Sarah “Minnie” Droz
Sarah “Minnie” Droz
DROZ: Sarah “Minnie” Droz, 97, passed peacefully at Charles Morris Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Pittsburgh on December 25, having recently been a much-loved resident of Weinberg Terrace. She was preceded in death by her parents, Abraham and Annie Justa; husband of 54 years, Sidney; sisters, Faye Lipman and Dora Baron; brothers, Louis, Sam and Jacob Justa; and son, Alan Droz. Born, November 1, 1921, in Richmond, Virginia, to Yiddish-speaking Russian immigrants, Minnie never completely lost her smooth southern drawl, even when she spoke Yiddish. She learned to sew at a young age, making her own clothes, and loved to dance. In 1931 she married Sidney, a welder working in Newport News, Virginia, and also a great dancer, then moved to Pittsburgh, Sid’s hometown, to raise their sons in Brookline while Sid built a successful business. Apart from sewing and dancing, Minnie was also a great cook and an active member of Beth El Congregation Sisterhood in the South Hills. After Sid’s death in 1985, Minnie moved to Ft. Lauderdale, continuing to sew, dance and volunteer as an usher at local theaters. She also started Minnie Droz Designs where she made and donated purses to local nonprofits and enjoyed cruises and traveling. When she moved to Weinberg Terrace, she became an active resident, always enjoying bingo, weekly trips to cultural events and mending for other residents. After her memory began to waver, and residents wondered whatever happened to their pants, she gave up mending, but continued to entertain her fellow residents with her sharp wit, insight and wonderful stories. She is survived by her sons Dan (Cathy) and Gary (Shelley); grandchildren, Lani (Michael), David (Allie), Ben, Becca, Lauren (Oren) and Sara; as well as great-grandchildren, Sid, Molly, Shoshanna, Maayan, Noah and Eli. Services and interment private. Donations may be made to Weinberg Terrace, 5757 Bartlett Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 or the Jewish Association for Aging, 200 JHF Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15217. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family owned and operated. schugar.com
comments