Obituary of Fayna S. Birnbaum

The candle of life peacefully flickered out for our matriarch, Fayna S. Birnbaum, 91, on December 21, at the Jerome Home in New Britain, CT.

Fayna was a native of Hartford but a dedicated daughter of New Britain for nearly 70 years. The 1950 graduate of Weaver High School was the widow of David L. Birnbaum, who died six years earlier, almost to the day.

Fayna is survived by her daughter, Lisa S. (Birnbaum) Lipshez of Unionville and her husband Ken, and her son Dr. Neil S. Birnbaum and his wife, Dr. Ruth Barnert, of Sharon, MA. Fayna became a great-grandmother November 11, when granddaughter Dr. Andrea Birnbaum and her husband, Dr. Andrew Davidowitz of Los Angeles, welcomed Shira Davidowitz into the world.

Fayna also leaves grandchildren Dr. Aaron Birnbaum and his wife Amy Foster of Boston; Ricky Birnbaum, of Boston; Jason Groob and his wife Kate, of New York City; Jason Lipshez and his wife Brittany Diorio, of Avon.

Fayna, elegant and proud of her heritage and family, graduated from Hillyer College (now University of Hartford) with an associate degree in social work. She was a lifetime member and former president of the New Britain chapter of Hadassah, with which she was honored with the Hand of Healing Award. She was also president of the local chapter of the Visiting Nurses and Homecare Services of CT. She was a corporator for the New Britain General Hospital, where she volunteered in the radiology department for 25 years. She served as president of the North Central Regional Mental Health Board. She was among the founders of the Home Hospice Program.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, December 29 at noon at Beth Alom Cemetery, 48 Allen St., New Britain, to send her on her journey of peace. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Hartford Healthcare at Home – Home Hospice Care 1290 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield, CT 06109.