OBITUARIES ELSIE HIRSCH VIRGINIA BEACH—Elsie Hirsch, 99, passed away peacefully at home on April 1, 2021, just days shy of her 100th birthday. She was born in Ulm, Germany on April 6, 1921 to Carl and Hilda Moos. In 1939, Elsie immigrated to the United States with her parents as a Holocaust refugee. Her brother, Henry Moos, had arrived a year earlier. After a perilous transatlantic voyage, the family settled in Portsmouth, Va. to begin their new lives. Not long after, Elsie met the love of her life, Jerry Hirsch while working in a garment factory. They married in 1944 and built a life together, welcoming two children, Evelyn and Steve, along the way. Oma, as she was affectionately known by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always lived in the present, preferring not to dwell on past hardships. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jerry, her brother Henry, and her granddaughter Lisa Clerici. Survivors include her children Evelyn ( Jeffrey, of blessed memory) and Steve (Pamela); her grandchildren Carrie Fuchs (Dave), Jessica Fielek and Vanessa Freihofer ( Jim), as well as eight great-grandchildren whom she cherished. She was one of Temple Israel’s earliest members in the 1950’s. She enjoyed being a part of the Temple Israel Sisterhood and Jewish Lodge Brith Sholom. Elsie was known for many things: her unending love and devotion to her family, her talent as a seamstress, her beautiful German accent, and her potato salad that none of us can seem to recreate. She always had a warm smile and a kind nature that will not be forgotten by anyone who knew her. The family would be remiss not to mention the attentive and compassionate care that Elsie received at Beth Sholom Village in the last years of her life. Elsie was beloved by staff and residents alike and she will be lovingly remembered. A graveside service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery by Rabbi Dr. Michael E. Panitz and Cantor Elihu Flax. The service was live-streamed on the Facebook
page of H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Inc. Online condolences may be offered to the family at hdoliver.com. Donations to the Beth Sholom Village.
SEYMOUR BENJAMIN MENDELSSOHN VIRGINIA BEACH—Seymour B. “Baca” Mendelssohn, 78, of Virginia Beach, and formerly of Scranton, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2021, at Beth Sholom Village. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Maxine Marcus Mendelssohn. Born in the Bronx, N.Y., he is the son of the late Irving and Frieda Steinwasser Mendelssohn. Seymour attended Scranton Central High School and went on to attend the University of Scranton, where he graduated magna cum laude with his bachelor of science degree and a master’s degree in business administration. Before his retirement, he was first employed by the Government Accounting Office and then moved to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, working as a program analyst. Seymour was a member of Temple Hesed. Seymour was an Eagle Scout and little league baseball coach. He loved to collect shells in Sanibel Island and won a dance contest during the musical, Grease as he danced with his wife, Maxine. Seymour loved Neil Diamond and was a stamp and coin collector. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. Seymour is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Alan and Gerry Mendelssohn; daughter and son-in-law, Rachel and Eric Anderson; and son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Jennifer Mendelssohn. Seymour is also survived by his four granddaughters, Courtney and Lindsey Anderson and Gracie and Stella Mendelssohn. A graveside service was held in Temple Hesed Cemetery, Dunmore, by Rabbi Daniel Swartz and Cantor Wendi Fried. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Beth Sholom Village for the excellent care they provided. Memorial contributions in Seymour’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association.
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BENITA “BUNNY” MIRMAN NORFOLK—Benita “Bunny” Mirman passed away peacefully on April 5, 2021, surrounded by her three children. Bunny was born on May 23, 1938, to Herman and Pauline Bernstein in Suffolk, Virginia, and moved to Norfolk following her marriage to Stanley (Sonny) Mirman in 1958. She spent much of her life supporting important causes, including ORT, DePaul Hospital Auxiliary, and local law enforcement agencies. Bunny is survived by her three children, Jeri Johnson (Chris), Steven Mirman (Angie) and Mia Hanczaryk (Phil); three grandchildren, Harrison Weisberger, Jessica Mirman, and Samantha Hanczaryk; her brother Dr. Jeffrey Bernstein (Janet) of Atlanta, as well as a host of extended family and close friends. Bunny was predeceased by her husband of 41 years, Stanley “Sonny” Mirman. Bunny was a talented artist who enjoyed sharing her work and will be greatly missed by many who were fortunate enough to call her their friend. A graveside service was conducted at Forest Lawn Cemetery by Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg. Memorial donations to the Fraternal Order of Police Associates, 2501 La Mirage Court, Virginia Beach, Va. 23456, or to a favorite charity. Online condolences can be made at hdoliver.com. JUDGE NORMAN OLITSKY NORFOLK—Judge Norman Olitsky, 96, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2021, after a courageous and debilitating battle with congestive heart failure. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, he was the only child of Jack and Celia Olitsky. His childhood years were happy and full, encompassed by a family of loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Family gatherings meant lots of laughter, good times, and, of course, music. His father’s Philadelphia family provided the same loving experiences, which stayed with Norman throughout his life. Upon graduation from Maury High School, Norman was soon drafted into the U. S. Army during World War II.
In his three years of service at many stateside bases, he sealed his reputation for excellence by playing his saxophone and clarinet in numerous Army bands. He often said it was great to provide some joy and music to the troops. This gift was also recognized in his earlier years in Norfolk, when he was selected as first chair clarinetist in the Norfolk Symphony at a very early age. While still in high school, he also played in the pit in several Norfolk theaters in an effort to supplement family finances during the depression. After being honorably discharged from the Army, Norman attended the Norfolk Division of William and Mary and ultimately graduated from the University of Miami with a business administration degree. His pursuit of a law degree took a three-year hiatus while he ran his parents’ Portsmouth business for his ailing father. He eventually graduated from the University of Georgia Law School. In 1956, Norman returned to Portsmouth with his wife Marcia and began his law practice. These proved to be very busy years, building a law practice; starting a family; and having many community commitments too numerous to name, but included civic; the arts, which included the Musicians’ Local 125, political, and of course, the law. Even after retiring from the bench, he enjoyed supporting the wonderful work of LifeNet Health in Virginia Beach by serving on its board. During Norman’s 35 years of private practice in Portsmouth, Marcia read the law under his supervision; passed the bar; and became the first female attorney in Portsmouth, a tribute to a man who did not have one female in his graduating law class in 1956. By 1975, he helped bring the first female attorney to Portsmouth. They were both trailblazers. Following his 35 years of private practice, he was appointed to the Portsmouth Circuit Court in 1991, and retired in 1999. He continued to serve as a substitute judge throughout the Commonwealth in addition to mediation with The McCammon Group until 2018. His love of the law was life-long, while
