Manya Gussack

Manya Gussack, 87, of White Plains, NY, died February 9, 2012 in hospice and family care at the home of her daughter Lisa, surrounded by all of her family.

Manya was born on November 6, 1924, in the Bronx, NY to Isidore and Esther Kanof and was a sister to George and Libby. She married Seymour Gussack in March of 1947 and they had five children by the time they moved to New Rochelle in 1960. Amy, Lisa, Faith, Nina and David were the core and center of Manya's world, and she spent much of her time in her kitchen, a furious center of constant activity, being with her children and their friends, all spinning around her kitchen table. Manya's unique ability to beguile and charm and embrace extended naturally to her daughter-in-law, Snow and to her sons-in-law Kermit, Alan, Robert and Allan. Manya first brought her family to Cape Cod, the place she grew to love more than all others, in the summer of 1959. And now the new generation, Manya's grandchildren, Adam, Sophie Rose, Benjamin, Daniel, Jonathan, Rebecca, Natasha, Jessie and Linda spend their summer vacations at "The Hive", the family house in Eastham. Manya traveled extensively, both on behalf of her husband's international business and particularly for pleasure with her great friend, Belle. Her adopted families in Japan and Israel are mourning her loss as well. Her legion of friends and admirers has grown exponentially over the years and includes three generations. She had the rare ability to walk into any room and galvanize the people there and to be constantly attuned and attentive to the lives and stories of others. In her presence no one ever felt any less than the center of the universe. Her generosity was legendary, her commitment to fun and adventure was unstoppable. And in her latter years, she and Claudette and Nicola, her loving helpers, formed a unit that was happy and fun and full of life. Manya was a true force of nature--a giving, loving, unassuming woman with wisdom and experience and most especially love, to spare and share. There's only one Manya.

If you'd like to remember Manya with a charitable contribution, we would suggest two of her favorites, Beit Hatfutsot, The Museum of the Jewish People (www.bh.org.il/) and Jewish Women International (www.jwi.org)

The memorial service will be at 12 noon on Sunday, the 12th at daughter Lisa's home in White Plains, NY

Shiva will begin Sunday and continue through Wednesday from 1pm-7pm daily with 7:30 pm Minyan also at Lisa's home.