Yvonne Friedman

Yvonne Friedman passed from our lives on September 20, 2022. Married for almost 40 years to Karl Friedman, mother to Jessica and Elena Friedman and brother to Geoffrey Feidelberg, Yvonne led a life of love, friendship, purpose and commitment in which she left an indelible mark on so many.

Born in East Orange, NJ and raised by her mother Stefanie in New York City, Yvonne was a graduate of the City University of NY with a bachelors in Early Childhood Education and a Masters Degree in both Math and French. She spent her first post-college years teaching junior high school science in some of the toughest neighborhoods in New York. In 1978 she took a position as Director of the Child Care Center at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, eventually becoming Chief of Army Community Services at the Academy. At West Point she launched a highly successful career as a Department of the Army Civilian. And it is at West Point that she not only formed a deep and everlasting connection with the US Army and the Academy, but also met her future husband, Karl, when he was a Cadet.

Yvonne and Karl were married in 1983. While Karl was on Active Duty, Yvonne held increasingly responsible positions serving the Army community both overseas in Germany as well as at Fort Lewis, Washington. While serving in Nuremberg, Germany, Yvonne became the Chief of the Family Support Division leading a team of over 700 soldiers and civilians that provided support services to the fourth largest military community outside of the United States. She also designed and built seven state of the art Child Care Centers that became the model for childcare for military families. Most importantly, she welcomed into her family her eldest daughter Jessica. Then, while serving the military community at Fort Lewis Yvonne, Karl, and Jessica welcomed Elena into their family.

As their military career came to an end, Yvonne and Karl moved to Cherry Hill, NJ where Yvonne became the Vice President and Founding Partner of a highly successful insurance brokerage. She did so while also raising her two daughters and leading the Camden County Chapter of Hadassah – A Jewish Women’s Organization dedicated to supporting medical services in Israel and around the world. Her tireless efforts and amazing leadership of over 1400 volunteers raised millions of dollars to support Hadassah.

Through all of these trajectories in Yvonne’s life – whether it was her connection to West Point, her fierce and unconditional love for her family, the leadership she displayed in the Army and for Hadassah, or the care and commitment she provided to thousands of clients, Yvonne has been a source of light, love, admiration and pride for those that know her well.

We will miss your smile, your love, your wisdom and your laugh. May you always be at peace surrounded by those who have gone before you. And may we all aspire to live our lives by the shining example you have been and continue to be.

Relatives and friends are invited Sunday, September 25, 2022 beginning 11:15 am to PLATT MEMORIAL CHAPELS, Inc. 2001 Berlin Road, Cherry Hill, NJ where funeral services will begin promptly at 12:00 noon. The service will also be live streamed at plattmemorial.com.

Contributions in Yvonne's memory can be made to Camden County Hadassah, www.hadassah.org>chapter>camden-county