Borough Park, NY – Mrs. Feige Francis, a”h, a Brooklyn speech therapist who volunteered at the Masbia soup kitchen one day a week, was niftar on Tuesday after a short illness. She was approximately 54.
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Rabbi Chaim Yosef Steinberger, the mashgiach at Masbia, told Hamodia that Mrs. Francis lit up the place every Thursday as she would come to help serve Masbia’s patrons. “As with everything she did,” said Rabbi Steinberger, “she was a dedicated volunteer, and treated those she served like they were family.”
Mrs. Francis worked as a speech therapist in Brooklyn, where she dealt with children in a dedicated fashion. “She took care of the children as if they were her own,” said Rabbi Steinberger.
Mrs. Francis would take off on Thursdays to volunteer at Masbia. A few years ago Mrs. Francis called Rabbi Steinberger to ask if she could volunteer at the soup kitchen. She started coming every Thursday, usually with her closest friend, Debbie Friedman, to help serve food to the needy.
Alexander Rapaport, Masbia’s executive director, said that it was unusual for someone to offer their help and continue coming for so long. “We get calls every day from people expressing their willingness to come and volunteer,” he said. “Out of those, just a few end up coming for a day. Mrs. Francis came on a weekly basis and was mistaken by those she served for a paid employee. That’s how dedicated
she was.” Mrs. Francis was born in the mid-1950s to Reb Yosef Hillel and Sarah Esther Friedman. Several months ago Mrs. Francis went over to Rabbi Steinberger and said she had some bad news to tell him. “They found a tumor in my kidneys,” she said. From there the illness progressed rapidly. A few weeks after the discovery she fell into a coma from which she never awoke; she passed away on Monday.
Mrs. Francis is survived by her husband Mr. Bruce Francis, and children, Menachem Wiederman, Avraham Yaakov Wiederman and Mrs. Jenny Rokeach. Another son, Moshe Weiderman, had been niftar while in his 20s a few years ago.
The levayah took place Wednesday in Shomrei Hachomos Chapels in Boro Park. Maspidim included her husband, sons and her son-in-law Dudi Rokeach. Kvurah was in Beth David Cemetery in Elmont, N.Y. Shivah will be observed at 1924 East 24th Street in Flatbush until Monday morning. Yehi zichrah baruch.
She sounds like a real aishet chayil. May her memory be blessed.
I’m sure that this Mitzvos and Masim Tovim she did in her is a tremendus zchus in Shomayim for her, may she be a mlitzoh Yeshuru for every one, and Moshiach should come Bekorov Mamesh
B”DE. I’m stunned.
BD”E. She sounds such a special lady. May her memory be a blessing.
B.D.E. I wish there will be a cure for cancer in our generation.
I’m sure that this Mitzvos and Masim Tovim she did in her is a tremendus zchus in Shomayim for her, may she be a mlitzoh Yeshuru for every one, and Moshiach should come Bekorov Mamesh
She was a professor in touro college and she did unbelievable work!!! She was the most devoted therapist and clinician
Sorry about Mrs. Francis.It gave me a wake up call to do what she did.
Unfortunately life is very unpredicatable. In todays times it is important and mandatory that when we go for an annual physical we demand a full body scan, such as a CT(catscan). Many of us who end up sick remember telling the doctor of symptons earlier which were put under the rug till the point when we ourselves don’t need a doctor to tell us something is wrong. B”H i am fine but still have a cloud hovering over me.
(correction: while the illness was rapid, she was never in a coma but was rather lucid until a few days prior to her passing.)
Most people will remember her as Faigie Wiederman.
She was definitely one of the most special people.
May she be a meilatz yosher o us all.
A great therapist and teacher, always available to help with a smile.
Yehi Zichra Baruch