Obituaries

Sarah Berkowitz Ullman, 97, died Jan. 12, 2011. Born in Rochester, N.Y., Mrs. Ullman lived in Syracuse, N.Y., where she was a secretary for over 20 years at Temple Concord. She lived in Tucson for 25 years. Survivors include her daughter, Karen (Dr. Jeffrey) Katz of Tucson; four grandchildren… Read more »

Rose S. Laz, 87, died Jan. 13, in La Jolla, Calif . Mrs. Laz lived in Tucson for more than 40 years before moving to California in 1987. Survivors include her husband of 63 years, Harold; children, Janice of Camarillo, Calif., and Louis of Prides Crossing, Mass.; three grandchildren,… Read more »

Debbie Friedman, Jewish songwriter and performer, dies.

SAN FRANCISCO (JTA) — Over the weekend, as singer-songwriter Debbie Friedman lay dying in a hospital bed in Southern California, the call went out to Jewish congregations around the world to pray for the popular musician. But early Sunday morning Friedman, who composed “Mi Shebeirach,” a popular version of… Read more »

Stephanie L. Balch, 30, died unexpectedly Dec. 14, 2010. Beloved daughter, sister, niece, grandchild and friend, she will be remembered as a beautiful, loving and generous person. Private services were held. Arrangements were made by Evergreen Mortuary and Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of… Read more »

Renaye "Ricki" Lehman

Renaye “Ricki” Lehman, 81, died Dec. 13, 2010. Although she was hampered by rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and later Alzheimer’s, Mrs. Lehman was certified by the Library of Congress as a braillist and proofreader. She was a patient instructor in the muscular and skeletal examination program for second year medical… Read more »

Anita Labovitz, 87, died Dec. 5, 2010. Born in Pittsburgh, Pa., she volunteered with B’nai B’rith Women. Survivors include her husband of 66 years, Hy; daughters, Susan (Charles) Childers of Tucson and Renee (Peter) Nowell of Phoenix; and three grandchildren. Graveside services were held in the Congregation Anshei Israel… Read more »

Maurice Halper

Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Maurice Jacob Hal­per, 94, died Dec. 4, 2010. After retiring from the U.S. Army, Brig. Gen. Hal­per founded Orient East and was later president of the Tucson Girl Scout Council. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth; sons, David Halper of Plano, Texas, Stephen Halper of Las Cruces,… Read more »

Aimond "Pep" Pepper

Aimond “Pep” Pepper, 83, of Oro Valley, Ariz., died Dec. 1, 2010. Born in Providence, R.I., a first generation American, he grew up in City Island, N.Y. He graduated from Christopher Columbus High School. Mr. Pepper managed a bar and grill in New York City. He was the owner… Read more »

Evie Pozez

Evelyn Shirley Whitebook Pozez was “always gracious and grateful to people around her,” says Stuart Mellan, CEO and president of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona. “First and foremost, I’ll remember her shining spirit and ever-present smile.” Mrs. Pozez, 84, died on Friday, Dec. 17, 2010. Born in Iowa… Read more »

Joy Isenstein

Joy Barbara Isenstein, 78, died Nov. 29, 2010 in New Brunswick, N.J. Mrs. Isenstein was a frequent winter visitor to Tucson. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Joshua Joseph. Survivors include her husband of 54 years, Robert Isenstein of Monroe Township, N.J.; daughters, Judy (John) Peterson of… Read more »

Jordan Fassler, 85, died Nov. 17, 2010. After serving in the U.S. Army under General Patton, he completed his education at the University of Arizona in 1951 with a master’s degree in education. He  moved to New York City and returned to Tucson in 1955. He worked at Doolen… Read more »

Jane Elizabeth Klimist, 89, died Nov. 17, 2010. Survivors include her husband, Ben Klimist; children, Carol (Lee) Druckman of San Diego, Calif., and Barry (Joyce) Klimist of Denver, Colo.; two grandsons and three great-grandchildren. Services were held at Evergreen Mortuary with Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon officiating. Interment followed in… Read more »

Eugene C. “Sonny” Rickles, 84, died Nov. 11, 2010 . Born in Chicago, Ill., Mr. Rickles owned several mobile home parks for over 40 years. He was a member of the Pima County Planning and Zoning Commission and was a political lobbyist for the manufactured home industry. Survivors include… Read more »

Florie Krell, 74, of Pittsburgh, Pa., died Nov. 10, 2010. Born in Uniontown, Pa., Mrs. Krell graduated from the University of Pittsburgh. She was involved in the Brandeis Women’s book sale and led a women’s issues group for Hadassah. Mrs. Krell was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold… Read more »

Arthur Berg, 88, died Nov. 9, 2010. Born in New York City, Mr. Berg graduated from James Monroe High School in the Bronx. Mr. Berg retired from American Airlines and moved to Tucson in 1983. Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Hannah; daughters, Carol Krizman of Tucson and… Read more »

Fran (Schneweiss) Weissenberg, 95, died Nov. 6, 2010. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Mrs. Weissenberg attended Brooklyn College and taught in New York City schools. She was a member of O.R.T. and many other organizations. Her book, “The Streets are Paved with Gold,” was published when she was 75, and… Read more »

Julie Ruth Abrahams, 67, died Nov. 3, 2010 . Mrs. Abrahams graduated cum laude from California State University, Northridge with a B.A. in 1980, specializing in graphic design, while raising two young children. Her husband Barry’s career with Hughes Aircraft, and later Raytheon, had them move to Tucson on… Read more »

Gabrielle and Arthur Schneider

Gabrielle Schneider, 87, died Oct. 31, 2010. Mrs. Schneider was a Holocaust survivor and was active in Holocaust education at public schools. She was a published author, avid tennis player, swimmer and taught piano for over 40 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur J. Schneider.… Read more »

Lillian T. Reiss, 93, died Oct. 31, 2010. Born in New York City, Mrs. Reiss was past president of Women’s American ORT, past vice president of Hadassah, a member of the million dollar club at Shadron Real Estate and a 50-year member of Congregation Anshei Israel. She was preceded… Read more »

The family of the late Richard Rampell will celebrate his life at a gathering on Sunday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. at the Tucson Jewish Community Center. All friends of the family are invited to attend.… Read more »