Vanda Shafir's Obituary
At noon on Monday, November 27, 2023, Vanda Shafir died peacefully after a valiant six-month battle against multiple infections and spine surgery.
Vanda left behind her adored, talented (especially, the young ones) multi-generational family...her sister, Leonora Oksenkrug (husband, Alex Oksenkrug), her son, Boris Shapir (wife, Yelena Shapir); Vanda's daughter, Yelena Zacks (husband, Jerry Zacks), Vanda's grandchildren, Arkady Shapir, (fiance, Cassie Kliesch), Catherine Zacks, Dan (Yevgeniy) Nemiro, (wife, Diana Nemiro), Lenny (Leonid) Silverman, (wife, Chelsea Silverman), her step-grandchildren, Eran Zacks (wife, Amy Zacks), Jonathan HLZacks (wife, Megan HLZacks), and great-grandchild, Benjamin Nemiro, and step-great grandchildren, Noa Zacks, Jacob Zacks, Gavriella HLZacks and Shoshana HLZacks.
Vanda was devoted to her family and friends. She spoke Russian, Belarusian, Hebrew and English and was an avid reader, and writer of poetry. She loved to cook... one could not leave her home without a bag of freshly-cooked or baked Vanda creations.
Although full of wisdom, Vanda preferred to listen to those with whom she shared precious moments. She was only interested in sharing the positive side of life...she did not believe in dwelling on the negative. She emigrated, first, to Israel where she lived with her son and his family; later, she immigrated to the United States where she initially lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Yelena, and Jerry; ultimately, she achieved her independence, living in her apartment in Ridgewood, New Jersey.
As I'm writing this obit of Vanda, I'm reclining in the wonderful chair Vanda enjoyed during our recent and final weekend together. We miss Vanda dearly.
Services are private.
Please sign the virtual guestbook located on the tribute page.
What’s your fondest memory of Vanda?
What’s a lesson you learned from Vanda?
Share a story where Vanda's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Vanda you’ll never forget.
How did Vanda make you smile?

