Watch CBS News

Funeral Held For 97-Year-Old Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Victim

Follow KDKA-TV: Facebook | Twitter

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The oldest victim of the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood was laid to rest Friday.

It was the last of the funeral services for the 11 victims.

Rose Mallinger's family said even though she was three years shy of turning 100 years old, you would never know it because she looked and acted younger.

rose mallinger
Rose Mallinger (Photo Provided)

Her family said she had a sharp wit, humor and intelligence until her very last day.

"Everyone had things to say about Rose, and it was just unreal how much love there was for this woman," Adam Maeroff, who attended the funeral, said.

Her family also said even though she died terribly, she lived a good life and did everything she wanted to do in her life.

Watch Pam Surano's report --

 

Close family members called her "Bubbie," the Yiddish word for grandma.

Her daughter, 61-year-old Andrea Wedner, was also shot. She has been recovering from her injuries at UPMC Presbyterian and was able to make her mother's services by ambulance escort and assistance.

Mallinger's family said the synagogue was the center of Rose's life - it was her place to be social, to be active and to meet family and friends. She had attended the synagogue for more than 60 years.

RELATED LINKS:

Visitation began at 11 a.m. at the Rodef Shalom Temple and the line of mourners was wrapped around the building. Funeral services began at 1 p.m.

People were hugging one another waiting in line. One mourner could be heard sobbing as she drove past with her window open.

Meanwhile, Jewish Agency Chairman Isaac Herzog was expected to be among those attending Mallinger's funeral. Tree of Life Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, who was inside the synagogue during the shooting, co-eulogized Mallinger.

"Rabbi Myers is an incredible rabbi and an incredible human being and an incredible spokesperson for humanity," Martin Parness, who attended the funeral, said.

The Jewish Agency teamed up with the Israeli Trauma Coalition to dispatch a mission of post-trauma and grief specialists from Israel to Pittsburgh.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.