Charlotte Mae Toppel died March 7, 2026. She was born in Chicago, Ill., on June 2, 1936. She was an exceptional person who was beloved by so many of her family and countless friends. Charlotte grew up in Chicago and attended the University of Illinois, where she met the… Read more »
Elissa Toni (Shavin) Tempkin, 77, passed away on October 26, 2025 in Tucson, Arizona. Elissa was born on January 17, 1948 in Atlanta, Georgia, the daughter of Ruth (Piassick) Shavin and Samuel Joseph Shavin. Elissa graduated from Grady High School in Atlanta in 1965, where she was the class… Read more »
Howard Polster passed away on Nov. 26, 2025, in Phoenix. Howard was born exactly two years before D-Day to Jerome I. and Margie Polster in Cleveland. He was the oldest of five siblings – Richard (Fran), Marilyn Katzel (James), Carolyn Bayer (Todd) and David (deceased). After graduating from Cleveland… Read more »
Martin (Marty) Victor Drozdoff said, “Hasta la vista!” to his body at age 78 on Jan. 14, 2026. He valiantly fought idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis for eleven years, which was many years longer than expected for those facing the disease. In the face of his illness, he continued many meaningful… Read more »
Local Holocaust survivor Andrew Schot died Jan. 11, 2026, at the age of 94. A 25-year veteran of the United States Air Force, Andrew dedicated much of his life to Holocaust education and memory by sharing his own testimony with thousands across Southern Arizona and beyond. One of Andrew’s… Read more »
Donald S. Novitt, born on July 30, 1947, in New York City, passed away on November 5, 2025 in Tucson. He was a devoted husband to Morleen, a loving father to Lisa (Rick), and proud “Pa” of Mia and Ruby, who brought him endless joy. Don was a successful… Read more »
Adelle Abrahams, age 102, passed away peacefully, surrounded by love on September 4, 2025. Born Adelle Bickart on October 17, 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio. Adelle lived a remarkable life filled with creativity, intelligence and an unwavering commitment to her family and to a large and diverse circle of friends.… Read more »
Larry passed away peacefully in his home in Tucson, Arizona, looking out at the view of the mountains that he so cherished. He was 87 years old. He is survived by his wife of over 60 years Gail Leiken, daughters Karen Farley and Julie Leiken in Boulder, Colorado, son… Read more »
Sam Horowitz (Photo courtesy Congegation B'nai Midbar) Samuel I. Horowitz, 79, died Aug. 18, 2025, in Rockville, Maryland, after a yearlong battle with leukemia. He was formerly a resident of SaddleBrooke, Arizona. Sam grew up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, where he attended yeshiva day school and forged a deep passion for Judaism. He served in the… Read more »
Born on July 19, 1942, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Lynn completed his undergraduate education at Harvard University, his medical degree at Washington University in St. Louis and residency at the University of Colorado. Lynn then completed his military service at the National Institutes of Health followed by a fellowship in… Read more »
With full hearts, we remember the life of Alvin “Al” Lightman, who passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of August 7, 2025, at the remarkable age of 103. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Al lived a long and meaningful life defined by service, devotion,… Read more »
Elise Danino Hirshberg, a creator and enhancer of beauty, philanthropist, consummate homemaker, and true matriarch, passed away at home surrounded by her family on August 5th, 2025. She was 99. Born in 1925, Elise entered a world of shifting tides and held her own through each era, upheaval, and… Read more »
Reuben Henry (Reuven Hennoch) Grinstein, of Houston, Texas, died Aug. 5, 2025, at the age of 89 after a courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Maxine (formerly Stein); children, Leah (David) Marks and Joe (Amy) Grinstein; grandchildren, Boaz (Lior) Marks, Miriam (Sean Teater) Marks, Batsheva… Read more »
Dr. Jack R. Cole died Aug. 2, 2025, at the age of 95, surrounded by his family and friends. Dr. Cole retired from the University of Arizona after 60 years of service. He was Dean Emeritus from the College of Pharmacy and served as the provost of the university.… Read more »
Marshall Rubin passed away suddenly on July 28, 2025. His passing was swift and unexpected. Born in Detroit, Michigan, on May 16, 1939, Marshall lived a life marked by compassion, commitment, and deep love for his family and community. He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years,… Read more »
Jane Levine Myerson, 77, of Oro Valley, AZ, formerly of Kingston, NY, passed away at home after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She leaves behind her beloved husband of 56 years, Randolph Myerson, and four children — Ilana (Brett), Ethan, Jeremy (Noel), and Ben (Kelly) — and… Read more »
Jean Helene Glassberg died May 29, 2025, three weeks after her 88th birthday. She was born in the Bronx, New York. Her family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, for a healthier life for her brother, who suffered from asthma. She arrived in Phoenix in time to begin high school, but… Read more »
Rabbi Arnold Task, 92, died on May 8, 2025, surrounded by his wife, Judy, and daughters, Sherri Gouterman, Susan Israel, and Laurie Klein. Rabbi Task was born in Chicago on October 21, 1932. He and Judy were married on Sept. 4, 1955. Rabbi Task completed his undergraduate degree at… Read more »
M. David Ben-Asher, M.D., died peacefully in his sleep, on December 28, 2024, in Tucson, at the age of 93. He was born in Newark, N.J., to Dora and Samuel Ben-Asher on June 18, 1931. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Syracuse University and his Doctor of Medicine… Read more »
William “Bill” Abel, 95, of Tucson, peacefully passed away surrounded by family on September 22, 2024, after a long and fulfilling life. Bill was born in 1928 in Monticello, N.Y. of Louis Alexander “Alex” and Anna Abel who were dairy farmers and had a butcher shop in Lake Huntington,… Read more »
