Ann Braun Goldfein, 81, died on Sept. 30, 2012, after a yearlong battle with ovarian cancer.
Born in Chicago, Mrs. Goldfein studied art at the Pratt Institute of Design in New York City. Later, while living in Chicago, her brother Mac introduced her to Sam Goldfein and they married in 1958.
Mrs. Goldfein was the advertising and marketing director of the Arizona Jewish Post from 1989 to 1998, and was a longtime member of the AJP advisory board.
“When I was the [AJP] executive editor, I was inspired by her intellectual curiosity, her creativity and her imagination,” says Sandy Heiman. “She accepted the many challenges that came in her life with good humor, an optimistic spirit and a belief that we could accomplish a great deal — often under difficult circumstances.”
“Ann was a community builder par excellance,” says Carol Karsch, former executive director of the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona. “During her volunteer life Ann worked on the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona campaign as well as the Jewish Community Relations Council as we rallied for the freedom of Soviet Jewry. Following her career at the Post, Ann joined the board of the Jewish Community Foundation where she, as always, took a leading role. As volunteer coordinator of the first ever Jewish Legacy Forum, Ann helped make it possible for 26 Jewish communities throughout the United States and Canada to launch a North American movement, which continues today. For this, and her endless efforts to build a Jewish life in America and safeguard the State of Israel, Ann will be remembered with love, gratitude and the deepest respect.”
Mrs. Goldfein was preceded in death by her husband, Sam Goldfein. Survivors include her children, Ari (née Ellen) Goldfein of Tucson, Nathan (Rosa) Goldfein of Tijeras, N.M., and David (Lisa) Goldfein of La Crosse, Wisc.; sister, Binnie (Larry) Lieberman of Urbana, Ill.; sister-in-law, Fern Rose of West Palm Beach, Fla., and brother-in-law Melvin Goldfein of Minneapolis, Minn.; and five grandchildren.
Graveside services were held in the Congregation Or Chadash section of Evergreen Cemetery with Rabbi Stephanie Aaron of Congregation Chaverim officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sam Goldfein Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona, 5546 E. 4th St., Tucson, 85711.
