Rhalda Prystowsky – of blessed memory

Dr. Harry and Rhalda Prystowsky z”l

Rhalda Bressler Prystowsky z”l passed away peacefully on May 27, 2020 on the same day as the yahrzeit of her late husband and the love of her life, Dr. Harry Prystowsky, of blessed memory. During her lifetime, she had an indelible impact everywhere she lived and held a number of community leadership positions.

In Gainesville, FL, during Harry’s tenure as Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Florida, she was Founder and President of the Hadassah chapter and Founder and Executive Director of the United Jewish Appeal organization and a Founding Member and President of the University of Florida Medical Guild.

In Pennsylvania, the Prytowskys lived both in Hershey and Harrisburg. Rhalda founded and served as President of The Hershey Museum of Life and chaired the Hershey League of Women Voters. When they moved to Harrisburg, Rhalda was involved in the Jewish Federation. Later, when the couple retired to Surfside, FL, Rhalda became a proud Lion of Judah for nearly 30 years and one of the early members of The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation Heritage Society by making a $100,000 legacy commitment through a gift of life insurance in 1993.

Ray Ellen Yarkin credits her mother, Rhalda, for setting the stage for her future involvement in the Jewish community. “My mother’s involvement in the highest levels of leadership in a variety of organizations influenced my community involvement. When I was in elementary school, I have a distinct memory of my mother making campaign solicitations for the Jewish Federation in Gainesville.”

Sophie Yarkin shared that the importance of family and Jewish tradition were two things she learned from her grandmother. “I always remember her cooking the most fabulous meals for Shabbat, Jewish holidays and Thanksgiving. It was important to her that she taught us the recipes so we, in turn, could pass those traditions on to our children. My last words to my grandmother were ‘You were the glue of our family and I promise to keep the traditions of our family alive.’ Then she passed away peacefully.”

Rhalda’s sister, Nancy Lipoff, credits Rhalda for two important things — introducing her to her husband, Norman, and teaching her entertaining etiquette. “When Rhalda and Harry moved to Gainesville, our mother told her I would be coming to visit and she should find the ‘best guy on campus for me.’ The rest is history! After our wedding, we spent our first six months in Gainesville while Norman finished law school. Every morning I would take something from the freezer and call my sister for cooking instructions. She also taught me how to have a proper dinner party — lessons I still use today.”

When Rhalda moved to The Palace in Coral Gables, Ray Ellen knew she would need additional assistance managing her mother’s care. She turned to Nancy, who immediately replied, “Call Golden Care.” As a past Foundation Chair, Nancy was very familiar with the Golden Care program.

“Golden Care was phenomenal, a lifesaver,” Ray Ellen shared. “It was regular and reliable. Mindy Tucker, Golden Care Director, scheduled and took my mother to her medical appointments, was in constant touch with her aides and always reported back to the family on the results of each doctor visit and next course of action. Most importantly, mom was comfortable and very happy with the level of care she received.”

Rhalda will be forever remembered by friends and family for her beauty, generosity, grace and poise. Through the Rhalda Bressler Prystowsky Lion of Judah Endowment fund, Rhalda’s philanthropy and Jewish values will continue in perpetuity.