Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Mrs. Sheila Loretta Friedman Reback passed away on June 7, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Cortland, New York, on June 7, 1942, to the late John & Norma (Cohen) Friedman. She and her husband moved to the Orlando area in 1979 from Syracuse, New York.

Mrs. Reback is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Gerald Harvey Reback, of Altamonte Springs, Florida; her devoted children, Ariella (Rabbi Edward Bernstein) Reback of Boynton Beach, Florida; Danielle (Dr. Harel) Deutsch of Chicago, Illinois; Jeff (Marni Schwartz) Reback of New York, New York; Howard Trachtman of Waltham, Massachusetts; and her beloved grandchildren - Sam Bernstein, Noam Bernstein, Esther Bernstein, Eli Reback, Josh Reback, Sarah Reback, Ilana Deutsch, Zachary Deutsch, Aiden Deutsch. Mrs. Reback's brother, Arthur Friedman, and sister, Gladys Paulin, predeceased.

 Professionally, Mrs. Reback was a special education teacher in New York and Florida. She earned an undergraduate degree at SUNY Buffalo State University and her masters at SUNY Geneseo. Upon retirement, Sheila and Jerry Reback traveled in their RV to nearly every state and Canada. They enjoyed trekking to national parks, local museums, nature preserves and farm stands. Sheila and Jerry regularly visited children, grandchildren, friends and relatives on their travels.

Throughout her life, Sheila quilted extensively and gifted these works of art to family and friends. She maintained extensive flower gardens and was a knowledgeable birder. Sheila, along with Gladys Paulin, endlessly researched family genealogy and took a particular interest in taking oral histories. Sheila served as an Al-Anon sponsor to many who also became lifelong friends. Sheila always found time to connect with her grandchildren by sending postcards to them as young children and texting with them as teens.

Funeral Services were held in the Pavilion of Congregation Ohev Shalom Cemetery with Rabbi Edward Bernstein officiating.  May her memory always be a blessing.

Family requests that memorial donations be made to the following: Vitas Community Connection, 255 East Fifth Street, Suite 1200, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 and Congregation Ohev Shalom, 613 Concourse Parkway S., Maitland, Florida 32751. 

Arrangements entrusted to Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel, 933 Lee Road, Suite 101, Orlando FL 32810 407-599-1180.