12 minute read
Obituaries
LOLLY PEARL BERNSTEIN
NORFOLK—Lolly Pearl Bernstein, 99, passed September 17, 2022.
Born in Norfolk to Jacob and Jennie Donsky, she was raised in Colonial Place, was a graduate of Granby High School, a widow of Elmer Bernard Bernstein, and lifelong member of Temple Israel.
She is survived by sons, Marc and Richard; nieces and nephews, Susan Scholsohn, Dr. Steve Perlman, and Michael and Mary Donsky.
Predeceased by her sister, Pansy Perlman and her husband, Dr. Jerome Perlman; brother, Harry Donsky.
Lolly was active in Temple Israel Sisterhood, Hadassah life member of Beth Sholom, and Candy Stripers. She loved her garden where she was active until her death.
A graveside service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery with Rabbi Dr. Michael Panitz officiating.
HYMAN BROOKE
NORFOLK—Hyman Brooke (Hymie), born May 7, 1923, passed away on Sunday, October 9, 2022 after a short illness.
Born and raised in Norfolk, he graduated early from Maury High School and attended the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary. His studies were interrupted to open Brooke’s Market on Church Street. Hymie later joined his father and brothers in the family business, Southern Packing Corporation (the Plant), eventually becoming president where he continued to work well into his 90’s.
He was a founding member of Temple Israel, a member of its Men’s Club, and the B’rith Sholom Center. For 74 years, Hymie was a proud member of the Norfolk Masonic Lodge #1.
Hymie was an amazingly kind, compassionate gentleman. He loved working at the “Plant” in any capacity alongside his father, brothers, nephew, and grandson. It did not matter if you were a customer, driver or meat cutter, you were his friend. Rarely angry, he viewed life with a “happy heart” adding a joke or a pun at every opportunity. His wife, Pearl, was the love of his life along with his three devoted daughters and large extended family. He was a man who loved life and could make “lemonade out of lemons.”
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Pearl Mirman Brooke; parents Isadore and Rebecca Brooke; brother and sister-in-law Benjamin and Lea Brooke; son-in-law Jerry Meldon; brother-in-law Barry Kantor; and brother and sister-inlaw Sonny and Bunny Mirman.
He is survived by his daughters, Judy Goldman (Ray), Robin Brooke Meldon, Sandi Rothman (Karl), grandchildren Todd Goldman (Stacey), Lauren Barkan (Alex), Tova Tritt (Shawn), Perri Meldon (Lucius), Seth Meldon, Rebecca and Danielle Rothman; brother and sister-inlaw Leonard and Eleanor Brooke; and was “Hoppy” to his eight great-grandchildren Ava and Lainey Goldman; Casey, Spencer and Esther Barkan; Leighton, Emerson, and Paxton Tritt, as well as many nieces and nephews.
We have all learned from Hymie’s loving example, he was a “mensch” and will be forever missed by all who knew him.
Donations may be made to Temple Israel, the Samuel Michael Brooke Fund at the University of Virginia, or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made to the family through hdoliver.com.
A graveside service was officiated by Rabbi Michael Panitz at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk.
ROCHELLE “SHELLY” BROWN
VIRGINIA BEACH—Shelly Brown died peacefully at home in Virginia Beach, Virginia, one day before her 89th birthday.
She was born and raised in Sydney, Nova Scotia, as Rochelle Gaum, where she and her sister Eleanor were sometimes mistaken for their British royal contemporaries, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Rose.
After attending McGill University in Montreal, she moved to Detroit in the early 1950s to study nursing. While working as a Registered Nurse at Sinai Hospital of Detroit, she met Dr. Saul Brown, who became her husband and the father of their three children. In her profession as well as her family life, she was a kind and nurturing presence, quiet but keenly intelligent and attentive to those she loved—her husband, her children, and after her husband’s tragic death, her longtime companion, Buddy Newman.
The joy she found in her family was extended to her passion for the beauty of art of all types. Wherever she was, she sought out museums, galleries, and craft fairs. She had a particular appreciation for Southwestern art during her years of living in Arizona.
Her final years were spent in the loving care of her daughter, Judy Mitnick, and her family. She also cherished and was cherished by her sons, Joel and David Brown, her daughter-in-law, Lorraine Brown, her son-in-law, Wayne Mitnick, and her grandchildren, Ben Brown, Emily Brown, Jason Mitnick, and Josh Mitnick. Many nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews in the Richmond and Sandberg families, and the children and grandchildren of Buddy Newman, all adored their lovely, warm, and funny Aunt Shelly.
Arrangements were private by the family. Donations can be made to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Online condolences may be offered to the family at hdoliver.com.
HYMAN COHEN
VIRGINIA BEACH—Age 96! Hyman Cohen of Virginia Beach, Va.
Hy Cohen was a loving, compassionate, generous, and absolutely adored pillar of his family and community. A wonderful father, husband, grand, and great-grandfather.
“Hy” was a mensch with a jester’s wit who held court at the Seder table and really any table. He made friends everywhere he went. Hy enjoyed being at games heckling any scale of sporting event, though his first love was baseball—living his life through extra innings. He liked his coffee piping hot, his poker friendly, and his fish biting.
Born and raised in Norfolk, Va. in 1926 to Paul and Cecelia Swersky Cohen.
H.D. OLIVER
FUNERAL APTS., INC. Established 1865 OUR FAMILY IS HERE FOR YOUR FAMILY.
We offer professionalism, dignity, and the expert knowledge of Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Jewish funeral customs.
NORFOLK CHAPEL 1501 Colonial Avenue Norfolk 622-7353
LASKIN ROAD CHAPEL 2002 Laskin Road Virginia Beach 428-7880
www.hdoliver.com
OBITUARIES
Hy was a proud World War II Veteran who put himself through college to become an accountant and multi-hyphenate entrepreneur.
Hy is survived by his children: Jan, Shauna, Lundi, and David, grandchildren: Ahbra and Taylor, Eden and Kate, Braden, Zachary, and Krysten, Jacob and Mary, Ellie and Lilah, great-grandchildren: Aden and Fletcher, and extended family Bruce, Kay, Bo, and all of the nieces and nephews who loved him. Special thanks to Stephen Barnes.
Hy passed peacefully on October 2 with his loved ones by his side. At long last, he is on his way to rejoin the Love of His Life, his wife of 65 years, Bette Faye— safe at home plate!
Raise a glass to Hy, L’chaim!
Contact the family for funeral details. Online condolences may be made to the family at hdoliver.com.
Donate to your local SPCA or a Hurricane Ian Fund.
MILTON REID
NORFOLK—Milton J. Reid, 90, died Monday, October 3, 2022 after several month of declining health. His beloved wife, Judy, and his children and grandchildren were by his side when he peacefully passed away.
Milton was born in the Bronx, New York, on June 1, 1932 the son of the late Mark Reid and Rhea Reid. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara Reid. He served in the U.S. Air Force and worked as a window dresser. After moving to Virginia, he worked for Arthur’s Men’s Shop and Fines Men’s Shop, before retiring after 35 years.
Milton was an active Mason, Norfolk Lodge #1 where he became Worshipful Master and a Past Master. He also tutored up-and-coming Masons. Milton was also an avid hockey fan, especially the New York Rangers and Norfolk Admirals. He even had a room dedicated to the sport. He loved hockey. Milton had an outgoing personality and a great sense of humor. Even in his last days, he never lost his humor or jovial spirit.
He is survived by his wife, Judy Reid; his children, Donna VanderHeiden and her husband, Robert; Audrey Henerson and her husband, Mitch; David Reid and his wife, Toni; step-son, John Waltz; step-daughter, Natalie Ewart; grandchildren, Michael VanderHeiden and his wife, Kathy; Trevor Ewart, Ashley Ewart and Gracie Bonner; and great-granddaughter, Molly VanderHeiden, and great-grandson, Liam.
A graveside service was conducted at Princess Anne Memorial Park in Virginia Beach by Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman. Online condolences may be made at hdoliver.com.
MARCIA SCHWAN
NORFOLK—Marcia Solomon Schwan, devoted wife, loving mother, and artist who resided in Tidewater for nearly 70 years, died on September 21, 2022 at the age of 92.
Born May 12, 1930 in Baltimore, Maryland to Dr. Samuel Solomon and Sara S. Solomon, Marcia graduated from the local Park School and in 1951, from Goucher College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. While working in the advertising department of iconic Baltimore emporium Hutzler’s, she began dating Henry Maxwell Schwan, a young attorney serving in the US Army at nearby Aberdeen. The couple married September 11, 1955 in Baltimore and soon settled in Henry’s hometown of Norfolk, Virginia. Always at Henry’s side, Marcia provided constant love, encouragement, and partnership throughout their 66-year marriage. Together they shared a deep devotion to their four children, in whom Marcia instilled a commitment to character and a love of beauty.
Art was a defining element in Marcia’s life—a passion that began in childhood, continued through her school years and winning first prize in a competition hosted by The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, and endured across the decades. While painting daily in her home art studio, Marcia audited classes at Old Dominion University taught by the late artists Charles Sibley and Norman Goodwin, who became friends as well as mentors. Marcia developed cherished friendships with numerous fellow artists locally, and some of her works were presented alongside theirs at museum and gallery exhibitions.
Marcia served on the board of the local Girl Scouts of the USA and as president of the Ohef Sholom Sisterhood. She was a lover of poetry and of books, devouring novels and mysteries. She was equally a fierce competitor on the tennis court in local tournaments and shared her husband’s love of fishing on the Chesapeake Bay and the lakes and rivers of Maine.
Marcia consistently tamed the New York Times crossword puzzle, especially relishing the legendarily difficult Sunday tests, and she was a marvelous cook, known for her splendid desserts. She could always be seen walking her Bedlington Terriers, of which she raised and loved a number across the years.
Chris Sisler, Vice President, Member of Ohef Sholom Temple, Board member of the Berger-Goldrich Home at Beth Sholom Village, James E. Altmeyer, Jr., President, James E. Altmeyer, Sr., Owner
• Family owned and operated since 1917
• Affordable services to fit any budget
• Advance funeral planning
• Professional, experienced, caring staff
• Flexible burial options
• Flexible payment options
Southside Chapel • 5033 Rouse Drive Virginia Beach • 757 422-4000
Maestas Chapel • 1801 Baltic Ave. Virginia Beach • 757 428-1112
Chesapeake Chapel • 929 S. Battlefield Blvd. Chesapeake • 757 482-3311
Denbigh Chapel • 12893 Jefferson Ave. Newport News • 757 874-4200
Approved by all area Rabbis and Chevrah Kadisha
Riverside Chapel • 7415 River Road Newport News • 757 245-1525
www . altmeyerfuneralandcremation . com
SIMON FAMILY PASSPORT TO ISRAEL
Are you a Jewish teen who wants to go to Israel?
Apply at jewishva.org/passport through November 15
The Tidewater Jewish Foundation can help fund the trip through the Simon Family Passport to Israel Fund! • Grants are available for students age 13 to 22, traveling to Israel on an organized and staffed peer trip. • Incentive grants awards are up to 30% eligible expenses (maximum of $6,000 per student).
For more information, contact Ann Swindell aswindell@ujft.org | 757-965-6106 foundation.jewishva.org
Looks Great...Who Did Your Fence?
Since 1955
Southside 321.6700
Peninsula 316.3600
www.herculesfence.com Sales@herculesfence.com
Worry Free Vinyl
Aluminum Ornamental
Custom Wood
OBITUARIES
In addition to her late husband, Henry, who died on February 2, 2022 at age 92, Marcia is predeceased by her older brother, Dr. David Solomon of Baltimore.
She leaves behind her beloved children, Elisabeth of Philadelphia; Andrea of New York City; Henry, Jr. of Framingham, Massachusetts (wife Nancy and daughter Martine); and Lucille Schwan Joergens of New York City (husband Thomas Joergens and children Jacob, Benjamin, and Olivia). She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews (Michael Solomon, Dr. Robert Solomon, Dr. Laurie Solomon, Kathy Solomon; Linda Hecht Schwartz, and Mark Hecht).
A loving mother, artist, and friend, Marcia will be deeply missed.
Funeral services were private. The family wishes to thank the staff at Beth Sholom Village and Suncrest Hospice for providing Marcia excellent care in her final months. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Online condolences may be sent to the family through hdoliver.com.
ESTHER STARK
NORFOLK—Esther Stark of Norfolk, Virginia, passed away on October 5, 2022 at age 100.
She was the daughter of the late Morris and Jennie Stam Lesser and was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 46 years, Louis Stark and sister, Freida Goldstein. She was a long-time member of the Congregation Beth El and its Sisterhood.
A graduate of Maury High School in Norfolk, Esther worked for the Internal Revenue Service for over 40 years assisting the community with income tax preparation. Esther’s life was defined by her generosity and kindness to others. After retiring, she continued to assist friends with their taxes and was a member of the Auxiliary of Norfolk General Hospital.
Left to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Susan Stark of Cambridge, Mass. and Mallory Stark of Brookline, Mass.; and seven nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation for the loving care that Esther received from her devoted friends, as well as the staff at Beth Sholom Village and Tidewater Jewish Family Service.
A graveside funeral service was conducted at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Rabbi Ron Koas from Congregation Beth El and Rabbi Adam Ruditsky from Beth Sholom Home officiated.
Memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Beth El or a charity of the donor’s choice. H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Online condolences may be sent to the family through www.hdoliver.com.
