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Obituaries
CECELIA HIGGER
VIRGINIA BEACH—Cecelia Higger, 95, a resident at Beth Sholom Terrace, passed away peacefully on May 29, 2021 in Virginia Beach.
Cecelia was born in Havana, Cuba to Ida Miller and Sam Rebe. At age 19, Cecelia immigrated to America with her parents and baby sister, Sarita (Sachs). They were reunited with older sister, Rosy (Wrobel) and multiple cousins, aunts, and uncles. Cecelia was always very family oriented and the glue that bonded her family. She was always the life of the party. Cecelia always had a strong work ethic. She sold real estate, owned and operated Higger’s Market in Portsmouth, managed apartment complexes, and helped her beloved husband of 60 years, Sonny, in his coin and gun shop.
Cecelia lived the last seven years of her life at Beth Sholom. She enjoyed socializing, pottery, painting, and her dream was to start a stock club for the Terrace residents. Cecelia’s sense of humor, devotion, temperament and personality won the hearts and devotion of all who knew and loved her.
Cecelia is survived by her daughters, Rochelle Pollack, and her husband, Si, Harriett Hickman and her husband, Clayton, and Marsha Block (Howie), a brother-in-law, Daniel Higger and his wife, Francis, and a brother-in-law, Bert Sachs (Sarita). Cecelia is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Shaun and Kathleen Kravitz, Lisa Kravitz, Scott Block, Jared Hickman, Allison and Shaun Lloyd, Joy Tomlinson and Jerry and BG Pollack, and three great-grandchildren, Sydney Tomlinson, Vanessa Tomlinson and Adelyn Lloyd, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
A funeral service was conducted graveside at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Donations may be made to Beth Sholom of Eastern Virginia, 6401 Auburn Drive, Va. Beach, Va. 23464. Online condolences may be offered to the family at hdoliver.com.
STEVEN LIEBERMAN
NORFOLK—Steven Lieberman, 75, passed away May 27, 2021 at Norfolk Heart Hospital.
Steve was born in Brooklyn, New York on May 6, 1946 to Richard and Esther Margolies Lieberman.
He moved, with his family, to Roanoke, Va. and several years later to Richmond, Va. He graduated from Douglas Freeman High School, VCU, and Washington College of Law.
Steve served as City Attorney of Portsmouth, Va. before entering private practice. Steve loved playing golf, having had three holes in one, all at his favorite course, Cypress Point, in Virginia Beach. He played with friends in the “Lieberman Group” for many years. Steve loved the New York Giants football team and the San Francisco Giants baseball team. He boasted that he was born on the same day as his idol, Willie.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sherry Blum Lieberman. Son, Brian Lieberman, daughter Lisa Thatch, husband John Thatch and his special loves that call him Pop, Ashlyn Lieberman, Evan Lieberman, Tyler Thatch, Hunter Thatch, Tara Thatch, and Duane Lieberman. His sister, Marilyn Eber, South Bend, Indiana who shared his birthday, May 6, sister and brother-in-law, Linda Green and Ernie Smith, of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, loving nieces, cousins, aunts and friends.
A celebration of Steve’s life will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
IRENE IDA BANKS MAZEL
VIRGINIA BEACH—Irene Ida Banks Mazel, 90, passed away on May 9, 2021.
She was born to William and Lottie Banks, one of seven children. She graduated high school at 16 and worked for United Insurance Company from age 17 to 31. She liked to say “I had 47 men under me” to describe her responsibilities.
Irene was active in many local organizations, serving as president of the PTA at the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater and president of the Sisterhood at B’nai Israel Congregation many times.
Irene personally cared for her husband, Willie, for the last 10 years of his life. She was a selfless mother who cared greatly for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Irene was preceded in death by her husband and youngest son, Joel. She is survived by her sons Mark (Hindi) Mazel and David (Jodi) Mazel, a brother Howard Banks, a sister Trudy (Behrooz) Dayanim, and many nieces and nephews. She has nine grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.
Her family thanks The Terrace at Beth Sholom and Freda Gordon Hospice for their care and B’nai Israel Congregation for its love and kindnesses throughout her life.
A graveside service was held at B’nai Israel Cemetery in Norfolk.
Memorial donations may be made to B’nai Israel Congregation.
KITTY FRIEDENBACH SAKS
VIRGINIA BEACH—Kitty Friedenbach Saks, 88, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 9, 2021 with her family by her side.
Kitty lived an extraordinary life, challenged with hardship, struggle, and uncertainty as a young girl, and later as a young adult, blessed with redemption, a loving family, adoring friends and community.
Kitty was a survivor of the horrific atrocities of the Holocaust while living in Austria and later Belgium. Many daring border crossings with her parents to flee to safety through the wilderness in the darkness of night ultimately failed. She was later separated from her family and lived through the war years as a hidden Jewish child under an assumed name and identity in multiple Catholic Convents and orphanages. Her will to survive was driven by a strong personal resolve and sheer determination, empowered by her deep rooted Jewish identity. As a young girl in the convents, she would recite the Shema every evening, a traditional prayer and personal declaration of faith and affirmation of Judaism.
Sponsored by relatives in Norfolk, Va., Kitty and her parents were able to immigrate to the United States following the war. She met her future husband, Abbott, at a B’nai Israel Synagogue social event when she was 17. Kitty and Abbott shared a deep bond, an enduring commitment to each other, and a loving marriage that spanned over 64 years.
Kitty was small in stature, but was large in life, multifaceted, and engaging. She was a wonderful daughter, mother, and grandmother, a terrific cook, and loved to entertain. She oversaw the family clothing business, volunteered for many organizations and causes, and was an animal lover.
In her later years, she embraced a personal mission to support continued education and discussion of The Holocaust. She presented her story at multiple local schools and organizations in the hope that future generations may be enlightened and spared of the hate, evil, and injustices she had witnessed and endured.
Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Tonie S. Wilkins and her husband, Frank of Virginia Beach; her son, David Saks and his wife, MaryLou of Delray Beach, Fla.; and two grandsons, Elliot A. Saks and Adam L. Saks.
Kitty will forever be remembered by all fortunate to have known her, for her quick wit and feisty personality that would magically illuminate and enliven any room.
She leaves a legacy filled with eternal hope and boundless courage, an inspiration forever, to all who read and learn of her life story.
A private family graveside service was conducted in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Contributions to the donor’s favorite charity. H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Online condolences may be sent to the family through www.hdoliver.com.
HARRY SANDLER
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA—Harry Sandler, son of the late Leo Max Sandler and Eva Sherman Sandler, died peacefully in Virginia Beach the morning of May 26, 2021 at the age of 95.
He was predeceased by his brother Samuel and Sam’s wife, Reba.
Harry was born in Norfolk, Virginia on January 29, 1926. He attended Norfolk Public Schools. Harry served in the U.S. Army during the World War II. He was very honored to have served his country. He was a member of Temple Israel in Norfolk, as well as Temple Emanuel in Virginia Beach. Harry was proud of his Jewish heritage.
Harry was co-owner of L.M. Sandler & Sons, the family food business along with his brother. He was instrumental in the growth of Sandler Foods and was known
OBITUARIES
throughout the restaurant industry for his innovation and creativity. His customers were his friends. Harry was a giving and caring person who went out of his way to help people in need, especially children. He was a loving father, grandfather, and an extraordinary and colorful uncle. He lived large and loved large. He was unique. He put a smile on everyone’s face. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Harry and his family were very appreciative of the care and support he received over the years from Jewish Family Service.
Harry is survived by his wife, Connie, daughters, Connie Mulgrew and Donna England, son, John Witcher, Jr. nephews, Art and Steve Sandler, niece Sheri Sandler and their families.
A graveside service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery officiated by Rabbi Michael Panitz.
MARTI J. WATCHEL
PORTSMOUTH—Marti J. Watchel died on May 22, 2021.
She is predeceased by a son, David William Silverstein.
She is remembered by her children, Rabbi Lauren Silverstein Cohn and husband Matt Ruggles, and Jon Steven Silverstein and wife Jodie Knight, and her grandchildren, Micah Cohn, Tali Cohn, Grace Silverstein, and Debbie Silverstein.
The only child of the late Beatrice and Louis Watchel, Marti was born on June 1 1943 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was lucky to have her maternal grandparents very close by and loved spending summers at the shores of New Jersey.
Marti was a smart, passionate, complicated woman, and mother. She taught her children a lot about life, both through her example and through her instruction. Marti’s path through life was not always easy, and those who knew her could tell you that she was always yearning for a brighter horizon. Looking forward meant imagining the next new chapter while at times forgetting the important task of writing the current chapters of her daily life. Her “one day; not too far away” life always included her favorite cat, Suki, sunny days at the beach, and lots of books.
Condolences may be left online at www.altmeyerfh.com.
BERNARD “BERNIE” WEISS
VIRGINIA BEACH—Bernard “Bernie” Weiss passed away peacefully on May 25, 2021 at Sentara Hospice House.
Bernie was the son of Sam and Louise Weiss, and was born in New York, eventually moving to Richmond, Virginia at the age of 13. He was a graduate of VCU and MCV.
Bernie was a local pharmacist employed by Revco, Eckerd, and lastly, Bayview Plaza Pharmacy. This career, which spanned many decades, was his life’s passion. He truly cared about his customers and co-workers, which resulted in many rewarding and lifelong friendships.
Bernie is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Phyllis, son, Samuel and his fiancée Sharon, along with her two sons Brandon and Jason, who he loved like his own grandchildren, daughter, Amy, grandson, Zack and two granddaughters, Ashley and Sam. He is also survived by his loving and supportive sister Marilyn, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Bernie was pre-deceased by his parents and sister, Chickie.
Bernie loved spending quality time with his family and was a very devoted father. He also enjoyed watching sports, especially following the Dallas Cowboys every season.
Donations can be made to National Kidney Foundation, Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, and St Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Dad, your guiding hand on my shoulder will remain with me forever. A daughter could never ask for a more loving dad.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
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
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