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Gruber, Lydia Fay

Female 1918 - 2009  (91 years)


Personal Information    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Gruber, Lydia Fay  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
    Alt. Birth Sep 1918  Ohio, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 9
    Born 6 Sep 1918  Columbus, Franklin, Ohio, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13
    Gender Female 
    Residence 1920  Columbus, Franklin, Ohio, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Residence 1930  Columbus, Franklin, Ohio, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Died 20 Sep 2009  Rockville, Montgomery, Maryland, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [5
    Buried Rose Hill Cemetery Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I12333  Our Family | All Descendants of Hirsz Dunsky (I6345)
    Last Modified 16 Jan 2024 

    Father Gruber, Harry,   b. 28 Apr 1877, Hannover, Hannover, Niedersachsen, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 27 Sep 1951, Columbus, Franklin, Ohio, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 74 years) 
    Relationship natural 
    Mother Bonowitz, Lillian Bertha,   b. 8 Jan 1886, Suvalki, Poland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 Sep 1962, Columbus, Franklin, Ohio, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 76 years) 
    Relationship natural 
    Married 3 Apr 1906  Columbus, Franklin, Ohio, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [14, 15, 16, 17
    Family ID F6560  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Levinson, Gustave Leon,   b. 9 Apr 1915, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 13 Jun 2009, Rockville, Montgomery, Maryland, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 94 years) 
    Married 12 Oct 1947  Franklin County, Ohio, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [7, 18, 19, 20
    Children 
    +1. Levinson, Sandra Lee
    +2. Levinson, Pamela Gay
    +3. Levinson, Judith Ann
    +4. Levinson, Laurie Hope
    Last Modified 16 Jan 2024 
    Family ID F6663  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • Lydia F. Levinson (nee Gruber), beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister, died on September 20, 2009, in Rockville, Maryland. Born in Columbus, Ohio, September 6, 1918, Lydia graduated from South High School in 1936. After graduation, she worked as a bookkeeper and secretary in Columbus for several years. During this time, she developed many close friendships, often traveling with her friends to Miami, New York and other destinations. In 1946, a friend from Akron, Trudy Levinson, invited Lydia to visit over a holiday weekend and meet Trudy's brother, Gus. Lydia and Gus hit it off, and their relationship blossomed through several visits and numerous, beautiful love letters. They were married on October 12, 1947. They set up their home in Akron, and welcomed four daughters over the next 12 years. Lydia worked for several years as a legal secretary for attorney Jack Rich, and later became secretary to the head of the Art Department at the Akron Board of Education. In addition to her role in organizing various art programs throughout the Akron public schools, she proudly coordinated student art shows at O'Neil's Department Store. After Lydia retired from the Board of Education, she maintained close friendships with many of her former colleagues, attending luncheons and other social events with them. She also enjoyed extended family trips with Gus, her children and their families, traveling throughout the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Europe, Israel, and Egypt. Lydia was very active with the American Friends Service Committee, organizing phone trees and attending marches locally, regionally and in Washington, D.C. to advocate for nuclear non-proliferation, civil rights, and other important social issues. She also regularly contributed to many charitable organizations addressing a range of issues including human rights, women's issues, environmental protection, educational advancement, and support of the arts. Lydia spent many years as an active volunteer with her synagogue, Beth El Congregation, and was a Life Member of Hadassah, an international organization that supports health care, medical research, and education in Israel and the U.S.. She was an avid reader, and along with Gus and their friends, enjoyed attending musical and theatrical productions at local and regional theaters. Family was always her priority, however. She would drop everything to be of assistance to her children and their families when needed, or to join them in celebrating significant events in their lives. At the age of 88, she moved with Gus to the Washington D.C. area, where three of their four daughters live. While there, she continued to enjoy going out to restaurants and museums, and was able to attend a theatrical production at the Kennedy Center with other members of her family. Lydia and Gus celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in 2008 in Washington in the company of their daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren. Lydia's friends remember her as a real "force" -- a very independent and determined woman who was filled with life and believed in the power of women to bring about change. Despite her battle with Alzheimer's disease in the last few years, Lydia always kept her independent nature and maintained her fighting spirit. Lydia is survived by her brother, Howard (Martha); her daughters, Sande Brecher (Mitchell "Rick"), Judy (Bill Rogers), Laurie (Mike Kukura), and Pam (Dana Bowden); and her grandchildren, Todd and Jordan Brecher, Andrew Levinson, Sarah, Emily and Melanie Kukura, and Solon Bowden. Lydia was predeceased by her husband, Gus; her grandson, Reid Brecher; her brother, Gerald Gruber; and her sisters, Amelia and Matilda Gruber, Helen Winter, and Madelyn Hirsch. Graveside services will be held Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Rose Hill Cemetery, Beth El Section 11. Memorial observance at the family home through sundown Friday, September 25, 2009. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Lydia's name to: The , 225 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60601-7633. Published in Akron Beacon Journal on Sept. 22, 2009
      Published in Akron Beacon Journal on Sept. 22, 2009
      Lydia F. Levinson (nee Gruber), beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister, died on September 20, 2009, in Rockville, Maryland.

      Born in Columbus, Ohio, September 6, 1918, Lydia graduated from South High School in 1936. After graduation, she worked as a bookkeeper and secretary in Columbus for several years. During this time, she developed many close friendships, often traveling with her friends to Miami, New York and other destinations. In 1946, a friend from Akron, Trudy Levinson, invited Lydia to visit over a holiday weekend and meet Trudy's brother, Gus. Lydia and Gus hit it off, and their relationship blossomed through several visits and numerous, beautiful love letters. They were married on October 12, 1947. They set up their home in Akron, and welcomed four daughters over the next 12 years.

      Lydia worked for several years as a legal secretary for attorney Jack Rich, and later became secretary to the head of the Art Department at the Akron Board of Education. In addition to her role in organizing various art programs throughout the Akron public schools, she proudly coordinated student art shows at O'Neil's Department Store.

      After Lydia retired from the Board of Education, she maintained close friendships with many of her former colleagues, attending luncheons and other social events with them. She also enjoyed extended family trips with Gus, her children and their families, traveling throughout the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Europe, Israel, and Egypt.

      Lydia was very active with the American Friends Service Committee, organizing phone trees and attending marches locally, regionally and in Washington, D.C. to advocate for nuclear non-proliferation, civil rights, and other important social issues. She also regularly contributed to many charitable organizations addressing a range of issues including human rights, women's issues, environmental protection, educational advancement, and support of the arts.

      Lydia spent many years as an active volunteer with her synagogue, Beth El Congregation, and was a Life Member of Hadassah, an international organization that supports health care, medical research, and education in Israel and the U.S.. She was an avid reader, and along with Gus and their friends, enjoyed attending musical and theatrical productions at local and regional theaters. Family was always her priority, however. She would drop everything to be of assistance to her children and their families when needed, or to join them in celebrating significant events in their lives.

      At the age of 88, she moved with Gus to the Washington D.C. area, where three of their four daughters live. While there, she continued to enjoy going out to restaurants and museums, and was able to attend a theatrical production at the Kennedy Center with other members of her family. Lydia and Gus celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in 2008 in Washington in the company of their daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren.

      Lydia's friends remember her as a real "force" -- a very independent and determined woman who was filled with life and believed in the power of women to bring about change. Despite her battle with Alzheimer's disease in the last few years, Lydia always kept her independent nature and maintained her fighting spirit.

      Lydia is survived by her brother, Howard (Martha); her daughters, Sande Brecher (Mitchell "Rick"), Judy (Bill Rogers), Laurie (Mike Kukura), and Pam (Dana Bowden); and her grandchildren, Todd and Jordan Brecher, Andrew Levinson, Sarah, Emily and Melanie Kukura, and Solon Bowden. Lydia was predeceased by her husband, Gus; her grandson, Reid Brecher; her brother, Gerald Gruber; and her sisters, Amelia and Matilda Gruber, Helen Winter, and Madelyn Hirsch.

      Graveside services will be held Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Rose Hill Cemetery, Beth El Section 11. Memorial observance at the family home through sundown Friday, September 25, 2009. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Lydia's name to: The , 225 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60601-7633.

      Published in Akron Beacon Journal on Sept. 22, 2009

  • Sources 
    1. [S448] 1920 United States Federal Census.

    2. [S527] 1920 United States Federal Census, Ancestry.com, (Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.Original data - Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Rec;), Year: 1920; Census Place: Columbus Ward 3, Franklin, Ohio; Roll: T625_1380; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 60; Image: 1037.
      Birth date: abt 1919 Birth place: Ohio Residence date: 1920 Residence place: Columbus Ward 3, Franklin, Ohio
      1920 United States Federal Census
      1920 United States Federal Census


    3. [S527] 1920 United States Federal Census, Ancestry.com, (Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.Original data - Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Rec;), Year: 1920; Census Place: Rochester Ward 5, Monroe, New York; Roll: T625_1121; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 67; Image: 70.

    4. [S361] 1930 United States Federal Census, Ancestry.com, (Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002.Original data - United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626,;), Year: 1930; Census Place: Columbus, Franklin, Ohio; Roll: 1794; Page: 20A; Enumeration District: 22; Image: 211.0; FHL microfilm: 2341528.
      Birth date: abt 1919 Birth place: Ohio Residence date: 1930 Residence place: Columbus, Franklin, Ohio
      1930 United States Federal Census
      1930 United States Federal Census


    5. [S508] Social Security Death Index, Ancestry.com, (Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011.Original data - Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration.Original data: Social Security Administration. Social Security ;), Issue State: Ohio; Issue Date: Before 1951.

    6. [S1485] Summit County, Ohio, Marriage Records, 1840-1980, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.;).
      Summit County, Ohio, Marriage Records, 1840-1980
      Summit County, Ohio, Marriage Records, 1840-1980


    7. [S33] Ohio, County Marriages, 1774-1993, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.;).
      Ohio, County Marriages, 1774-1993
      Ohio, County Marriages, 1774-1993


    8. [S195] 1940 United States Federal Census, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.;), Year: 1940; Census Place: Columbus, Franklin, Ohio; Roll: m-t0627-03242; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 93-67.
      1940 United States Federal Census
      1940 United States Federal Census


    9. [S214] 1920 United States Federal Census, Ancestry.com, (Name: Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2010;;), location inferred. Family lived in the same house for many years.

    10. [S157] Marvin Bonowitz, 1919.

    11. [S582] Social Security Death Index, (Name: Name: Ancestry.com. Social Security Death Index [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011.;;), 1918, confirmed by Laurie Levinson (Reliability: 2).

    12. [S509] SSDI, 1918, confirmed by Laurie Levinson.

    13. [S4635] Marvin Bonowitz, 1919 (Reliability: 2).

    14. [S1208] Ohio Marriage Records.

    15. [S101] Ontario Birth Records, for Helen.

    16. [S1208] Ohio Marriage Records, record for goldie.

    17. [S101] Ontario Birth Records, for Helen (Reliability: 3).

    18. [S15] Obituary, Akron beacon journal, 6/15/09.

    19. [S661] Ohio County Marriages.

    20. [S686] United States Obituary Collection, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc;), Newspaper: Akron Beacon Journal; Publication Date: 15 6 2009; Publication Place: Akron, OH, USA.