Phyllis Rosenberg Nitzkin

Born, raised, and educated in Detroit, Michigan, Joel and Phyllis worked and raised their children in six different states before settling in New Orleans in 1989.

Phyllis worked first as a bacteriologist lab technician, then as a medical data analyst, while raising Aaron, and Rikki, her two children. Through the years, she has been active in many Jewish community organizations, most prominently the New Orleans Section of the National Council of Jewish Women, where she served as President 2010-2012. Joel and Phyllis also played a major role in Krewe du Mishigas, a Jewish-oriented Mardi Gras sub-Krewe of Krewe du Vieux, over the past 21 years. Since surviving a bone marrow malignancy known as myelofibrosis in 2008, Joel and Phyllis have been avid scuba divers, travelling throughout the Caribbean and Central and South Pacific oceans.

Phyllis is survived by Joel L. Nitzkin, MD, her husband of 51 years, and their two adult children, Aaron and Rikki.

A visitation and Memorial Service will be held for Phyllis at Touro Synagogue, 4238 St. Charles Ave, in New Orleans, Noon to 2:00 PM, Sunday, February 25, 2018, followed by a reception in the home at 4939 Chestnut Street, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Phyllis specified no flowers, with those wishing to honor her memory to make a charitable donation in her name. The charities favored by Phyllis are: The National Council of Jewish Women, Greater New Orleans Section – to support their social and welfare initiatives serving all within our community www.ncjwneworleans.org . Myeloproliferative Diseases Foundation (with reference to the bone marrow malignancy Phyllis survived in 2008, thanks to recent advances in medical therapy) www.mpninfo.org and the Jewish National Fund – supporting social and welfare initiatives, both here and in Israel www.jnf.org. Of course, if individuals have other charities that they are devoted to, contributions to them in honor of Phyllis are also encouraged.