CWIRN, Lee - Mother of Caren Birnbaum, passed away from Covid-19 on April 12 in Emerson, New Jersey.
Born in Prague, Lee led an enchanted life as the daughter of Jane and Oscar Guth. When Germany invaded Czechoslovakia, her family fled first to Paris, then Casablanca, to Montreal and finally to New York City. She completed her education at Julia Richmond High School and NYU.
It was her love of travel that led her to becoming a travel agent at Continental American Travel, followed by Valerie Wilson Travel where she excelled at providing stellar service to her clients. She continued working into her 90's.
It was at a dance on the Upper West Side where she met the love of her life, Lazar. He too had escaped from Antwerp, ultimately settling in Manhattan as a diamond dealer on 47th Street. Married in February, 1949, they moved to Forest Hills and had one daughter.
Life was good until 1965 when she was diagnosed with cancer. These were early days in terms of treatment and she almost died. It was her strength and support of family that guided her to recovery.
Lee's first love was her family, but she also had a wide circle of friends and coworkers, and she was adored by all. She and Lazar were a "team" who loved to dance, travel, take long walks, dine out and have cocktails where they would catch up on each other's days. They held hands until death separated them.
She is survived by her daughter Caren and husband Bill, grandchildren, Adam and Mollie, Jared and Leah, David and Sydney and great grandchildren, Nathan, Noah and Graham.
The funeral was held on Friday April 17, 2020 in Paramus New Jersey. She was 94 years old.
Memorial donations may be made to The Canadian Cancer Society.
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