In Memory of Fahny Voaknin Pierce
Dec. 31, 1951 – March 19, 2013 Fahny Voaknin Pierce, 61, taught Hebrew to hundreds of Solano and Napa County students who completed their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs at Vallejo’s Congregation B’nai Israel, Napa’s Congregation Beth Shalom, and other Bay Area Synagogues. Since her arrival in America from Israel in 1979, Fahny was an active member of the Vallejo Temple where she also taught Sunday school and generously shared her love of Israeli dance, culture and food. Her love of family and children the world over led her to support many youth-related activities, particularly Israel’s Ahava Village for children and youth. Born Dec. 31, 1951 in Casablanca, Morocco and raised in Haifa, Israel, Fahny’s 10-year struggle with breast cancer ended peacefully March 19, surrounded by her loving husband, Ralph; children, Steven and Angelic and her grandson Amari. Fany is also survived by her nephew, Yaniv Okhayon; mother, Rena Voaknin; six siblings and many nieces and nephews in Israel, as well as extended family in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her father, Avraham Voaknin and several siblings preceded her in death. A Celebration of her Life will take place at 1:00p.m. on Sunday, April 14, 2013 at Congregation B’nai Israel, Vallejo, CA . Donations can be made to Ahava Village, c/o Congregation B’Nai Israel, 1256 Nebraska St., Vallejo 94590
March 21, 2013 @ 9:38 pm
Your positive spirit will always infuse B’nai Israel. Your presence will be felt by all who have known and loved you whenever we walk through the front doors.
March 22, 2013 @ 2:26 am
Dearest Fahny — You will forever be in our hearts!! Thank you for infusing the B’nai Israel congregation with love, laughter, dancing and, above all, a strong faith in G-d. We love you, Fahny!
March 22, 2013 @ 2:32 am
I will always remember her wonderful smile and friendliness to all.
March 22, 2013 @ 4:22 am
Fahny was a kind, loving and beautful person. She will forever be in our hearts.
March 22, 2013 @ 11:48 pm
Dear Fahny,
Thank you for sharing with us the wisdom of our ancestors. We will always remember your kindness, your hallahs, and dancing.
March 23, 2013 @ 4:04 am
It was with sadness that I learned of Fahny’s death. I know that she will be missed.
March 24, 2013 @ 2:40 am
Fany was my hebrew teacher growing up, and the only Israeli I knew. I’m 20 now and live in Jerusalem. There are no words for how much she inspired me, how much I’ve used the tools she’s given me, how important it was for me that she infused my childhood with a strong sense of the importance of Judaism. She was one of the strongest, kindest, and most welcoming people I’ve ever known in my life. Baruch Dayan Emes.
April 6, 2013 @ 7:32 am
our Friend – our Mentor – our Leader ! ! ! We miss you very much but we know you are in Good Hands. And you have left us a precious legacy : Love thy neighbor, do good, enjoy life, trust Hashem to the fullest – make your heart smile no matter what –
What precious deeds.
April 14, 2013 @ 4:10 am
When I hear Fahni’s name I will always smile and remember her dancing and laughing.
April 28, 2014 @ 7:41 am
It’s so hard to believe it’s been over a year since Fahny passed. I still think of her and miss her. Ralph is a bother to me, he was a great husband to Fahny & has always been a great father to their awesome kids.
I love you all
John