Edith Ressler

Edith "Suzy" Ressler (nee Czitrom), age 93, a Holocaust survivor who established a successful food business, died peacefully on Saturday July 3, 2021. She leaves her daughter Katherine Israeli and husband Joseph; grandchildren Lisa Isaacs and husband Daniel, David Israeli and wife Lori, Michael Israeli and wife Hillary, and Emily Cohen and husband Ted. She also leaves thirteen great-grandchildren- Jacob, Naomi, Eve, Lilah, Graham, Tali, Mae, Eliana, Ayla, Janie, Zachary, Xander, and Zoe.
She was preceded in death by her husband Emerich Ressler in 2004.

Suzy was born and lived in Oradea, Romania (also called Nagyvarad during years the city was part of Hungary) until 1944, when at the age of 16, she and other Jews in the city were deported to the concentration camp Auschwitz and later Stutthof. After surviving along with her mother, Suzy returned home and soon married Emerich. However, with the Soviet occupation of Romania, they were forced to escape into Austria, and then finally to the United States, along with their infant daughter.

In 1954, the Resslers started delivering Suzy's home-cooked chopped liver to stores in Philadelphia, and thus was born Mrs. Ressler's Food Products. Suzy, now Mrs. Ressler, was instrumental in driving the growth and success of her company and was a true pioneer businesswoman in her field. Today Mrs. Ressler's is a three generation family-run business still based in Philadelphia that produces beef and poultry deli products sold throughout the country.

However, nothing made Suzy more happy and proud than to see the growing generations of her family that have followed her, especially after losing most of her extended family in the Holocaust.

Throughout her life Suzy supported many charities both locally and in Israel.

Relatives and friends are invited to graveside services Monday, July 5, 12 PM at Haym Salomon Memorial Park, 200 Moores Road, Malvern, PA 19355. Shiva will be observed at the late residence Monday through Wednesday, 5:30 PM to 8 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Perelman Jewish Day School (www.pjds.org) or Philadelphia Holocaust Memorial Plaza (www.philaholocaustmemorial.org).

Arrangements made by Joseph Levine & Sons
www.levinefuneral.com