Elinor Friend
Born Sept. 16, 1919 in El Paso, Texas, passed away in her apartment after a long illness. The daughter of Isadore Hirschberg and Leona Simon, Elly grew up in El Paso before coming to California to attend the University of California in Berkeley in 1938.
She soon caught the eye of her husband-to-be, Eugene Friend, during an English class when Gene pulled on her pretty pigtails. Elly was an active person involved in the Auxiliary at Mt. Zion Hospital and the Jewish Home for the Aged. She was very creative and loved to be involved in artistic endeavors. She was a pupil of Dirk van Erp’s sister and produced many beautiful hand hammered silver and brass family heirlooms. She had a particular affinity for flowers and was often spotted sleuthing through the neighborhood for “stray” flowers to complete her spectacular centerpieces. One was even included in the Bouquet to Arts exhibit. She was also an excellent cook.
With her late husband, Gene, Elly made many important gifts to the city of San Francisco, UCSF, the Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco Jewish Community Center and the Jewish Home for the Aged. Elly took a special interest in helping children, sponsoring programs to bring them out to the San Francisco Zoo, where her legacy remains strong.
Her last name was well suited to her as many remarked, “No one could have a better friend than Elly.” Elly and Gene were married for more than 65 years. Their pride in San Francisco was second only to that in their family, a close and loving group that was always their first priority. Elly will be dearly missed by sons Bob and Don, daughters-in-law Michelle and Janie, and grandchildren Nicole and her husband Gar, Benjamin, Jason and Lauren.
A private service is being held by the family. Contributions honoring Elly Friend’s memory may be made to the Jewish Home of San Francisco, Jewish Family and Children’s Services or the charity of one’s choice.
Sinai Memorial Chapel
Suzette Guth
In San Francisco on Jan. 23, 2012 at age 93. Loving daughter of Fritz and Olga Guth. Suzette was born in Nuremberg and grew up in Vienna. She lived in England from 1938 to 1945. Suzette returned to Nuremberg after the war to work as a translator for the U.S. Army. In 1955 she immigrated to New York, where she worked as an administrative assistant. In 1963, Suzette moved to San Francisco, where she worked for the Department of Social Services for 20 years. After retiring, she was a volunteer at the Jewish Home and at California Pacific Medical Center. Donations to JFCS, 2150 Post St., SF CA 94115, or the Jewish Home, 302 Silver Ave., SF CA 94112.
Sinai Memorial Chapel
Robin David Leland
San Francisco. At age 65.
Executive producer of the award-winning documentary “Fourth and Goal,” host of classical music programs on KWMR-FM in Marin, and member of the board of the Roxie Theater in San Francisco, passed away on Jan. 21, 2012.
A native San Franciscan, Robin graduated from Grant School, Lowell High School and Harvard University. He traveled widely and lived all over the world, including in France, England, Nepal and Jamaica, but always came back home to San Francisco, and to the Giants. He was at Seals Stadium on the Giants’ first opening day in 1958, and at Pac Bell with his season tickets for the first game there and through the 2011 season, and he has a brick in Willie Mays Plaza.
Robin was preceded in death by his wife, Janet Gardiner. The son of Betty and Herbert Leland, Robin is survived by his brothers, Marc (Jacqueline) and Clyde (Lorraine), by brothers-in-law John Gardiner and Arthur Gardiner, by sisters-in-law Katharine Gardiner Hale and Anne Gardiner, by his aunt, Muriel Leland of San Francisco, and by nieces Natasha, Olivia, Ramona, Sierra, and Nicole, and nephews Jacob and David.
Robin was an Eagle Scout and expert on music, art, literature, philosophy, history and sports; in fact, there are very few subjects on which Robin was not an expert, and he shared his knowledge and wisdom graciously. He also taught English to Russian immigrants in the City. A true renaissance man, he was loved and will be remembered by friends throughout the world.
Private services took place at Sinai Memorial Chapel in San Francisco.
Sinai Memorial Chapel
Herbert L. Levison
Herb was peaceful and at peace when he died on Jan. 19, 2012, his 981⁄2 birthday.
Son of Benjamin and May Levison, Herb lived most of his life in San Francisco. He was a life member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. Until the last week, Herb always had a smile and never complained.
He will be especially missed by his godson David Taylor of Oakland and his long-term neighbor and friend Bill Byrd of Santa Rosa.
A sharing of stories and celebration of his life will take place on Feb. 5 in Oakland. Email: [email protected] for details.
Hyman Phillip Manber
Hy Manber (b. 1924) of San Francisco died on Jan. 20, 2012. He is survived by his devoted wife Clarice and daughters Barbara Eisenberg of Bellevue, Wash., Beverly (Keith) Anderson of Woodside, and Michele (Hugh Shipman) Manber of Seattle; grandchildren Melissa (Greg) Lang, Dr. Mark (Tracey) Eisenberg, and Devon Manber of Seattle; sister Yetta Paretzky of New York and brother Irving (Helene) Mamber of Arizona.
Hy was an active member of Adath Israel and ZOA; past California State Commander of JWV; and a volunteer with B’nai B’rith Ari’s and Roar’s in Israel.
The family suggests contributions be made to Adath Israel in San Francisco; JNF (42 East 69th St., N.Y. 10021, www.jnf.org); or Laniado Hospital (Public Relations Department, 16 Divrei Chaim St., Netanya, Israel 42150, www.en.laniado.org.il). Hy was interred at Eternal Home Cemetery in Colma.
Sinai Memorial Chapel
Jordan Simon
Jordan Simon died peacefully on Jan. 10, 2012 at the age of 88. He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Rita Sargen Simon, and will be deeply missed by daughters Lynn Simon and Marcie Simon, loving grandsons Jake Simon Lachman and Zachary Simon Adler, and many adoring nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Jordan graduated from the University of Chicago just days before being called up for active duty in the Navy in 1943. He was commanding officer of an amphibious gun ship, a new kind of Landing Craft Support ship used to clear the beaches ahead of the Marines. For over two years, their little LCS fired its rockets in multiple invasions, from Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands to the Marianas, the Philippines, and finally Okinawa, where they were strafed constantly by Kamikaze bombers.
After the war, Jordan attended Northwestern Law on the G.I. Bill and had a successful law practice in Chicago. In 1997, Jordan and Rita moved to Rossmoor in Walnut Creek to be closer to family. Semi-retired, Jordan enjoyed tennis, swimming, bocce ball, classical music, politics and was an avid reader. Jordan took joy in the simple things — his family, his garden, sailing, sunshine, the N.Y. Times crossword puzzle. Outgoing and gregarious, he had a remarkable memory, and friends remember him knowing all of the answers in the history category of the family’s annual Chanukah “Jewpardy”games.
A lifetime agnostic, Jordan nevertheless lived a life of Jewish values, worshiping fairness, justice, honesty, integrity, and counting his blessings almost daily. Memorial services were held.
Donations in Jordan’s memory may be made to JFCS East Bay, 2484 Shattuck Ave., Suite 210, Berkeley, CA.
Ethel Kertz Welch
Died peacefully at home on Jan. 16, 2012, one month before her 96th birthday. Ethel was born Feb. 25, 1916 to Ann and Mendle Blackfield. She married Herbert Kertz in 1936 and had four children who survive her: Fredrica Greene (Gary), Arlan Kertz (Carolyn), Glenda Radine (Lawrence) and Mark Kertz (Minnie). Herbert died in 1971. She was preceded in death by her second husband, John Welch, with whom she became a world traveler, and by her brothers Irving and Stanley Blackfield.
In addition to her loving children, she is survived by seven grandchildren: Alison Moats, Tracy Mintz, Loren Kertz, Daniel Kertz, Jason Radine, Michael Radine and Adam Kertz; and six great-grandchildren: Nathan and Ryan Kertz, Sarah Moats, Maxine and Joseph Mintz and Aliza Kertz, all loved and loved by her.
A San Francisco native, she graduated from Lowell High and U.C. Berkeley and pursued post-graduate studies at Stanford University. Ethel had an independent spirit, sharp intellect and keen wit and was always exploring new creative pursuits. She was a talented weaver, quilter and photographer.
The family thanks her wonderful caregiver, Susana Longi.
Donations in her name may be made to your favorite charity.