Obituary of Magda Leuchter

Magda (Shenberg) Leuchter, 85, loving wife, mother and grandmother, philanthropist and community leader, died peacefully after a short illness at her home in Key Biscayne, Florida, on Oct. 14, 2014. She and her late husband, Ben Z. Leuchter, former editor of the Vineland (New Jersey) Times Journal, were widely recognized throughout the country for their dedication to and support of education, civil rights, justice, peaceful conflict resolution and community betterment. He predeceased her in 2001. Magda was born on November 20, 1928, in Wildwood, New Jersey, where she spent a very happy childhood just steps from the Atlantic Ocean. Her late parents, Olga Fein Shenberg and Irving Shenberg, instilled in her a love for art, music, scholarship and social justice. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin in early childhood development in 1949. She met Ben on a blind date in Vineland (where she was visiting her grandparents) on Christmas Eve, 1947, and it was love at first sight. She and Ben were married on August 13, 1950, and Magda quickly settled into a full life in Vineland. She became a member of the Vineland Schools Council in 1958 and was a co-founder of the Ellison School in the early 1960s. She was involved in numerous local and national organizations, including Hadassah and the Women's Council of the Cumberland County Jewish Federation, where she was the founding president. She was especially proud of her leadership as chair of the board of the North American Jewish Students Appeal. She also chaired the board of the Newcomb Medical Center, was president of the board of trustees of the Vineland Public Library and co-founder and chair of the board of trustees of Stockton State College (now known as Richard Stockton College of New Jersey). In 1985, the Vineland Diamond Social Club presented its annual college scholarships in her honor. Magda's legacy of philanthropy and scholarship lives on in the many endowments she bestowed. Magda and Ben moved to Key Biscayne, Florida, in the late 1980's, where they continued their legacy of community activism, civic leadership and philanthropy. Magda's wisdom, courage, vision, leadership, spirit and warmth will be greatly missed by her four daughters, Janet Leuchter (special friend Hal Glicksman), Lisa Leuchter Treister (husband Charles), Sara Leuchter Wilkins (special friend Lionel Segurado), and Miriam Leuchter (special friend Lucio Sorre); two granddaughters, Emily Treister Henson (husband Russell) and Rebecca Treister; foster daughter Dana Garcia, (husband Ephraim Buhks and daughter Jane Buhks); loving nieces and nephews, and many other relatives and friends throughout the country. Friends will be received today Wednesday, October 15 from 1:30pm to 2:30pm followed by a Funeral Service at 2:30 pm at Beth Israel Congregation, 1015 East Park Avenue, Vineland, NJ. Burial will follow in Alliance Cemetery, Norma, NJ. Friends are asked to visit with the Leuchter family at the Hampton Inn, 2134 West Landis Ave., Vineland, following interment. Donations in memory of Magda may be made to: 1. The Jewish Federation, 1015 East Park Avenue, Suite B, Vineland, NJ 08360 2. Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Stanley C. Myers Building, 4200 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33137-3279 3. ALS Recovery Fund, One Grove Isle Drive #1602, Coconut Grove, FL 33133. Arrangements are under the supervision of Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360. To send online condolences please visit our website at WWW.RONEFUNERALSERVICE.COM