By COLlive reporter
Mrs. Miriam Fellig, a Holocaust survivor and matriarch of a large Chabad family, passed away on Friday, 8 Kislev, 5782.
She was 89.
Miriam was born in the 1930’s to a well-to-do family in Warsaw, Poland. After being sent to the Ghetto with her parents and brother, she survived by spending her days in hiding in a space between the floors of her apartment and the apartment below.
After years of terror, she was finally sent to live with a non-Jewish woman who had been their family’s devoted nanny. Overcoming many challenges, she survived the war, having lost her parents, grandparents, and entire family.
After the war, she was sent to live in a Jewish orphanage in France, and later immigrated to Canada at the age of 16.
In Canada, she met her husband R’ Yosef Fellig, and they settled in Montreal. In later years she lived in Miami, Florida.
Mrs. Fellig merited to have a special connection with the Rebbe. She told how she was so overwhelmed by the Rebbe’s love when she first met him, that she asked the Rebbe to adopt her, and the Rebbe agreed. From then on, Mrs. Fellig would ask the Rebbe for advice about every aspect of her life. The Rebbe gave her much attention and practical advice, she told.
The Rebbe once stopped her ‘complaining’ short by profoundly saying, “don’t be a worrier, be a warrior!” Mrs. Fellig told JEM’s My Encounter.
Mrs. Fellig was known for her energetic, feisty, and resilient nature, and as a devoted mother to her large family.
Her husband passed away in 1991.
She is survived by her children, Rabbi Yaakov Fellig – Coconut Grove, FL.; Hershy Fellig – Montreal; Mendy Fellig – Miami; Chana Silverman – Hallandale, FL; Goldie Tennenhaus – Hallandale, FL; Shulamis Lurie – Hallandale, FL; Shneur Zalman Fellig – Miami; Shlomo Fellig – Miami; Ouli Fellig – Miami.
She was predeceased by her daughter Itty Ainsworth OBM, who perished in the Surfside tragedy in June.
The Levaya will take place Sunday, passing by 770 Eastern Parkway, at 1 PM. Burial at Old Montefiore Cemetery in Queens at 2 PM.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes – Miriam bas Yakov Zusha.
So sorry to hear this news.
Mrs. Fellig was a very special lady. For many years, she used to run “Paper People”, a small business in Miami Beach, Florida. I remember visiting her store with my mother whenever my family was celebrating a birthday or simcha, and we needed big helium balloons.
Boruch Dayan HaEmmes
-Menachem Mendel Harrison
I did not know her, but she must have been a special woman who together with her husband raised a dignified family.
😢😢😢 the Family already lost so much
Heartfelt condolences to the entire Fellig family. I will always remember Mrs Fellig for her feisty personality, outspoken opinions and mischievous smile. Over the years I’ve had the pleasure and honor to teach many many grandchildren and great grandchildren of this illustrious family…all with large personalities and big hearts! May you be comforted.
BDE