Russian emigre Sofya Goldvarg rites held

SOFYA GOLDVARG, part of a wave of Jewish emigres from the Soviet Union to move to New Orleans, passed away peacefully at home on June 22, 2025 surrounded by her loved ones. She was 89.

SOFYA GOLDVARG

Born in Belarus, she spent the first half of her life in Moscow, and then immigrated to the United States as a refugee with her family in 1980.

Sofya will be remembered for her unwavering strength and resilience as she overcame adversity and hardship throughout so much of her life. Her family and loved ones will deeply miss her fierce yet gentle nature and insistence on keeping everyone who entered her home well-fed.

She is survived by her sister, Yelena, her three children Natasha, Inna, and Paul, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A funeral service was held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 1:00pm at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home.  Congregation Gates of Prayer Rabbi David Gerber officiated. Interment followed in Metairie Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gates of Prayer Synagogue.