Obituary of Dysia Sonenreich

Dysia Sonenreich passed away peacefully on June 23, 2024, at the age of 93, surrounded by all of her children and her loving family. Born March 10, 1931, in Chelm, Poland, to Yisruel Leib Beker and Faiga Beker, Dysia’s early life was marked by unimaginable hardships of the Holocaust, but her indomitable spirit saw her through, leading her to the joy of building a life of love, devotion to G-d, children, friends, and support of many causes.

At only eight, Dysia witnessed the Nazi occupation of Chelm. Her father led the family’s escape to the Soviet Union, where he was later arrested and never seen again. The family endured the bitter conditions of forced labor camps, hunger, sickness, and relentless cold, until liberation in 1945.

In 1948, Dysia married Moshe Sonenreich, and while the rest of her family immigrated to Israel, Dysia and Moshe bravely chose their own path with their 19-month-old child, settling in Denver, Colorado, in 1951.

Conversant in six languages, Dysia refused to let the past deter her, and together with Moshe, raised four children, built several businesses that continue to thrive, remained faithful to her Orthodox roots, traveled extensively, was ruthless at cards, loved speaking and teaching Yiddish, and remained a steadfast supporter of Israel. Although Moshe passed away in 1988, Dysia continued to live independently, embodying the strength forged in her youth, and even lived to see the Bar Mitzvah of a great grandchild

Dysia was preceded in death by her husband Moshe, her father and mother Yisruel and Faiga Beker, her baby sister Minda, her sister Rachel Faskovicz, and her brother Shmuel Beker; and is survived by her children: Molly and the late Mort Hoffman, Izzy and wife Peri Greenstein Sonenreich, Frieda and Rick Bernheim, Marvin and fiancé Jennifer Hix; grandchildren: Robin and Darren Melameth, Sara and Jonathan Morris, Allison and Justin Andress, Max and Amanda Sands, Aviva and Josh Sonenreich, Lauren Kashuk, and Nathaniel and David Bernheim; great-grandchildren: Shia, Aden, Noa, Sadie, Lucy, Samuel, and Harrison; her brother, Yonah Beker and extended family (in Israel); and her loving caregivers.

A Chapel Service in honor of Dysia will be held Tuesday, June 25, 2024; 10:00am at BMH-BJ Congregation. Service will be livestreamed via Feldman Mortuary's YouTube channel. Interment to follow at Mount Nebo Cemetery. The family requests donations be made to the BMH-BJ, the Chabad Jewish Center of South Metro Denver, Magen David Adom, and/or the Jewish National Fund. 

Shiva will be held at the home of Molly Hoffman: 6620 E. Nevada Place, Denver, CO 80224, on Tuesday 6/25 from 4pm until 8pm, Wednesday 6/26 and Thursday 6/27 from 5pm until 8pm, and Sunday 6/30 from 5pm until 8pm. Minyan each night at 6:45pm.