Andra Silverberg Litman

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Andra Silverberg Litman, 63, who passed away on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024 surrounded by her loving family. Andra fought a fierce 24-year battle with the rare neurological disease, neuromyelitis optica (NMO), while multiple other illnesses ravaged her body and severely impacted her ability to function.

Andra was a beloved daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She had a creative soul with an eye for design – when she helped build her family’s home, she made sure to include an art room so her younger daughter Taylor could paint and draw on the walls. Andra was caring, inquisitive and always curious about what was going on in other people’s lives. She had a sweet tooth and was a fabulous baker herself, especially when it came to moist vanilla birthday cakes which sometimes had M&M’s on top.

Above all else, Andra considered her greatest achievements to have been her two daughters, Laken and Taylor. They were always her pride and joy. In many ways, because of her illness, she could only live the quality of life she wanted through her girls. Both Laken and Taylor are professionally accomplished in their fields, and they were always encouraged by their mother to follow their passion, do what they love, and be the best they could be. She was, to her last breath, their No. 1 fan. Laken is a sportswriter and author of the book, “Strong Like A Woman.” Taylor has a background in fashion and design, and is a talented wedding planner in Dallas.

Andra was born in Omaha, Nebraska and grew up in Dallas. She attended Akiba Academy, The Greenhill School and graduated from W.T. White. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas in 1982 and her J.D. from SMU in 1985. Later, Andra worked for Southwest Airlines, Dresser Industries and for her father’s law and mediation practice until she retired to help raise her family.

Andra is survived by her parents, Rena and Bud Silverberg, her daughters and sons-in-law Laken Litman Prosperi (Alex) and Taylor Brook (Eli), her adored grandson Logan, her brother and sister-in-law Dr. Kaylen Silverberg (Carol), her brother-in-law Gary Eisenstat, and her beloved aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family and friends. Andra was predeceased by her younger sister, Stefani Silverberg Eisenstat, who passed away after a battle with lung cancer in December 2020.

Andra’s family would like to acknowledge and offer heartfelt gratitude to some of the many who assisted her and her family throughout this difficult journey. Her caring physicians, especially Dr. Mark Fleschler and Dr. Michael Levy; supportive clergy members including Rabbis Ari Sunshine, Stefan Weinberg, Howard Wolk and Cantor Itzhak Zhrebker; the staff at the Verona for their loyal friendship these many years; special loving friends to Andra and her family including Lala Shrem, Mary Rhoades, Lindsay Feldman, Rosie Green and Cassondra Armstrong; the remarkable staffs in the ER and ICU at Medical City Dallas Hospital; as well as the warm and sensitive nurses at T. Boone Pickens Hospice Care, whose attention and tender loving care of Andra provided great solace.

Andra’s burial was held on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024 at Sparkman Hillcrest and was followed by a memorial service at Congregation Shearith Israel with a Shiva minyan service that evening.

The family requests that memorial contributions be directed to the Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundations (the leading foundation funding NMO research), Jewish Family Service, Congregation Shearith Israel or the charity of your choice.