Sylvia Feldman

Sylvia Feldman

FELDMAN: Sylvia Feldman, aged 102, of La Jolla, California, formerly of Pittsburgh passed away on Jan. 1, 2023. Sylvia June Swartz was born on June 17, 1920, to the late Israel and Bertha Klatman Swartz, an immigrant family who struggled to make ends meet. Sylvia graduated from high school at age 16 and from the University of Pittsburgh in 1940. During her early teen years, she met the love of her life, Ben Dobkin, and they married in 1941. As the war began, she accompanied Ben to postings around the country, heading back to Pittsburgh when he shipped out to the Pacific theater. Together they had three sons — Richard (Francine), David (Suzanne Gespass) and Larry (Janet), who survive her. Sylvia was an early career woman. As her children grew, she became a substitute teacher and then a classroom teacher in business education. She returned to school for a master’s degree in her 50s and established herself as a guidance counselor before her retirement. Ben passed away in 1986, and soon after, Sylvia married the second love of her life, Dan Feldman. They began a new life together in San Diego and spent the next two decades traveling the world while being active members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UCSD. Her stepchildren through Dan — Linda and Gary — also survive her. Besides her children and stepchildren, Sylvia leaves a legacy of seven grandchildren spread across the globe and 10 great-grandchildren ranging in age from 1 to 19. Sylvia lived a remarkable life, fully experiencing every decade she lived through. The Depression shaped her childhood and World War II impacted her early adulthood. The civil rights movement, and later the human potential movement, changed her career path. In her retirement, she continued her education while also embracing new technologies — the personal computer and the internet. In each period of her life, Sylvia experienced the world and the world influenced her journey. Memorial contributions can be made to Jewish Family Services of San Diego or Silverado Hospice of San Diego, both of which provided excellent care to Sylvia in her later years, or to a charity of your choice. PJC

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