May 27, 1924—September 15, 2013
Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister-in-law, and friend to many in the Jewish and general community, Libby passed away in her home September 15, 2013.
This past July Libby experienced the great joy of accompanying her grandson Matt down the aisle at his wedding; she fully expected to participate in the wedding of her grandson Marcus later in September. This marks the fifth generation of the Goldfarb and Epstein families residing in Seattle.
Born in Seattle to Fanny (Feygel) Weinstein of Winnipeg, Manitoba and Romanian immigrant Mike (Mikael) Goldfarb, on May 27, 1924, Libby grew up in the Central District, then the heart of the Jewish neighborhood. During High Holidays, Libby would stroll with her friends from synagogue to synagogue, visiting and socializing. She was enrolled in the nearby Talmud Torah for religious instruction. Her grandparents, Joshua and Libby Weinstein, were members of Bikur Cholim Synagogue and are buried in the old Bikur Cholim Cemetery. Libby’s two older brothers, Kiva and Itzy Goldfarb, preceded her in death.
After graduating from Garfield High School in 1942, Libby met Herb Epstein. Their ensuing marriage was an enduring and loving relationship that successfully intertwined business and home, only ending 58 years later with her husband’s death in 2002. Since Libby’s and Herb’s parents lived in the Central District, they provided a close-knit family that celebrated simchas and lifecycle events together. Libby also had many Sephardic friends and adopted the cuisine: Quajado became one of her go-to dishes for family cooperative dinners.
As business partners, Libby worked by her husband’s side, often handling the front end of the business, Mirrolike Photo Service and later Film Stop. She fully participated in business decisions and was respected — sought after — for her common sense. Known and admired for the effusive greeting when customers, new and old, walked in the door, Libby was a cornerstone of the company. The couple’s two sons, Steve, born in 1945, and Gene, born in 1948, grew up in the family business. At its height, Film Stop consisted of five one-hour processing labs and five portrait studios around the Seattle metro area.
Besides working hard in the business, Libby entertained at home, hosting card games and social events for friends and extended family (who were often the same). As the business grew, she and her husband attended industry conventions and vacationed in Europe and the Middle East. She enjoyed local culture: Matinees at Seattle Pops, Seattle Rep and Village Theatre, and attended first-run films. Shopping at Nordstrom with her granddaughter was a favorite activity, for Libby was a fashionable dresser; in later years, a chai latte from Starbucks at the south end of Mercer Island became an expected afternoon ritual. She enjoyed dining out and expected good service. A few weeks before her death, she thoroughly enjoyed a meal at a local Persian restaurant and insisted on staying for the entertainment.
Libby will be much missed by her friends in the Group Fitness program at the Stroum JCC, which she faithfully attended for many years. She participated in the plethora of senior programs and luncheons offered by the community and was a member of City of Hope. Libby and her husband held memberships at Herzl-Ner Tamid and Temple De Hirsch Sinai. The family lived in the Seward Park area before Libby and Herb bought a home on Mercer Island’s south end in the 1960s.
Libby leaves her sons Steve (Charlene), Gene (Linnea), grandchildren Marcus, Marnie, Matt and Margaret, sisters-in-law Irene Epstein and Muriel Epstein, many nieces, nephews, cousins and so many friends who were touched by her generosity, brilliant smile and innate ability to make every person in her path feel special. Libby also leaves her beloved Yorkie, Bella.
Burial services were held at Herzl Memorial Park on September 18.
Please make donations in memory of Libby Epstein to the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Stroum Jewish Community Center, Group Health Foundation, or the charity of your choice. May her memory be a blessing.