NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. — Sylvia Lifshitz, 91, formerly of Lewiston, died Monday, March 11, at the Hearthstone Alzheimer's Care facility in New York City, where she had been a resident for the past 11 years.

She was born in Lewiston, Nov. 6, 1921, the daughter of Joseph and Ethel Richelson Lifshitz. Educated locally, she went to work for a relief organization in Europe following World War II and lived in Germany for several years.

During those years, she traveled all over Europe, and developed a life long love of skiing and mushroom-hunting. In the early 1950s, she returned to the states, living at first in Newark, N.J., and later in Jackson Heights, Queens, N.Y.

She worked as the executive secretary for Lloyd K. Garrison, one of the most respected and accomplished lawyers of the 20th century, until her retirement in the early 1990s.

During this time, she continued mushroom-hunting, trekking through the woods of Westchester County with avant-garde musician John Cage and other members of the New York Mycological Society.

She will be remembered for her adventurous, independent spirit, her “can do” attitude and her wonderful laugh.

Survivors include a sister, Dorothy Lifshitz of Auburn; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by two brothers, Shepard “Shep” Lee and Harold Lee.

Donations and condolences may be accessed online at www.albert-burpee.com.