Frieda Lenora Goldenhersh

Frieda Lenora Goldenhersh, age 88, passed away on March 25, 2016, in Laguna Woods, CA. Frieda is survived by brothers Victor (wife Ethel), Leo (wife Ethel), and sister-in-law Tammy; daughter Jo Ellen (husband Steven), son Mark (wife Jennifer), and daughter-in-law Elizabeth. Frieda’s youngest son, Donny, passed away in March 2006. Grandchildren Heather (husband Brían), Blake (wife Clarissa), Grant (wife Tania), Rachel, Samantha, Jonah and Josephine. Frieda spent the final years of her journey with four beautiful great-grandchildren – Molly, Oona, Miles, and Ellis – who she frequently said, “give me life.”

Frieda was born in St. Louis, MO, on June 23, 1927 and remained a resident there for 80 years. She graduated from Soldan High School in 1944 and promptly found work as a lab technician at Jewish Hospital. In 1946 she married Samuel (Sam) Jonah Goldenhersh; they were best friends and partners in marriage until Sam passed away in September 1987. “We used to have more fun than anybody else,” Frieda recently said while reminiscing with family members about their 41-year marriage. Frieda and Sam were mainstays in the St. Louis community, where they raised three beautiful children and thrived in all aspects of life. They lived in Ladue for many years before moving to Meadowbrook Country Club in 1975, where they were members and avid golfers. In 2007, Frieda bravely, at the age of 80, moved to Laguna Woods, CA to be closer to family and friends.

Frieda was always decades ahead of the time and focused on learning, self-improvement and the well-being of her friends and family. “She lived and breathed to learn, and to share that learning to help anyone in need,” a longtime confidante said, echoing the sentiments of all those who knew Frieda. She adored her family and her friends and life, no matter what pain or sorrow it could bring. Indeed, she always taught us that a most precious, essential quality to cultivate was ‘forgiveness.’ Frieda was also a dedicated movie-goer and reader – passionate about her New Yorker class and book clubs – as well as her all-time favorite game, bridge.

Frieda will be remembered as the essence of beauty, class and style. She wore black leather pants in her early-70s and was always dressed to the nines. A gorgeous looking woman with eternally young skin, she was always self-effacing when people remarked how physically beautiful she was – and her inner and outer beauty were stunning through the end of her journey.

Funeral service Friday, April 1st, 11:00 AM at BERGER MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 9430 Olive Blvd. Visitation Friday 10:30 AM. Interment Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery. Memorial contributions  preferred to The Foundation of Laguna Woods Village, P.O. Box 3279, Laguna Woods, CA, 92654 or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, http://diabetesfoundation.jdrf.com/info/jdrf/ .