Golda Brunhild

In Loving Memory of Golda Fruchter Brunhild
Known to all who loved her as Golda, Leiba Golda Fruchter Brunhild passed away with
her Asheville family by her side Thursday, October 22, 2026, at her home in Asheville,
North Carolina. She was 96 years young.
Born on August 8, 1930, in Los Angeles, California, to Nate and Lily Fruchter, Golda
lived a rich and meaningful life centered on family, learning, leadership, and service to
others. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, a gifted
educator, a successful businesswoman, a published author, and a passionate leader in
the Jewish community. Throughout her life, Golda brought energy, determination,
generosity, and heart to everything she did. She had a gift for bringing people together
and leaving things better than she found them, and her influence will live on in the many
lives she touched.
Golda grew up in Los Angeles alongside her two younger brothers, Leonard, of blessed
memory, and Mickey, of blessed memory. She was a lifelong learner, graduating from
the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts
degree. Her love of education never faded, and in 1972, she earned her master’s
degree from the University of South Florida (USF).
While attending UCLA, Golda met Gordon, a student at the University of Southern
California (USC), on a blind date. That meeting marked the beginning of a life together,
and the two married in 1951. Their family grew with the arrival of their daughter, Vikki, in
1955, followed by their three sons, Mike, Steve, and Rob. In 1960, the family settled in
Tampa, Florida, where Golda would build a life filled with family, friendships,
professional accomplishments, and deep community involvement.
Golda began her professional journey as an elementary school teacher in Georgia and
California, serving from 1951 to 1955. Her dedication to education continued when she
became Religious School Director at Congregation Schaarai Zedek in Tampa, serving
from 1972 to 1975. She later devoted many years to the family real estate business,
serving as owner, manager, and chief executive officer from 1975 until 2000. Always
eager to explore new interests and embrace new challenges, Golda turned to another
passion later in life: writing. From 2007 to 2018, she became a published author,
sharing her words and creativity with others.
Golda’s commitment to Jewish life and community was a defining part of who she was.
In 1986, she became a founding member of Congregation Beth Am in Tampa, where
she served several years as an active Board member. With her characteristic energy
and initiative, she organized the congregation’s Sisterhood and served as its first
president. Her efforts helped lay the foundation for a vibrant congregation and fostered
a lasting spirit of friendship, fellowship, service, and Jewish tradition. She believed
deeply in the importance of community and understood that its strength came from
people who were willing to give their time, care, and talents to others.
Golda’s service reached far beyond the synagogue. She helped resettle Russian
refugees, was honored by Hillel at the University of South Florida for outstanding
service, and was named a Jewish Federation Outstanding Woman of Distinction. She
was also recognized as one of Tampa’s “8 Over 80,” honoring individuals whose
dedication and contributions had made a lasting difference in the Tampa Jewish
community. These honors reflected what those who knew Golda already understood:
she was someone who saw a need and found a way to help.
Above all her many accomplishments, family was at the heart of Golda’s life. She was
immensely proud of her four children, Vikki, Mike, Steve, and Rob, and delighted in her
seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Her family was a source of
tremendous love and joy, and the generations who follow her carry forward a legacy
shaped by her determination, values, and devotion. Whether through family traditions,
shared memories, or the lessons she imparted, Golda’s presence will remain an
enduring part of their lives.
After many wonderful decades in Tampa, Golda moved to West Bloomfield, Michigan to
be near Rob’s family. In 2023, she moved to Asheville, North Carolina, to spend her
later years with Vikki’s family. Wherever life took her, she carried with her the
experiences, relationships, and sense of purpose that had defined her remarkable
journey.
Golda Fruchter Brunhild will be remembered with love for her devotion to family, her
independent spirit, her many accomplishments, and her unwavering commitment to the
Jewish community. Her legacy is one of compassion, perseverance, service, and love.
Though she will be deeply missed, the impact of her life will continue through her
children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the countless people who were
fortunate enough to know her. The memories she created, the communities she helped
build, and the love she shared will remain with all who knew and loved her.
Golda is survived by her loving children: Vikki (Bruce) of Asheville, North Carolina; Mike
(Wendy), of Henderson, Nevada; Steve (Debbie), of Plano, Texas; and Rob (Karen), of
West Bloomfield, Michigan; her grandchildren: Avi (Mari), and Ishka/Liat; Claire (Daniel)
and Taylor; Shelley; Rachel (Alexei) and Ilyssa; and great-grandchildren: Sora, Ellory,
Ashley, Alex, and Katy.
Funeral services will be held at Congregation Beth Am at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday,
October 28, 2026. The service will also be on Zoom. Contact Beth Am for further
information.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Congregation Beth Am or the Alzheimer’s association in Golda’s memory.