If there is such a person as an Hadassah prodigy,  Marilyn Mishkin, who was a lifetime member of  that organization, was that person.  When she was only 15, the late Rabbi Abraham Halpern of Congregation  B’nai Amoona selected her to give a speech at the Muny on  May 14, 1949 in celebration of Israel’s  first birthday as a modern Jewish  State.  Mrs. Mishkin’s commitment to Israel, Hadassah, Israel Bonds and Congregation B’nai Amoona sustained her throughout her life, during good times and challenging times.

Marilyn Cantor Mishkin lost her years-long and valiant struggle with MSA — motor systems atrophy — a debilitating disease which put her in a wheelchair and robbed her of her distinctive spoken voice, but which  never broke  her spirit.  She died last Wednesday, July 20, 2010.   She was 77 and a longtime resident of Creve Coeur.  

Mrs. Mishkin was remembered with respect, love, good humor and admiration at her funeral service held last Friday at Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel Congregation, which opened its sanctuary for the service because Mrs. Mishkin’s beloved synagogue, B’nai Amoona, was   having its sanctuary renovated to make its bima wheelchair accessible.  Ironically, Mrs. Mishkin was one of the leading advocates for the renovation, and despite her illness sent an impassioned email to the congregation urging its approval some months back.  Even though her illness silenced her spoken voice for  the past few years, she was able to communicate through emails and by spelling words on a device on her wheelchair.  

Rabbi Josef Davidson, adjunct rabbi and Cantor Sharon Nathanson of Congregation B’nai Amoona officiated, with additional remarks offered by three of her sons, including Rabbi Michael Mishkin, who serves  Beth Israel Congregation, a Conservative synagogue in Port  Washington, N.Y.; Lawrence Mishkin of Evanston, Ill., and Jeffrey Mishkin of St. Louis. Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose of B’nai Amoona was unable to attend,  and Rabbi Davidson expressed gratitude to Rabbi Mordecai Miller of BSKI  for making  its sanctuary available for the service, which was   attended by several hundred people.

Marilyn Cantor Mishkin was born in St. Louis on April 2, 1934, the daughter of the late Sol and Rose Cantor.  She graduated from University City High School in 1951 and from Washington University in 1955.  In 1959, she met Dr. Marvin Mishkin, who had joined the staff of Barnes Hospital.   They were married on Aug. 28, 1960 on the top floor of the Park Plaza  Hotel.  The couple had four children.

Throughout her entire life, from a very young age, Mrs.  Mishkin was an active and enthusiastic member of the St. Louis  Chapter of Hadassah, and served as its president.  Nearly every Jewish woman in the St. Louis area can recall having been urged by  Mrs. Mishkin not only to join Hadassah but to become—like herself—an active Lifetime Member.

Judy Kramer, immediate past president of the St. Louis Chapter of Hadassah, described Mrs. Mishkin as “an amazing lady,” and added,  “interestingly, as the mother of four sons, Marilyn still made the time to champion the power and potential of Jewish women through  Hadassah.  She participated actively for many, many years, including taking the presidency, and generously made certain that her entire family were Life Members, the women and the men, the girls and the boys.  It was not unusual, even through her long illness, to receive written notes of encouragement and congratulations, which were always  appreciated.” 

Indeed, many people told the Jewish Light how much they treasured lifetime friendships with Mrs. Mishkin. Marcia Broddon recalled that she and Mrs. Mishkin, who were born only seven days apart, shared all aspects  of their  mutual lives for over 70 years.  “She was truly a treasured friend to all of us,” she said.

In addition to her leadership and loyalty to Hadassah and B’nai  Amoona, Mrs. Mishkin was also  active on behalf of State of Israel Bonds, the St. Louis Chapter of the American Society for Technion,  the Jewish National Fund and the Alfred Fleishman B’nai B’rith Institute of Judaism. 

In his remarks, her son Rabbi Michael Mishkin inspired affectionate laughter when he observed, “As all of you know, Mom was good at  getting what she wanted.  She had the skill as well as the ability to lay on the guilt, and just as she brought the family together for Shabbat dinners and on so many other occasions,  she has done so at this very service.”

Rabbi Mishkin recalled his mother’s strong attachment to B’nai Amoona and to its rabbis, from Rabbi Abraham Halpern and Rabbi Bernard Lipnick through Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose.  “She was passionate in her commitment to family, community and synagogue life. . . Like Abraham and Sarah, my parents always welcomed guests into our home for holiday dinners, Passover seders, Thanksgiving  dinners and other holidays.  In all ways, she demonstrated that Judaism was full of  meaning.”

He added that when her parents, Sol and Rose Cantor passed away, she started attending  the daily minyan at B’nai Amoona, which she  continued to attend for over 20 years. 

“She always wanted to have a bat mitzvah, and with the help of Cantor Leon Lissek and Rabbi Bernard Lipnick, she had one a few weeks before her 65th  birthday.  Dad and all of us were so proud of her on that occasion,” Rabbi Miskin added.

Remarks of warm affection and respect were offered by grandson Matthew Mishkin; brother, Dr. Harvey Cantor of St. Louis and sister- in-law, Celeste Kessler of Salinas,  Calif.  Harvey Cantor spoke of his sister’s “strength and determination” in the face of great  challenges, and  her role in “repairing the world for all of us.” 

Survivors include her husband, Dr. Marvin Mishkin of Creve Coeur; sons Rabbi Michael Mishkin (Tamara Noble) of Port Washington, N.Y.; Lawrence Mishkin (Judy) of  Evanston, Ill.; Jeffrey Mishkin (Joanne) of St. Louis and Steven Mishkin of St.  Louis; her brother Dr. Harvey Cantor (Francine) of St. Louis, and six grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her younger brother, the late Saunders Milton Cantor, who died in 1983.

Burial was at B’nai Amoona Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are preferred to Congregation B’nai Amoona,  Hadassah or the charity of the donor’s choice.