Rachel Putzrath

Rachel Putzrath (née Hemed), age 94, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 4, 2025, in Richboro, Pennsylvania.

Rachel was born on January 31, 1931, in Willemstad, Curaçao, where she resided for 5 years. Rachel was raised in Jerusalem, Israel, as one of ten children in a devout Orthodox Jewish household. Her early life was shaped by strong family bonds and deep-rooted traditions that remained with her throughout her life. She proudly served in the Israeli Army before immigrating to the United States in 1958. Embracing her new home with determination and grace, Rachel quickly adapted to American life and took great pride in becoming part of its fabric.

In 1959, she married and settled in Philadelphia, where she devoted herself to raising her three daughters as a homemaker. Her love and dedication to her family were unwavering and formed the cornerstone of her life.

Rachel is lovingly remembered by her daughters: Michelle Goldberg (Michael), Judy Sherman (Mark Zlock), and Annette Patchell (Joel Worrell). She was a cherished grandmother to Zacary, Kali, Sara, Cara, Tyler, Sydne, Jeremy, Madison, and Emma; and a proud great-grandmother to Riley and Milo. She is also survived by her sisters Sima Kremer, Shula Ravona, and Margalit Levy.

She was preceded in death by her parents Mazel and Judah Hemed; her sister Esther Levy; and her brothers Yechiel Hemed, Moshe Hemed, Avraham Hemed, Isaac Ben-Yehuda, and Yaakov Hemed.

Rachel was an expert seamstress, sewing clothes out of curtains and random fabrics so her daughters matched. She also found joy in the simple pleasures of life, preparing delicious meals for loved ones, shopping for treasures big and small, and indulging in her favorite television shows. She had a particular fondness for reality TV programs like *90 Day Fiancé*, *Big Brother*, *Naked and Afraid*, as well as game shows such as *America Says*, *Press Your Luck*, *Family Feud*, and cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles and the Philadelphia Phillies. Rachel lived independently for 44 years and was an entrepreneur with a successful taxi cab company.

Though she was raised within Orthodox Judaism, Rachel embraced Conservative Judaism later in life while maintaining a deep respect for the traditions of her upbringing. Her faith remained an important part of who she was.

Rachel’s legacy lives on through the generations she nurtured with love and strength. May her memory be a blessing and bring comfort to those who knew her.

Relatives and friends are invited to Graveside Services on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at 11:30 AM at Shalom Memorial Park 3573 Pine Rid, Huntingdon Valley PA 19006. Following the service, shiva will be observed at the late residence. Contributions in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org or to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org