Elly Doff

January 25, 1925 - June 21, 2022

Elly Doff sadly passed away on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at her home in New Port Richey at the age of 97. Predeceased by her husband, Bernard Doff, she is survived by her three daughters (Susan, Debra and Melissa) and four grandchildren (Jason, David, Lily and Aubrey). A Holocaust survivor, Elly was born in Hamburg, Germany before starting a new life in the United States. Settling in Brooklyn, New York, she graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School at the age of 16, going on to Columbia University and the University of Connecticut, where she met her future husband Bernie, a handsome Jewish boy from New Haven. By 1941, it was war time and he enlisted in the U.S. Infantry. Upon his safe return to the United States in 1945, Elly and Bernie married, living in New England and New Jersey prior to retiring in Florida. At a time when “a woman’s place was in the home,” Elly chose to have a career with Bernie’s full respect and support. With multiple Master’s degrees, Elly’s dedication to public school teaching was in keeping with the foundation of education stressed by her parents decades earlier. She later switched gears and began a new career in management, working for the State of New Jersey, where she was elected to serve as a shop steward in her labor union to represent and defend the interests of fellow employees. Even in her religious life, Elly was a feminist and fought for women’s inclusion in the “men’s section” both in the sanctuary and in synagogue leadership. Over the years, Elly became progressively “more progressive” as she witnessed rising social injustice and inequality in this country. A member of the Democratic Party, she was a long-time advocate for women’s rights and liked to say that “women’s rights are human rights,” even before the phrase caught on. She staunchly believed that health care is the right of every citizen in the United States, saying that even in 1930’s Germany there was universal health care for all. Standing firmly behind Roe v. Wade as one of the cornerstones to women’s equality, Elly was a lifelong champion of a woman’s right to choose an abortion and supported multiple reproductive rights organizations. She was also deeply committed to the protection of civil rights and voting rights in this country. Believing in equality for all, Elly was always a proud ally of the LGBTQ+ community. Loved and adored by all who met her, Elly’s positive attitude, infectious smile, sharp wit, educated mind, ethical values, and love of life was evident in everything and everyone she touched. She loved family and friends, but adored her pets and backyard ducks, especially her beloved Maine Coon cat Mitzi who recently predeceased her. Elly traveled the world, dined at the best restaurants, and always sat in the orchestra section at the many shows and concerts she attended, be it theater, symphony, or jazz. Her favorite singer was Tony Bennett and her favorite Broadway show was Fiddler on the Roof, knowing all of the music by heart. Although her daughter Melissa lived with her, Elly took care of herself until the very last day of her life, not relying on a walker and always closely following the day’s news on television. Though she will be deeply missed, her memories will live on forever in everyone she touched. In lieu of flowers, Elly requested that donations be made to Temple Ahavat Shalom or to Planned Parenthood of Southwest Central Florida. (Please mark your donations in memory of Elly Doff) Please click the link to donate to Temple Ahavat Shalom: https://www.ahavatshalom.org/track.php?id=e2cd006805284f82ba7af0f3f37ee629&color=b3b3b5&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ahavatshalom.org%2Fpayment.php&h=0e34a Please click the link to donate to Planned Parenthood of Southwest Central Florida: https://www.ahavatshalom.org/track.php?id=e2cd006805284f82ba7af0f3f37ee629&color=b3b3b5&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.plannedparenthood.org%2Fplanned-parenthood-southwest-central-florida&h=bed93