignity, and quiet triumph. She showed her daughters and grandchildren that education, kindness, and resilience can overcome even the greatest obstacles.

Bronislava’s journey—from surviving the Holocaust, to achieving academic excellence, to nurturing her family—leaves behind a legacy of courage and inspiration. She will be remembered not only for her accomplishments but for the love, dignity, and strength she embodied every day.

The family invites friends and loved ones to honor Bronislava’s memory by remembering her and sharing stories, offering prayers, and carrying forward her values of compassion, learning, and perseverance.

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