deaths

Jacqueline Miriam Brown

Jacqueline Brown (nee Wolan), 85, of Highland Park, Ill., formerly of Los Altos Hills, CA, passed away on Aug. 4, 2010, surrounded by her loving family; the beautiful and beloved wife of 42 years of Abner J. Brown; loving mother of Steven (Linda) Wolan of Berkeley, CA; Alan (Susan) Wolan of Northbrook, Ill.; and Lauren (Rick) Wolan-Zak of Chico, CA; beloved sister and best friend of Arlene Don (late Richard Don) of Glencoe, Ill.

Jackie adored her grandchildren Jennifer (Nick Seuser) Wolan and Benjamin (Nicole) Wolan, Rachel and Michael Wolan, Aaron and Rebekka Zak and her great granddaughter Ruby Rose Seuser. A memorial service was held Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010. Donations may be made to the Dialysis Unit at Highland Park Hospital c/o Northshore Foundation, 1033 University Place, Evanston, IL 60201.

Herbert Lewin (January 9, 1920–July 25, 2010) a native of Berlin, Germany, longtime resident of San Francisco and Alameda passed away at age 90. He emigrated to the U.S. in 1940 and served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He was married to Selma from 1946 until her death in 2004. Herb was a lifelong baker who apprenticed in his teens in Germany and retired from baking in 1985.

He is survived by his daughter, Marian, son Kenneth, and his grandchildren Kent and Todd Anderson. Memorial service to be held at Temple Israel, Alameda, 11 a.m. Sunday, August 29. The family requests memorial contributions to: American Jewish World Service, Alameda Free Library, or Temple Israel (Alameda).

Paulette Irene Minden

Paulette Minden was known for her smile. Whether spending time with her children or hugging her grandchildren, talking with her sons-in law or meeting complete strangers, it was a striking part of who she was. The smile never left her face.

Paulette was born in 1943 in San Francisco to Dorothy and Philip Kael. She lived in the Bay Area her entire life —  San Francisco, Marin and finally in Hillsborough. She married Jerry Minden in 1966. They had a loving happy marriage until he passed away in 1994. They had two daughters. She helped open and run her family’s successful business, a chain of stationery stores.

Her main focus was always her family — her two daughters Lori Minden Tancer and Pamela Minden Robbins, sons-in-law Bill Tancer and Jonathan Robbins, and her precious grandchildren, Julia Michelle and Jacob Adam Robbins. She was never happier than when she was with them. She is also survived by her sister Nancy Weiss and her two children, Julie and Jeffrey Weiss. Her extended family brought her great joy as well.

Paulette bravely fought an aggressive form of melanoma, never losing her smile while doing so. She passed away on May 24, 2010. She was an inspiration to many and is dearly missed.

Donations in her memory to the Melanoma International Fund or the American Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated.

Ernest Weil

It is with sadness to share with you that Ernest Weil passed away peacefully at home on the morning of Saturday, July 31, 2010.

Born in Landau, Germany in 1924, Ernest journeyed alone at the age of 14 to Cuba in 1938, aboard the ship the St. Louis, only to be turned away from both Cuba and the United States. It was due to the conviction and bravery of the Captain Gustav Schroeder that anyone survived, as Captain Schroeder refused government orders to return the passengers to Germany. Though Ernest was forced to return to Europe, he was fortunately allowed to enter France, placed into the Montmorency, a Jewish children’s home. The Papaneks, directors of this orphanage, assisted Ernest in obtaining a scholarship to attend the Cordon Bleu Cooking School. In May, 1940, two weeks before the Nazis invaded Paris, he voyaged to America on the last ship to leave France. Ernest often said that much of his success was due to luck and the goodwill of others, and once again luck was with him as he finally arrived in New York City.

Ernie’s baking career began early, at his mother’s side. At the age of 18, he became the manager of Blum’s of San Francisco. He opened his dream bakery, Fantasia, in 1948 at the age of 24, employing the best bakers and most loyal workers any employer could ask for. Many longtime residents of San Francisco still refer to Ernie as “Mr. Fantasia”, the kind baker who indulged them with his mouth-watering sweets.

Ernie was married to “his one and only” childhood sweetheart Margot for more than 64 years. They raised four daughters, teaching the importance of family, of giving to those less fortunate, and of being open and accepting of all people. Especially important to Ernie were the needs of children. In 1978, he founded a charity to raise money for the Beit Ruth Frankel Learning Center in Israel which helps children that have learning disabilities.

His first “baby” (Fantasia) was sold in 1989 and at age 76 he started a new career as an author. He spent six years writing his famous recipes, creating “Love to Bake Pastry Cookbook.” All proceeds from previous sales and downloading of the cookbook go to children’s organizations.

Ernie made the world a much sweeter place, not only with the delightful desserts he created, but also through his optimism, humor, generous spirit, hard work and his love of family and friends. He will be missed by many. The family would like to thank his incredible caretakers, the wonderful staff of the Stratford, and family and friends for all the support they have given.

To celebrate Ernie’s life, those wanting to make a donation in his memory, please consider contributing to the American Friends of the Beit Ruth Frankel Learning Center, c/o Karen Weil, 1209 Bonita Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94709.

Margot Weil

Daughters Evie, Susie, Karen, and Sandy

Son-in-Laws Uri Rote, Charley Lakatos, Mark Morris

Grandchildren Michali, Maya, Doron, Jenny, Jeff, Sam and Hanna

Brothers Henry and Lewis Weil