Anita Anne Hurwitz
Anita Anne Hurwitz died peacefully at age 95 years on May 19, 2026, in Boca Raton, Florida, with family by her side, after bravely battling illness for seven weeks.
Anita was born on March 15, 1931, in Lewistown, Pa. She graduated from Lewistown High School in 1949. Although Anita enjoyed her Gregg shorthand skills, she also loved working at her aunt’s dress store. Anita married Alfred Hurwitz (1/15/1929 – 12/18/2010) of Philipsburg, Pa., on March 30, 1952, and moved to Philipsburg, Pa. where Alfred was managing the Hurwitz Hardware Store. They had two children, Fran Hurwitz and then 5 years later, Irv Hurwitz .
Anita’s greatest joy in life was being a mother and then a grandmother. She cherished her grandchildren and frequently made trips to Paoli, Pa. to visit the twins, Sam and Rachel, or to Pittsburgh, Pa. to visit Ana. Anita enjoyed baking the children’s favorite cookies and she enjoyed perfecting delicious holiday meals for the extended family. She was known for her large dessert trays! She loved watching cooking shows, QVC and musical competition shows, such as The Voice. She read the newspaper daily; and then became an avid reader of biographies ordered in large print, as she had become blind in one eye.
Anita left the cold mountain air and moved to sunny Lake Worth, Florida, in August of 2014, to be closer to her family; but, her heart was always in Pennsylvania too, and she continued to follow Penn State football! Anita’s love for flowers and gardening continued to bloom in Florida and she was amazed how easily the flowers grew in the Florida climate!
Anita was a member of the Sons of Israel Synagogue, Philipsburg, Pa. until it closed in the early 1990s. She then joined the Agudath Achim Congregation, Altoona,Pa., to be with her family there. After her move to Florida, she was a member of Temple Beth Kodesh, Boynton Beach, Florida for several years. When her health declined, she loved watching online Rabbi Angela Buchdahl of Central Synagogue, New York, NY.
She is survived by her daughter, Fran Hurwitz, Lake Worth, Fla. ( previously in Pittsburgh,Pa.); her daughter in-law, Janet Leight Hurwitz, Paoli, Pa., who was the perfect wife for Irv, their twins, Rachel Ann Hurwitz and Samuel Mark Hurwitz/Kathryn and her third grandchild Ana Julia Hurwitz; her sister-in law, Marjorie Hurwitz/the late Edsel Hurwitz; and two of her late sister Sylvia’s daughters, Reva Feldman and Elaine/Alan Wolkoff who gave ongoing support. She is survived by nieces, nephews and cousins of several generations; and she appreciated their updates. Although the long list their names is not included here; they were very important to her.
Anita was a devoted wife to Alfred Hurwitz who died at age 83 years on December 18, 2010, after 7 years of dialysis. She was also preceded in death by her two beloved sisters, Sylvia Schulman of Altoona, Pa. and Thelma Levy, of Punxsutawney, Pa.; along with her niece, Marcia Schulman and her brother-in-law, Edsel Hurwitz, Alfred’s brother.
Anita was also preceded in death by her cherished son, Irv Hurwitz, who died at the young age of 62 years on June 28, 2022, after a valiant fight with cancer. During his illness, he modeled exemplary courage, strength, and selflessness, which has been an inspiration for his family. Anita was helped greatly during her challenges by her son’s example, and his sister Fran feels his inspiration every day .
Anita wanted to express her heartfelt gratitude to Elaine Wolkoff, Roz Kreshin, Mandler Sarkees and Leemor Dotan Green for their vital support during these past four years. Thank you for your boundless compassion.
A private family graveside funeral service was held on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the Sons of Israel Congregation Cemetery, Philipsburg, Pa.; and was officiated by Rabbi David Ostrich of Congregation Brit Shalom, State College, Pa. A small unveiling ceremony to formally dedicate the headstone will tentatively take place in the Spring of 2027, for friends and family to honor Anita’s life.
Memorial contributions may be made in Anita’s memory to one of the following congregations, Congregation Brit Shalom, General Fund, 620 E. Hamilton Avenue, State College, Pa. 16801, 814-238-4611, admin@britshalomstatecollege.org, Agudath Achim Congregation, General Fund, 1306 17th. Street, Altoona, Pa. 16601, 814-944-5317, office.aac@verizon.net or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Philipsburg, Pa. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.beezerheathfh.com.
