Cynthia Portnoy Kagan Frohlichstein, January 29, 2024
Beloved wife of the late Harvey Frohlichstein, Jr. for 37 years. Loving mother of Betty (partner; Martin Wice) Kagan and Michael (Sara) Kagan. Cherished grandmother of Eliah Kagan. Beloved sister of the late Shilah (the late Irv) Eisenberg and the late Stanwood (the late Dorothy) Portnoy. Dear sister-in-law of the late Eunice (the late Ralph) Kagan Horwitz. Beloved daughter of the late Simon and the late Ruth Weisman Portnoy. Our dear aunt, cousin and friend.
Cynthia started her philanthropic giving in grade school, holding a war bond rally. She continued to do community service throughout her time at University City High School at Washington University, serving the community ever since. After graduating she began her many successful careers. She taught elementary school and at Meramec, worked as a fashion and photographic model, radio and TV emcee and acted at the Crystal Palace in Gaslight Square. After marrying Harvey, she earned her master’s at Webster, plus did travel writing for the Midwest AAA magazine. In 2007 she published her award-winning children’s book, The Perils of the Peanut Butter Kid. She wrote her second book, The Peanut Butter Birthday Party in 2013. People often refer to her as a “Renaissance Woman”.
She volunteered for Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis, and the St. Louis Jewish Book Festival. After surviving breast cancer in 1975, Cynthia worked with numerous local cancer charities. She developed “Press Club at The Gatesworth”, a monthly presentation by Press Club members for her fellow residents.
Cynthia received the “Woman of Worth Award” from OWL, Women of Achievement “Lifetime Service Award”, Missouri Professional Communicators “Quest Award”, The Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis “Catfish Award”, and was an Ageless Remarkable St. Louisan in 2014.
Cynthia enjoyed fine dining, Sundays with Betty and Marty, The Fox, The Rep, Speakers’ Series and found out she really liked opera. Holidays spent with Marty’s extended family and Betty’s friends who called her “Mrs. Mother”. Thanks to her fur babies Paprika and Romeo, friends, and family she flourished in the final years of her “never boring life”.
Graveside service Friday, February 2, 10:30am at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery, 9125 Ladue Road. Contributions in Cynthia’s memory may be made to the NCJW-St. Louis, to Cancer Support Community-Greater St Louis, or to Planned Parenthood of the St Louis Region and Southwest Missouri. A RINDSKOPF-ROTH SERVICE
