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Len's Mother
Fannie Meiches Morgenstern
September 3, 1895-March 18, 1990
Fannie Morgenstern was born in a small Ukranian town named Tiofopol, on September 3, 1895. Her father was Nathan Meyuchas (Meiches in America), a scholar, and her mother was Chasia Liefstein. She was ten years old when the family came to the United States, settling in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1920, she married Isaac Morgenstern, or "Morgenstern" as he was always called. They had two children, Leonard and Charlotte, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Although she never attended high school, Fannie was cultured and well-read, speaking perfect Yiddish and English, and she was familiar with the classics in both languages.
Fannie was known for her creativity. She painted beautiful watercolors. She had a marvellous sense of style, knitting all kinds of garments in exquisite patterns, and making tailored dresses and suits on her old treadle-operated sewing machine. Even when she was over eighty, her relatives, near and distant, would receive huge packages of her "famous" strudel on the High Holidays. Her marmalades are still remembered.
When Fannie lived in Omaha, the city had about nine thousand Jews. She and Morgenstern were community leaders, especially active in Zionist organizations. In fact, Golda Meir, or Golda Meyerson as she was known in those days, stayed at their house on one of her many organizing missions. During World War II, Morgenstern became ill, and Fannie went to work at the Martin aircraft factory in Omaha, soldering junction boxes for B26 and B29 bombers. She was there for over two years, until the end of the war. Later, they lived in Denver and Los Angeles.
Fannie and Morgenstern moved to Elsinore, California, in 1951. She continued to be busy in the community and often served as an officer in various organizations. "They make me treasurer because I can take care of the money and have it come our right," she once said. In 1978, she moved to Downey, California, to stay with her daughter, Charlotte.
Fannie possessed great devotion and loyalty to her family. No one could make an unfavorable comment about a relative in her presence, even if it might be deserved. In her later years, her great pride was her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Her husband often referred to her as an "Eshes Chayil," the "Woman of Valor" of the 150th chapter of Proverbs, and she will always be a person of righteous memory. Her relatives and friends remember her kindness, her friendliness, and helpfulness. |
