Obituary: Arlene Apfel Sukloff

Arlene Apfel Sukloff, of Augusta, Ga., passed away peacefully in her home on June 10, surrounded by family.

She was born on Feb. 22, 1932, and was known for her natural red curly hair and her larger-than-life personality. She never met a stranger. She had impeccable taste and style.

Arlene was born and raised in Queens, New York. She attended Forest Hills High School, The Julliard School and Adelphi University. She could have had a career as an opera singer, but instead met the love of her life, Robert Sukloff, and married at age 17, celebrating a love story that spanned 53 years until ‘Bob’ passed away in 2001.

In 1954, Arlene and Bob moved their young family to Atlanta for Bob’s new job with Davison’s. In 1960, they bought The Heeney Company, a wholesale flower and gift business.

Together they built a thriving business, with Arlene a brilliant self-taught successful business owner. They raised three children who were so fortunate to witness their unique love story. Arlene sang her signature “Sunrise Sunset” song from “Fiddler on the Roof” at all her children’s weddings. She continued to sing locally for many years.

In 2004, Arlene moved to Augusta, Ga., to be closer to her daughter. She enjoyed making new friends and socializing, playing mah-jongg and volunteering at University Hospital, caring for newborns in the maternity ward.

Above all else, Arlene loved her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Sukloff; her brother, Barnett Apfel; her parents, Ethel and Joseph Apfel; and her beloved dog, Emmy. She is survived by her three children, Sid (Janie) Sukloff, Mark (Karen) Sukloff and Bonnie (Elliot) Price. She is survived by 8 grandchildren: Jodi (Jay) Murnick, Jill (Jason) Kaplan, Cindy (Andrew) Ackerman, Lauren (Rob) Austin, Jeff (Yolanda) Sukloff, Amy Price (Rob Kistenberg), Mara (Elan) Zeichner and Jay Price. She is also survived by her 12 great-grandchildren: Jacquelyn, Evan and Taylor Murnick, Jake, Ellie and Ben Kaplan, Halle and Annie Ackerman, Reign and Asher Austin, Ori Kistenberg and Yosi Zeichner.

Graveside services were held on June 12 at Crestlawn Cemetery in Atlanta, with Rabbi Shai Beloosesky officiating from Congregation Children of Israel, Augusta, Ga.