Martha Lustbader passed away peacefully on November 9th, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. She is survived by her two daughters, Alison Lustbader and Candace Gunnarsson and their husbands George Pfirrmann and Gunnar Gunnarsson; her grandchildren Marissa Gunnarsson and Erik Gunnarsson; and her great-grandson Sonny Gunnarsson Francis.

Martha lived a full and passionate life, building community wherever she went. From the time she left home for the Big Apple at 18, through her years in Newburgh where she was an integral part of the Jewish community—volunteering endlessly for the Jewish Community Center and, in particular, the JCC Dramatic Workshop—to her later years in Florida where she served as president of her Hadassah chapter, Martha was always at the center of things. She played mahjong in weekly games her entire life, a constant thread of joy and connection.

Martha was quick-witted and very funny. Her one-liners will always be remembered with a big chuckle from everyone who knew her. Martha loved deeply—she was an incredibly loving and fierce friend and a supportive mother and grandmother. She will be missed by so many. May her memory always be a blessing to all who knew her.

For those who would like to participate, we are hosting an online Shiva service on Wednesday and Thursday at 6pm Eastern time. Event details are posted below. 

If you would like to honor Martha's memory, please make a donation to her favorite charity the Hadassah Foundation: 

https://www.donate.hadassahfo…

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