Obituaries

Of Blessed Memory: Donald Novitt

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 »

Of Blessed Memory: Adelle Abrahams

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 »

Of Blessed Memory: Larry Leiken

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 »

Of Blessed Memory: Sam Horowitz

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 »

Of Blessed Memory: Lynn Max Taussig, M.D.

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 »

Of Blessed Memory: Alvin Lightman

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 »

Of Blessed Memory: Elise Danino Hirshberg

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 »

Of Blessed Memory: Reuben Grinstein

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 »

Of Blessed Memory – Jack Cole

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 »

Of Blessed Memory: Marshall Rubin

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 »

Of Blessed Memory: Jane Myerson

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 »

Of Blessed Memory: Jean Glassberg

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 »

Of Blessed Memory: Rabbi Arnold Task dies at 92

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 »

Of Blessed Memory: M. David Ben-Asher

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 »

Of Blessed Memory: William Abel

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 »

Of Blessed Memory: Barbara Soble

Barbara Soble (nee Becker) passed away on September 29, 2024. She was born in Natick, Mass. and moved to Tucson in 1958. She was a member of the Jewish community during her early years. She owned a needlepoint store and clothing store until her retirement. After retirement, Barbara was… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Karyl Cohn

Karyl Cohn (nee Stein), age 95, passed away peacefully on July 21,2024, in Tucson. Born in 1929, in Dayton, Ohio, Karyl’s life was a testament to her passion for music and her enduring love for her family. Karyl’s musical journey began at the tender age of 8 with piano… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Johanna Stein

Johanna B. Stein (born April 26, 1938) beauty queen, Pima County Maid of Cotton, University of Arizona Registration Kitten and dark cloud to all of Daddy’s silver linings struck her last pose July 5, 2024.  A beautiful and virtuous woman, what she lacked in patience she made up for… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: William Becker

William Becker was born in Milwaukee to Helen and Morris Becker on June 2, 1936. He grew up in Tucson, graduated from Tucson High in 1954, attended Marquette in Milwaukee and graduated from Marquette Dental School in 1961. As he used to say, “he married up” to Joyce Goldwyn… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Jim Stuehringer

Jim Stuehringer passed away on June 29, 2024, surrounded by loving family and friends after a battle with dementia. He was born in Akron, Ohio on August 19,1948 to Flo and Chuck Stuehringer. After graduating from law school at the University of Cincinnati, Jim relocated to Tucson with his… Read more »