Obituaries

Of Blessed Memory: Myra Levenson

Myra Katzen Levenson of Tucson, AZ, and Mill Valley, CA, died at age 84 on November 4. Myra found her true joy in connecting with family and friends, talking about everything, and making new connections with people. Her other true passions were classical music and art. Born and raised… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Gerie Richman

Gertrude (Gerie) Richman, formerly of Tucson, passed away on October 4, 2023, at the age of 101. She lived the last six years of her life near her family in Boulder, Colo. Gerie was born on July 14, 1922, in New York City. She lived in West Aliquippa, Pa.… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Ron Weintraub

It is with profound sadness that The Weintraub Israel Center shares with you the passing of Ron Weintraub on Monday, September 25, 2023. Ron was a giant in our community. He was devoted to both the Tucson Jewish community and to Israel. Ron and his wife Diane had traveled… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Irving Silverman

Irving Silverman of Dedham, Mass., formerly of Roslyn, NY, Tucson, Ariz., and Bernard, Maine, passed away on August 5, 2023, at the age of 103. Irving was the beloved husband of the late Henrietta and the late Nancy, devoted father of Ellen Siegel and her husband Donald, Bill Silverman… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Shelby Silverman

Shelby David Silverman (Shel), שלמה דוד בן חיה ומשה אהרן 77, of Tucson, AZ passed away on June 9, 2023, the 20th of Sivan 5783. Funeral service is at the Evergreen chapel, followed by burial on Sunday, June 11, at 10am, officiated by Rabbi Ruven Barkan and Cantorial Soloist… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Betty Orman

Born Nov. 24, 1928, to Robert and Lillian Fleiss in Detroit, Betty graduated from Central High School there. She met the love of her life, Bernie Orman at the Jewish Community Center in Detroit. They were married October 22, 1950. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Melanie Pozez

Melanie Pozez, beloved wife, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, philanthropist, activist and friend died May 27, 2023 at her home in Los Angeles. Melanie was born August 4, 1950, in Topeka, Kansas, the daughter of Shaol and Evie Pozez. A veritable Jewish Francis of Assisi, Melanie rescued thousands of… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Burton E. Becker

Burton (Burt) E. Becker (born January 11, 1941) passed away Tuesday, April 25, preceded in death by his wife Phyllis, after a prolonged battle with cancer. He is survived by his daughters Beth Becker of Silver Spring, Md. and Amy Platizky (Adam Platizky) of Phoenix. He is also survived… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Phyllis Seltzer

Our beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, Phyllis Joan Seltzer passed away peacefully on March 25, 2023 at the age of 85 years old. The world will be less colorful and bright without her big beautiful presence, smile, and energy. She has left an indelible mark on the lives… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Irene Steindler

Irene Steindler, 98, of Highland Park, Illinois, died at home on Tuesday, March 14 after a long and beautiful life. Her daughter, Carol Miller, was by her side as she took her last breath. Irene was born on December 3, 1924 in Dieburg, Germany to Louis and Elsa (Loeb)… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Mel Zuckerman

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Mel Zuckerman z’l, pillar of our Tucson Jewish community and visionary philanthropist. Mel passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 18 at age 94 surrounded by his loving family. As dedicated leaders in our Jewish community, Mel Zuckerman and his devoted… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Helen Lederman Cole

Helen Beverly Lederman Cole, beloved Granny and GiGi, passed February 26, 2023. Born in Chicago March 15, 1939, Mrs. Cole taught kindergarten and was a graduate of Roosevelt University where she met her husband Alan (z”l). Together they opened Cole’s Baby News, a children’s department store franchise in Goleta,… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Irwin “Ace” Rosman

Ace and Charlene Rosman

Irwin “Ace” Rosman died on February 6, 2023, at age 91. He will be mourned by his family and friends, including sons Richard Rosman and his wife Johanna Rosman of New York, and Brian Rosman and his wife Rabbi Barbara Penzner of Boston; and his four grandchildren, Aviva Rosman… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Don Luria

Tucson lost one of its most fervent community champions Dec. 25, 2022 when Don Luria, 87, passed away after a short illness, surrounded by family, at his Tucson home. He leaves a legacy of accomplishment in, business, government, education and nonprofit service across more than 50 organizations spanning 65… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Jerrold Lyons

Jerrold M Lyons left us on November 24, 2022, after a brief struggle with cancer, followed by a private funeral. He was preceded in death by his dear wife, Joann, in 2010. He now rests beside her. Jerry, as we always called him, leaves behind three children; Ron … Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Rabbi Richard Safran

Rabbi Richard B. Safran of Tucson, Ariz., (formerly of Fort Wayne, Ind.) passed away on December 2, 2022, at the age of 92. Rabbi Safran was the local Jewish Community Chaplain for many years. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he served his Jewish congregations, his communities, his friends and his… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Betty Gould Garfield

Betty Gould Garfield, of Tucson, peacefully passed away October 19, 2022, in San Diego, Calif., with her daughter, Judith, by her side. Betty was born on Valentine’s Day in 1924 in New Haven, Conn., and lived there until 1936 when the Depression compelled her family to move to Los… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Marion Gendell

Marion Belvin Gendell, 91, passed away peacefully on October 15. Born in Berlin in 1931, she emigrated with her parents and younger brother to England in August 1939, just one week before the onset of World War II.  In 1940, her family emigrated to the United States settling in… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Suzanne Bloomfield

Suzanne Lois Bloomfield passed away peacefully on October 18, 2022. She was a gifted artist whose work showed worldwide, and a compassionate therapist in private practice and at Jewish Family Services for over 45 years. Her generosity and love of life made the world brighter for all who knew… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Gaylor Kasle

Gaylor Lee Kasle, 81, passed away on October 3, 2022, in Phoenix with his loving wife Barbara by his side. Gaylor was born March 2, 1941, in Flint, Michigan to Sidney and Lee Kasle. He attended Short Ridge High School in Indianapolis where he made many lifelong friends. Upon… Read more »