Obituary: Sonia Fishkin
Sonia Fishkin, 66, died March 23, 2021, after a seven-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
Sonia’s identity was forged in Brooklyn, N.Y., where she was born, raised and went to college. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and a favorite early job involved the regulation and enforcement of securities law in New York City. In 1986, she moved south to join Andy, who had begun working at Georgia Tech. As an Atlanta lawyer, she was most proud of her work as the general counsel of a medical device company. In 2010, she combined her legal skills with her people skills and launched what became a successful and satisfying second career as a residential real estate agent.
Throughout her life, Sonia was very involved in a variety of advocacy, professional and community organizations. As the daughter of Holocaust survivors, she took a strong interest in Holocaust history and educational programming. In Atlanta, that interest focused first on the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust and then on The Breman Museum, particularly its Weinberg Center for Holocaust Education.
Her activities at Ahavath Achim Synagogue were particularly rich. These included singing in the choir, teaching Torah study, participating in chavurot, and chanting the haftorah at high holiday services.
Everyone who knew Sonia was struck by her strong will, deep intelligence, insistent curiosity, infectious enthusiasm, enormous smile and resounding laugh. A fundamentally joyful human being, Sonia was never happier than when she was dancing at a simcha or singing in one of the many choirs and choral groups she graced over the years.
She is survived by her husband Andrew Zangwill; daughter Hannah (Seth Adams); and grandson Ezra. She is also survived and remembered with love by her brother David, niece Dana, many other dear relatives on both sides of her family, and countless friends who helped support her and her family through her illness.
Contributions to honor the memory of Sonia Fishkin can be made to the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum (Holocaust education), Ahavath Achim Synagogue, Jewish Family and Career Services, Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse, and the Weinstein Hospice.
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