Lillian Anna Brodkey, 1917 - 2017

BRODKEY, HECHTENTHAL, SCHWARTZ

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/21/2017 at 13:06:26

Sioux City Journal
16 September 2017

Sioux City

Lillian Anna Brodkey, 100, of Sioux City, passed away on Thursday, September 14, 2017 at a Sioux City hospital.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Sunday at Congregation Beth Shalom. Burial will be in Mt. Carmel Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Arrangements under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to www.meyerbroschapels.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Congregation Beth Shalom or the Sioux City Lions Club.

Lillian was born July 19, 1917 in Chicago. She was the daughter of Louis and Anna (Hechtenthal) Schwartz. Lillian grew up in Chicago and married Dr. Norman Brodkey November 24, 1946 in Chicago. After the marriage, they came to Sioux City. Lillian graduated from Spertus College and Morningside College. Throughout her life, she counseled others, created community and taught many people Jewish traditions and beliefs. She created many opportunities for young people to learn and grow through such diverse activities as founding the Sioux City Bicycle Safety Club and serving as Executive Director of the Girl Scouts.

“If you will it, it is no dream” These words were Lillian Brodkey’s guiding principle. A native of Chicago, Lillian has stood out – brilliant, courageous, wise, a model of integrity. In an era when many women’s options seemed limited, Lillian took on the world. As Vice President of Junior Hadassah, she traveled throughout North America sharing the vision for the fledgling State of Israel, organizing communities and inspiring other to leadership.

She worked as a longtime office assistant for her husband’s optometric practice.

Lillian served as assistant director of the Brandeis Bardin Institute in California and recruited scores of Jewish young adults to explore their Jewish roots at the Institute.

She was a woman of many firsts, including the first female President of Shaare Zion Synagogue in Sioux City. Lillian also served as President of the Shaare Zion Women’s League.

She was active in numerous civic and community organizations including, serving as a Charter Member, board member and Secretary of Sioux City Lioness Club, organizing and supervising the Sioux City Young Judea clubs, volunteering at the Sioux City Soup Kitchen and a member of the Lions Club Board of Directors.

Lillian had an unwavering commitment to Judaism, the Jewish community, community service and her family. She was a strong and well-respected leader, supporter of others in need, inspiring speaker. She has been a mother extraordinaire, committed partner and wife, mediator and lover of life. All this she combined with a gentle appreciation of the lighter side of life – softball games, chocolate yogurt, novels, jigsaw puzzles and Sunday night concerts at the Sioux City bandshell.

Survivors include her children, Daniel Brodkey of Sioux City, Jerry Brodkey and his wife Patricia of Los Altos, Calif., and Judy Brodkey of Portland, Ore.; 2 grandchildren, David and Anna Maria Brodkey.

Lillian was preceded in death by her parents; her husband and two brothers, Samuel and Charles Schwartz.