Anne Frances Levitt

Anne Frances Blindman Levitt passed away on January 9, 2013. The third of six children, Anne was born April 22, 1914, to the late Frank and Rose Blindman and was raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in social work. Anne married Samuel Levitt in 1936. They lived in Minneapolis until moving to Jonesboro in 1954 when her husband Sam and her brothers Joe and Abe Blindman established Southern Wooden Box Company, manufacturers of wooden soda crates. Anne lived in Jonesboro from 1954 until 2006 when she moved to Cherry Hill, New Jersey, to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Raleigh and Barry Seliger.

In her years in Jonesboro, Anne was very active and involved in Temple Israel. On Friday nights she played the organ during services, and on the High Holy Days she organized and led the choir, singing not only with the choir, but also singing solos. Anne and Sam taught Hebrew to the children of the congregation. Anne was treasurer of the Temple Israel Sisterhood. In addition to those commitments, Anne was part owner of a needlepoint store, The Needlepoint Place, in Jonesboro for a number of years. She was a regular volunteer at St. Bernard’s Hospital. Anne was an avid bridge player and competed nationally at a Master Level. She was a member of the Jonesboro Country Club where she enjoyed playing golf. While living in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Anne most enjoyed playing with and being entertained by her great-grandchildren.

Anne and Sam were married nearly 45 years before he passed away in 1981. They raised two children, traveled to New York, Europe, Israel, and Alaska among other places, and enjoyed opera together, touring opera houses throughout Europe. Anne was known for her spirited personality, keen sense of humor, ability to see the good in all, desire to give and to help, and knowledge and acts of tradition in her home and at Temple Israel.

She is survived by daughter and son-in-law Raleigh and Barry Seliger and her son Neil Levitt; grandchildren Sarah Seliger and Ari Handwerger, Lisa Seliger and Jeremy Keenan, Aaron and Anna Seliger, Emma Levitt, and Jesse Levitt; and great-grandchildren, Naomi and Liora Handwerger, Benjamin and Oliver Keenan, and Charlotte, Daphne, and Clark Seliger. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews of whom she was very, very fond.

Visitation will be Sunday from 12:30 until service time at Temple Israel in Jonesboro.

Service will start at 1:30 on Sunday at Temple Israel with burial to follow at Temple Israel Cemetery. Emerson Funeral Home will be in charge of all arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials to Cooper University Hospital Trauma Center--Education and Research, Cooper University Hospital, One Cooper Plaza, Camden, NJ 08103; Temple Israel c/o B. Weinstock, 208 Wilkins, Jonesboro, AR 72401; or Congregation M’kor Shalom Choir, 850 Evesham Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003.