It is with deep sorrow that we inform you of the passing of a most cherished member of our SAJAC community, Fanny Krasner Lebovits.
We express our heartfelt condolences and prayers for comfort to Fanny’s loving family: Harold (Joy) Krasner, Milton (Stephanie) Krasner, Shirley (Howard) First, Marc (Shana) Lebovits, along with her nine grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.
A Burial Service will be held, Friday September 8th at 3:00 p.m. at Home of Peace Cemetery, 3668 Imperial Ave. San Diego, CA 92113. Please be aware that Home of Peace is a very hilly site and parking is limited.
Your comforting presence will be appreciated at a Memorial Service to be held Sunday, September 10th at 3:00 p.m. at Congregation Beth El, 8660 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037.
Shiva Minyan services will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday evenings, September 10th, 11th, and 12th at the home of Shirley and Howard First, 3358 Millikin Ave., San Diego, CA 92122.
May Fanny’s memory inspire blessing and goodness.
Fanny Krasner Lebovits, a remarkable woman who defied unimaginable odds, passed away just one month shy of her 101st birthday. Her life was a testament to courage, compassion, and resilience.
Born in Libau, Latvia, on October 27,1922, Fanny was the oldest of three girls. Her father, a shoe designer, owned a shoe store and factory, providing the family with a comfortable life. But their world shattered when the Nazis invaded.
From 1941 to 1945, Fanny endured unimaginable horrors. She was sent to four Nazi concentration camps—five times in total. Out of the 6 million Jews killed by the Nazis, 79 were her own family members. Only she and her sister survived. Fanny’s memoir, “Memories, Miracles, and Meaning: Insights of a Holocaust Survivor,” chronicles her harrowing experiences.
Liberated but weighing only 59 pounds, Fanny rebuilt her life. She moved to Sweden and worked for the World Jewish Congress before settling in South Africa in 1948 where she married her late husband Louis Krasner, who had left the same hometown Libau, Liepaja as Fanny.Together they were activiely engaged in business for 31 years. They raised 3 children Harold, Shirly and Milton and were deeply involved in the Jewish community of Johannesburg.
In 1979, she made San Diego her home.
Not only enjoying life with her entire family, she was very involved in several communal activities particularly Hadassah, where she served as President of both the local Hadassah chapter and the Southwest Region and became a Founder and Keeper of the Gate. She was honored as Hadassah woman of distinction and as Jewish Community foundation Woman of Valor.
Fanny is survived by her four children Harold Krasner, Shirley First, Milton Krasner and Marc Lebovits, nine grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. Her victory over evil lies not only in her generation,but also in her enduring message: ” You must realize hate is the worst thing in the whole world, and love is the best thing. Love takes you a long way, where hate destroys you.”
Fanny Krasner Lebovits’ courage and compassion will forever inspire us. May her memory be a blessing.
