Risa Igelfeld

Risa “Amazing” Igelfeld passed away peacefully on August 10, 2026, just a few months before her 109th birthday. She was 108¾ years old.

To describe Risa’s life as extraordinary would be an understatement. She lived through more than a century of history, survived unimaginable loss and adversity, and still chose to greet life with gratitude, humor, music, and an unwaveringly positive spirit.

 

Risa lost her mother to the Spanish flu when she was only 10 months old. From the very beginning, life demanded strength from her. She later survived the Holocaust and lived through a world marked by war, danger, upheaval, and profound change. Yet she refused to allow hardship to make her bitter. Her strength was not simply measured by what she survived, but by the joy, love, and hope she continued to give to others.

 

Risa’s philosophy was simple but powerful:

“Always think positive thoughts and shoo the negative thoughts away.”

 

She would also say, “If I can change it, I will. If I cannot change it, I accept it and move on.”

 

These were not merely words to Risa. They were the principles by which she lived. No matter what happened, she looked for something beautiful, something meaningful, or a blessing she could count.

 

Risa was a gifted pianist and accordion player whose life was filled with music. Music brought her comfort, happiness, and connection throughout her lifetime. Whether she was playing an instrument, singing, listening to someone perform, or sharing music with the people she loved, it spoke directly to her heart. Even during her final days, music continued to reach her in ways that words could not.

 

Risa met her husband, Gershon, at a friend’s home. Their story began with youth, bicycles, adventure, and the promise of building a life together. They created a family and became the parents of two beloved children, David and Ruthie.

 

Later in life, Risa was reunited with Heinzi, affectionately known as Ralph, who was also from Vienna. Their shared history and values created a beautiful connection. Risa retired at the age of 84 so they could travel and enjoy life together. They laughed, sang, explored the world, and created precious memories. Risa often described Ralph as the love of her life.

 

Risa experienced the devastating losses of her daughter, Ruthie; her son, David; and Ralph within a relatively short period of time. These losses would have broken many people, but Risa continued to live with courage. She carried those she loved in her heart and continued to choose life, connection, and gratitude.

 

At the age of 93, Risa was involved in a serious moped accident. Doctors feared she would not survive, but her son David knew better. He told them, “You don’t know my mother.”

He was right.

Risa recovered and lived for another 15 remarkable years. She did not simply survive, she continued to love, laugh, travel, enjoy music, connect with others, and inspire everyone fortunate enough to meet her.

 

Risa had an exceptional sense of humor and a gift for making people smile. Throughout her life, people constantly told her that she was amazing. Eventually, she decided that “Amazing” must be her middle name. When someone called her amazing, she would playfully respond, “How did you know that’s my middle name?”

From then on, she became known to so many as Risa Amazing Igelfeld, and no name could have suited her better.

 

Risa deeply loved her family, but the bond she shared with her grandson, Adam, held an especially precious place in her heart. Adam was the light of her life. Her face would brighten when she saw him, and the love between them was undeniable.

 

One of the family’s most profound final memories occurred while their dear friend Gregg played guitar at Risa’s bedside. As he sang “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” Risa moved her hand from beneath the blanket and reached outward. Adam took his grandmother’s hand and held it. It was a quiet, powerful moment filled with three things that defined Risa’s life: family, love, and music.

 

Risa also experienced an unforgettable evening when her friend Corey Feldman honored her during his concert. He brought her onstage, held her hand, and sang to her as the audience chanted her name. Risa felt like a queen. Afterward, she said it had been the best night ever and expressed how incredibly happy she was. It was one of the final great celebrations of her extraordinary life.

 

Risa had a special ability to make people feel connected to her. She was colorful, joyful, spirited, funny, loving, strong, and unforgettable. She enjoyed people, welcomed new experiences, and never believed that age should determine how fully someone could live.

 

Her long life was not free from pain. It was filled with challenges most people could scarcely imagine. Yet Risa made a conscious decision, again and again, to choose beauty over bitterness, joy over fear, gratitude over resentment, and love over despair.

That is her legacy.

 

Risa was lovingly cared for during the final chapter of her life by devoted family members, especially, her daughter in law, Aviva and caregivers.

The family is deeply grateful to everyone who treated her with kindness, dignity, patience, and love.

 

Risa was preceded in death by her beloved husband Gershon; her partner Ralph “Heinzi”; her daughter Ruthie; and her son David.

 

She leaves behind her beloved grandson Adam; her devoted daughter-in-law Aviva; extended family members; cherished friends; caregivers; and countless people whose lives were forever changed by knowing her.

 

Although Risa lived for 108¾ years, no amount of time could ever feel long enough to those who loved her. Her passing leaves an enormous space in the hearts of her family and friends, but her wisdom, humor, strength, and joyful spirit will live on through every person she inspired.

 

To honor Risa is to live as she lived:

Think positive thoughts.Shoo the negative ones away.Accept what cannot be changed.Count your blessings.Fill your life with love, laughter, color, and music.And no matter what happens, keep choosing joy.

 

Risa was not merely someone who lived for more than a century. She showed us how to truly live.

She was our Queen Risa.She was resilient.She was deeply loved.She was and always will be Amazing.

 

Risa will be laid to rest on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at Mount Sinai Memorial Parks and Mortuaries.

 

In honor of Risa’s vibrant and joyful spirit, those attending are asked to wear bright colors, anything but black. Risa loved color, happiness, people, and music, and her family wishes for her final journey to reflect the beautiful light she brought into the world.

May her memory forever be a blessing.