Morgan Brodwin, taught herself to read

Woodmere resident Morgan Skyler Brodwin was a passionate reader who learned to read on her own and brought a unique perspective to every day life.

Brodwin, a sixth-grader at the Nassau BOCES Rosemary Kennedy School in Wantagh died on Sept. 13. She was 12. The family declined to disclose the cause of death.

Cheryl May, a Hewlett resident, met Brodwin’s mother, Lisa, at the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre when she moved to the Five Towns in 2002. “We became fast friends and our children have grown up together,” she said. “They have become part of our family over the years.”

According to May, Brodwin was full of life. “Her smile would light up a room when she entered,” May said. “Her heart was full of love and compassion. She always told the people in her life how much she loved them from deep down in her heart and up to the moon and from infinity and beyond. Morgan touched so many people in her life and she made their lives better simply by knowing her.”

Brodwin’s uncle, Jahn Brodwin, said, “While Morgan’s life was short, it was profound in so many ways. She touched all of us and made us so aware of how precious even the smallest things can be; a song, a favorite book or video, a dance step, a piece of challah.”

Rabbi Andrew Warmflash of the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre presided over the funeral services. “She had an incredible spirit; so beautiful, and sweet and loving,” he said of Brodwin. “Her enthusiasm for life was infectious. Everyone loved to be with her.”

Warmflash said Brodwin was passionate about reading. “She taught herself to read Dr. Seuss books and literally wore them out by reading them so many times,” he said. “Morgan Brodwin was a person who transcended the limitations of her life, who appreciated every day that she was granted as a gift and lived each day fully with love and joy.”

Services were held on Sept. 15 at Boulevard-Riverside Chapels in Hewlett. Brodwin was interred at Beth Moses Cemetery in Farmingdale.

She is survived by her parents, Lisa and Randy, younger brother Spencer, grandparents Elinor Beerman, and Shirley and Gordon Brodwin. Her grandfather Stuart Beerman predeceased her.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that contributions be made in Morgan’s memory to Chabad of the Five Towns Friendship Circle, 74 Maple Ave., Cedarhurst, NY 11516, the Theresa Academy of the Performing Arts, 250 Lido Blvd., Lido Beach, NY 11561, or Anchor Building Fund, 630 Lido Blvd., Lido Beach, NY 11561.