SHIRLEY SCHOENHOLTZ

Shirley Celender Schoenholtz, 93, of Silver Spring, MD passed away peacefully on July 17, 2024. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will be remembered fondly by family and friends. 

Shirley was born in East Lyme, CT in 1931, the daughter of the late Rose Bloom and John Robinson, and step-daughter of the late David Celender. 

Shirley was raised in Wilkes Barre and was a 1949 graduate of G.A.R. High School in Wilkes Barre. She married the love of her life, Irving Schoenholtz in 1953. After his service in the Korean War, they settled in Kingston, PA and went into the family dress manufacturing business, Eastern Sportswear/Wilkes-Barre Apparel. Together they raised three children and were devoted members of Temple Israel and the Jewish Community Center in Wilkes Barre.

Shirley worked for many years at Pomeroy’s Department Store, Irving’s Bagels in State College, PA, and the Jewish Community Center in Wilkes Barre. She loved the JCC and saw to it that her four grandchildren all attended Camp Nagila as part of their summertime visits with “Grams” and “Pop” in Kingston. 

Shirley was dedicated to personal fitness. For most of her adult life and well into her 70s, she could be found jogging or walking her “five miles” on a route that took her over the Market Street Bridge and back to Kingston via the Pierce Street Bridge.

Shirley was preceded in death by her father John Robinson, mother Rose Bloom Celender, step-father David Celender, and husband Irving. 

Surviving are her three children Dr. Stephen Schoenholtz (Gloria), Karen Schoenholtz, and Lynn Vayer (Josh), four grandchildren Noah Schoenholtz (Alexandra), Zachary Schoenholtz (Kailey), Victoria Vayer, and Benjamin Vayer (Elizabeth), and four great-grandchildren Hannah, Ava, Charlie, and Millie, and many nieces and nephews, including Jack and David Schoenholtz with whom she was very close. She is also survived by her half-sister Bernice Celender Leibman, brother-in-law Murray Schoenholtz, and sisters-in-law Jean Schoenholtz and Merial Schoenholtz. 

Funeral service will be conducted on Sunday, July 21, 2024 at 10:00 am from the Rosenberg Funeral Chapel, Inc. 348 S. River Street, Wilkes-Barre with interment in Temple Israel Cemetery, 212 Dennison Street, in Swoyersville.

Shirley’s family extends sincere thanks to the kind and caring staff at Bedford Court Senior Living Community in Silver Spring, Maryland, where Shirley most recently resided.

Arrangements will be made by Rosenberg Funeral Chapel, Wilkes-Barre.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Shirley’s honor to the Wilkes Barre Jewish Community Center or to a charity of your choice.

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