Spoken during the funeral service by Rabbi Nathan Blumes, Brooklyn New York, Cheshvan 5773, October 2012

When one passes away, it is a time when all their accomplishments, good deeds and acts of kindness culminates, reaching a climax. These acts of kindness are what carry them from this world to the next.
 
But today, I am at loss for words, not that there is not what to say but, there is so much to say - so much Carol has done. I am at a loss for words because of the greatness of this tragedy that we are all feeling today.  I too have deep pain. I too have questions without answers. I too am at a loss for adequate words of comfort and consolation.
 
But one thing comes to mind that needs to be said, and needs to be brought to light.
 
Carol comes from good stock - the best a community has to offer of a Jewish family, a Jewish mother.
 
The Jewish people, Am Yisroel is made up of families. The shvatim, the 12 tribes each were a family, an extended family.
 
The core, the very fiber of a family is the mother, as the Torah tells us, the woman is called Akeres Habayis, the main, integral player, the very foundation of the home, and of the family.
 
And this is where Carol comes from - from the best, the most beautiful, the most pious, a true yiddeshe mama.
 
Our elder Bubbeh, Zlata Luffman, was a woman of great piety. The traditions and values were ingrained in her and were a part of her very being.
 
Our Bubby Luffman, Sarah Luffman, was a true Bubby in every sense of the word. She lived her life for her family. Her greatest pleasure was when the family sat around the table at the shabbos dinners, every Friday night and every Yom Tov. Without a doubt, it was from Bubby Luffman where we learnt about family, and where we felt most together. Carol had a most unique and close relationship with our Bubby, and she gave her the greatest respect.
 
Robbie and Carol gave their daughter a most beautiful gift, they gave Sari the privilege of carrying on our Bubby Sarah’s special name.
 
And our dear Molly was Carol’s mother. Molly's Hebrew name was Malka - a Queen. And she was a true queen, both in beauty, in royalty - regal in her ways and demeanor. Yet Molly was also full of heart, kindness and chesed. Molly wore the crown, and then passed that crown down to Carol.
 
Carol inherited and had in her all these traits, plus many of her own. Carol symbolized the epitome of the Jewish nation, of the Jewish family - the best a woman can be.
 
Carol spent her last days, and final moments, in her home, with her family and friends at her side, as per her last wishes, which Robbie carried out with great devotion.
 
She entered this world in dem shensten vehg, in a most beautiful atmosphere of warmth, love, tradition and family, and, she departed this world surrounded by those she loved, and with a pure heart and soul.
 
Coming from New York today I saw the rivers and the ocean overflow and I thought how many rivers could have been filled with the tears we shed of pain and anguish for the loss of Carol.

Just look in this synagogue now and one can see how many people Carol touched and how many tears are shed.
 
But, as we count those tears, we must also count the tears of those already departed and in higher world, Hershy, Molly, Hymie, Bubby and Zeide Luffman, Saul and Claire Leszcz, and so many others. Too many departed souls who cry and share in our pain and our loss.
 
These rivers of tears, should be taken up high, to the Kissai Hakavod, the Heavely Throne, to the Al-mighty Himself, with just one prayer. A prayer that these tears should be changed to tears of joy and nachas, so that Robbie, Sari and Ben should never have to know of any more tza'ar. Those in heaven should intercede on their behalf to see to it that their lives should from now on be full of nachas, simchas and great accomplishments.
 
I wish to conclude with an incident that occurred to a family in the Crown Heights, Brooklyn community. Unfortunately, the family lost their mother at a young age, and left many children orphaned. After the shiva period, they each had a chance to share a moment with the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Schneerson. As one of the younger daughters passed by, she told the Rebbe, not as a question, not out of anger, but simply what was on her heart. She told the Rebbe that she misses her mother. The Rebbe with his keen wisdom, and gentle caring eyes replied that her mother is now in heaven, looking down at her every day, and watching all her good deeds and achievements she is doing here in this world.
 
So too, Carol will surely watch over her family from above, and she, with her bright and beautiful smile, will kvell nachas, as her family and all us here accomplish great things, and continue in her great ways.