C ommunity / deaths
DEATH NOTICES
DEATH NOTICES
DEATH NOTICES
B A NK S
Howard L. Banks, 80, of Perkasie,
Pennsylvania, passed away on November 23,
2021. Born in Philadelphia on June 27, 1941,
Howard was the son of the late David Banks
and Adele “Ida” Fuller Banks and the brother
of Burton Banks. Howard was a graduate of
Northeast High School in Philadelphia. He
served honorably in the United States Army
during the Vietnam War. He was the sole pro-
prietor of Howard Packaging Industries, Inc.

until his retirement. He was an avid car buff
who loved target shooting, cigars, and talk-
ing politics. Howard is survived by his chil-
dren: Alan (Kimberly) Banks, Jodi Banks and
Jami Towey; and his grandchildren: Cole
Brauer and Logan Brauer. In addition to his
parents, Howard was predeceased by his lov-
ing wife of 52 years, Arlene (Pelta) Banks, his
mother-in-law Frances (Cohen) Pelta, and his
father-in-law, Jacob “Jack” Pelta. A graveside
service was held at King David Memorial Park
in Bensalem, Pennsylvania on November 26,
2021. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations
may be made to the Wounded Warrior
Project. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
B L A US TE I N
Estelle Sandra Blaustein (nee Rosen) on
November 27, 2021. Devoted wife of the late
William M. Blaustein; Loving mother of Eric
(Sonia); Devoted Bubba of Tina and Liam:
Beloved daughter of the late David and Jean
Rosen; Dear sister of the late Marlene Berg-
man. Adoring Aunt of Leonard (Michelle)
Bergman. Service and Interment were
private. Contributions in her memory may be
made to Congregation Beth El of Bucks
County, 375 Stoney Hill Rd, Yardley PA
19067, www.bethelyardley.org/payment.php
GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL- SACKS
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Remembers Monthly archives of
Jewish Exponent Death Notices
are available online.

www.JewishExponent.com B E S S E R
David C. Besser, of Washington Heights, New
York City died too soon on November 30,
2021 at the age of 60. He is survived by his
father, Gilbert M. Besser (who shares his
birthday) (Eleanore, deceased), sister Janet
Gail Besser (Daniel Seibert), brother Marcus
P. Besser (Amy), and his beloved nieces and
nephews Rachael Besser (Rafi Spitzer),
Joseph Besser (Bailey), Aaron Besser, Ray-
mond Seibert and Pauline Seibert, and great
niece and nephew Ellie and Jonah Spitzer.

David loved his family and all things about
the theater. David was born in Philadelphia,
PA, attended Haverford High School, where
he launched his theater career onstage as
Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being
Earnest, before taking his talents backstage.

He graduated from Temple University and
worked at John Wanamaker's in Men's Fur-
nishings before moving to southern Califor-
nia in the 1980s. In the 1990s, he left retail to
follow his passion back to the theater, mov-
ing north where he became the dresser for
the Phantom in the San Francisco produc-
tion of Phantom of the Opera, followed by
work on many other shows. He was active in
his union in California, serving as business
manager for a number of years. In 2012, he
made the move back to the east coast to be
near family, working on Broadway, for the
last several years on Wicked. He continued to
be active in the theater workers union, IATSE.

David was of the generation of young men at
the beginning of the AIDS epidemic and be-
came a champion for AIDS and other organ-
izations related to the arts. Donations in his
memory can be made to the Actors Fund (ht-
tps://actorsfund.org/), a national human ser-
vices organization with a unique understand-
ing of the challenges involved in life in the
entertainment industry.

JOSEPH LEVINE and SONS
www.levinefuneral.com G R AY S ON
Shirley Grayson, November 23, 2021, of
Cherry Hill. Wife of the late Harry Grayson.

Mother of Mitchell (Jamie) Grayson, Phyllis
(Kevin) Stockton, and Zachary (Marcia)
Grayson. Grandmother of Amy Beth Grayson,
Ariel (Daniel) Levine, Elizabeth Caitlin Stock-
ton, Avi Tzvi Grayson, and Alexander Shmuel
Yosef Grayson. Grandmother of Liam Chaim
Levine. Contributions may be made to Jew-
ish Family and Children’s Services, jfcsnj.org
PLATT MEMORIAL CHAPELS, Inc.

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DECEMBER 9, 2021
JEWISH EXPONENT
DEATH NOTICES
L E O N A RD
G R AV I TZ
Arthur Gravitz, 99, of Cheltenham,
Pennsylvania, was an IRS agent for more
than 35 years, and had been a principal wit-
ness in several major felony tax trials. Dur-
ing WWII, he served in the Pennsylvania
State Guard stationed in Philadelphia. He was
an active member of the Federation Allied
Jewish Appeal. He was a graduate of the
Wharton School of the University of
Pennsylvania (ev. 1949), and a recipient of
the Pi Delta Epsilon Gold Key Award. He is
survived by 5 children, 9 grandchildren, and
5 great-grandchildren. Graveside services
were held at Montefiore cemetery. Contribu-
tions in his name may be made to the
Alzheimer's Association 399 Market Street,
Suite 250 Philadelphia, PA. 19106, the Phil-
adelphia Jewish Federation, the Jewish Na-
tional Fund for a tree to be planted in Israel in
his name, or to a charity of the donor's
choice. Honor the
memory of your
loved one …
22 DEATH NOTICES
Cylvia Leonard (nee Love) died on November
29, 2021 at the age of 100. Wife of the late
Dr. Leo; mother of Dr. Barry (Roslyn) Le-
onard, Carole Britchkow-Nunberg, Rona
(Barry) Ginsburg and the late Richard Le-
onard; also survived by 9 grandchildren and
13 great grandchildren. Contributions in her
memory may be made to the Philadelphia
Chapter of Hadassah, 1518 Walnut Street,
Suite 402, Philadelphia, PA 19102.

GOLDSTEINS' ROSENBERG'S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
I T Z E N S O N
Edward E. Itzenson, 93, November 30, 2021
of Elkins Park, PA. Beloved husband of the
late Shirley (nee Shechtman). Loving father
of Kathi Cotton & Gary Itzenson (Leslie).

Brother of Murray Itzenson (Linda), Joyce
Berkowitz & the late Nancy D’Allesandro.

Proud grandfather of Gregory (Hallie), Jord-
ana (Scott), Tova, Alison & Jenna and ador-
ing great grandfather of Georgie, Penn, Rex,
Sean, Shayna and Jace. Itzenson added life to
years, not just years to life. A native Phil-
adelphian, Itzenson graduated as Class Pres-
ident from Central High School (184 th Class)
& earned a B.S. in Education and a Masters
in Education Administration from Temple as a
member, president & then newsletter editor
of the Phi Delta Kappa Honors Society. He
served in the Army as a cryptographer with
top secret clearance in Japan with honorable
discharge. He dedicated his life as a leader of
the Philadelphia School System for 40+ years
revamping city wide science curriculums and
teacher in-service courses coupled with long
tenures as principal of George W. Childs Ele-
mentary School and Benjamin Rush Middle
School. Select other accomplishments in-
clude founding of Sesame Day Camp and
WonderKey School, singing in several choirs
& serving as newsletter editor and executive
board member of Philadelphia Public School
Retired Employees Association. While well
known in the community for impacting many
lives, Itzenson’s true pride and joy was his
family who cherished him. Loving, positive
and kind always, he will be missed by all.

Family is holding private funeral and shiva
services. Contributions in his memory may
be made to the Jewish Federation of Phil-
adelphia. JOSEPH LEVINE and SONS
www.levinefuneral.com K A U F F M A N
Honorable Judge Bruce W. Kauffman, 86, of
Bala Cynwyd, PA, died Monday, November
29, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Carol
(nee Jackson); children: Brad (Joan), Margie
Sherr (Tony), Robert (Stacy), Lauri Damrell
(Jim), Christine Tracy (Jeff); grandchildren:
Sara, Stefanie, Joseph, Isabelle, Jack, Lily,
Zoe; and brother, Alan. Memorial contribu-
tions may be made to The Do Gooders, to
help enrich the lives of the under-served in
the Philadelphia area, www.dogoodersdobet-
ter.org or 18 Clwyd Road, Bala Cynwyd, PA
19004. WEST LAUREL HILL FUNERAL HOME
www.westlaurelhill.com L O W E
Rosalyn Shirley Lowe (nee Land) age 100,
passed away on November 25, 2021. Be-
loved matriarch and inspiration to her entire
family. Predeceased by husband Bernard
Lowe and companion Mort Rosenthal. Deeply
devoted mother of Lynne Jacobus (Alvin) and
Judith Garfield (Steven). Adored grandmoth-
er of Joby Gendron (Marshall), Abby Fish-
man (Brian), Jamie Garfield (Mariclare) and
Katy Schansinger (Michael). Cherished great-
grandmother of 8. Loving aunt to June and
Harry. An extraordinary woman of beauty,
strength and intelligence. The legacy of her
warmth, generosity and powerful connection
to family will be with us always. Life was al-
ways better with Roz in it. Service and inter-
ment private. Donations in her memory can
be made to the charity of your choice.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
O L S O N
Sallie D. Olson (nee Dorfman), passed away
on November 23, 2021. Wife of the late Nor-
man Olson. Mother of Sharon (Jerry) Manas
and the late Joseph Olson (daughter-in-law
Heather Olson). Grandmother of Elizabeth
Manas, Alex Olson and Zoe Olson. Contribu-
tions in her memory may be made to Reform
Congregation Keneseth Israel Sacred Music
Fund, www.kenesethisrael.org.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
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A Community Remembers
Monthly archives of Jewish Exponent
Death Notices are available online.

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could still touch her toes well into her late
80’s. One of Margy’s greatest joys was act-
ively participating in the lives of her four
grandchildren as a fun-loving, easy-going,
young-at-heart grandmother, watching them
progress from childhood to adulthood to par-
enthood. She was an excellent cook and
baker known for DEATH
many NOTICES
signature dishes and
enjoyed teaching her children and grandchil-
dren to bake. In 2017, after living in the same
home in Northeast Philadelphia for more than
61 years, Margy and Milton moved to a seni-
or community in Framingham, MA to be
closer to their daughter, Janice Merion-
Billings. Margy was delighted with the birth
of her two great-granddaughters, Jordyn in
February 2019 and Aviva in March 2021. She
proudly told everyone that family was the
center and most important part of her life.

Recounting and reliving episodes of her life
was an important facet of Margy’s relation-
ships with family members and friends. Later
in life, she wrote dozens of short stories.

These were often self-reflective or descript-
ive of her feelings and reactions to diverse
topics and events. One such short story,
“Who Am I?” was read at her funeral. Margy
Merion is survived by her husband Milton;
her son Robert Merion (Debbie), and her
daughter Janice Merion-Billings (Ron
Parker); four grandchildren, Alison Arena
(Adam), Sarah Merion (Jeffrey Corrado),
Zachary Billings, and Joshua Billings; and
two great-grandchildren, Jordyn Grey Arena
and Aviva Zazie Merion Corrado. We miss her
deeply but take solace in so many wonderful
memories. May her memory be for a bless-
ing. C OMMUNITY / deaths
DEATH NOTICES
M E R I O N
Marjorie (Margy) Merion, 90, died peacefully
on October 27, 2021, in the Framingham, MA
home she shared with Milton Merion, her be-
loved husband of almost 70 years. Margy
was buried at the Framingham-Natick Hebrew
Cemetery in Natick, MA in a private family ce-
remony on October 28, 2021, surrounded by
beautiful century-old oak trees, their multi-
colored leaves floating quietly to the ground
on a crisp autumn day. She was interred in a
traditional plain pine box and wore the long
mink coat given to her by Milton more than
50 years ago. Born March 5, 1931, in Phil-
adelphia, PA, Margy was raised, educated,
and worked in the city of her birth. Margy
identified strongly with her Jewish faith and
was confirmed at Reform Congregation
Keneseth Israel in 1947. Margy became a
certified X-ray technician and worked in the
office of Dr. Samuel Levine, a prominent gen-
eral surgeon in Philadelphia. Following an in-
troduction by Margy’s cousin, Norman Knee,
her courtship with Milton Merion led to their
wedding on November 11, 1951, at the Penn
Sheraton Hotel. Following a romantic honey-
moon in Miami, featuring an airplane ride and
a rented convertible, the couple moved to
Norfolk, VA while Milton served in the US
Navy. They returned to Philadelphia to start a
family in 1956. Later, Margy worked along-
side her husband at Milton C. Merion Ocean
Freight Forwarders, Inc. in downtown Phil-
adelphia until they both retired. Throughout
her married life, Margy proudly maintained a
Jewish home, teaching her children and
grandchildren about the rich culture and tra-
ditions of the Jewish holidays and their many
culinary accompaniments. Outside of family
and work, Margy had many lifelong interests
and hobbies. Margy was an avid art enthusi-
ast; she painted watercolors, created com-
plex crewel projects, attended college art his-
tory classes, and toured art museums in
every city she visited. She was a voracious
reader (especially biographies), green-thumb
gardener, mahjongg enthusiast, and intrepid
traveler with Milton to European and South
American countries, Mexico, and several
Caribbean islands. Margy was always ener-
getic; swimming and tennis were her sports.

Her Zodiac sign was Pisces; true to the water
sign, time spent in swimming pools and the
ocean centered and delighted her. She dis-
played a flowing physical grace and unpre-
tentious style throughout her life, both in and
out of the water. She played tennis for years
at Northeast Racquet Club in Northeast
Philly. Off the court, she and Milton could of-
ten be found closely following that week’s
major professional tennis tournament on TV
or in person at the Spectrum. Margy was al-
ways knowledgeable about the top seeded
players. She also loved dance and spoke of-
ten about having been a serious ballet stu-
dent as a young child and performed on
stage at the Academy of Music. As an adult,
she did aerobics and took up yoga in her
50’s. She delighted in showing people she
could still touch her toes well into her late
80’s. One of Margy’s greatest joys was act-
ively participating in the lives of her four
grandchildren as a fun-loving, easy-going,
young-at-heart grandmother, watching them
progress from childhood to adulthood to par-
enthood. She was an excellent cook and
baker known for many signature dishes and
enjoyed teaching her children and grandchil-
dren to bake. In 2017, after living in the same
home in Northeast Philadelphia for more than
61 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM
years, Margy and Milton moved to a seni-
or community in Framingham, MA to be
closer to their daughter, Janice Merion-
Billings. Margy was delighted with the birth
R E I C H L I N
Rita R. Reichlin passed away on Thanksgiv-
ing Day, November 25, 2021. She was 90
years young. Rita was born in Pittsburgh, to
Louis and Anne Rubinoff. She is survived by
her husband of 70 years, Stanley (Sandy),
her brother and his wife, Richard and Jo Ann
Rubinoff, and her sister Marcia Rosenthal.

Rita is also survived by her children Caryn
and her husband Malcolm Johnson, and
Jonathan and his wife Lisa Bardarson. Her
youngest son, William (Billy), predeceased
her. Rita’s grandchildren include Dr. Jaime
Johnson, Chloe and her husband Ken Grady,
Anna and her husband Ian Taylor, and Rae
and Lily Reichlin. Her great-grandchildren are
Tyler and Kaylee Grady, Coraline Johnson,
and Sloane and Mikayla Taylor. Rita gradu-
ated from the University of Pennsylvania,
College of Arts and Sciences, following her
initial college years at Penn State, where she
met Sandy. After Sandy’s four-year enlist-
ment in the US Air Force, they moved to the
Philadelphia area, where they lived first in
Havertown, then Wynnewood, and raised
their family. After working for the Women’s
International League for Peace and Freedom,
Rita joined the staff at the Jewish Com-
munity Centers of Greater Philadelphia and
became the Director of the Daroff Campus for
Senior Adult Studies. During her 16 year ten-
ure, the program expanded to 5 campuses
and over 1000 students. Accordingly, in 1977
she was recognized by The American Jewish
Congress as Woman of The Year and awar-
ded the prestigious 32 nd Annual Louise Wa-
terman Wise Award. After retiring from the
JCC, Rita became the Coordinator of the
Senior Associates Program at the University
of Pennsylvania. This innovative program
provided access to senior adults interested in
attending a variety of undergraduate classes
at Penn’s College of Arts and Sciences. One
of Rita’s greatest pleasures, in the years to
follow, was serving as the beloved RiRi to
five granddaughters and five great grandchil-
dren. She was notable for her beauty and in-
tellect, and for her ever-present elegance, up-
right posture, and stimulating conversation.

Services were private. The family respect-
fully requests contributions in lieu of flowers
be made to Ronald McDonald House, in
memory of Rita Reichlin at
www.philarmh.org or Philadelphia Ronald
McDonald House, 3925 Chestnut Street,
Phila. PA 19104.

JOSEPH LEVINE and SONS
www.levinefuneral.com DEATH NOTICES
DEATH NOTICES
S E G A L
R O BI N
Mildred “Millie” Segal (nee Strulowitch), on
Nov. 30, 2021. Beloved wife of the late
Lawrence Segal, loving mother of Eileen (Bill)
Rosner and the late Barbara (Preston)
Kuptsow, adoring grandmother of Scott
(Eileen) Kuptsow, Amy (Eric) Fels, Abby
(Jeremy) Schiffman, Jamie (Jon) Dorfman
and Andrew (Jennifer) Rosner; also survived
by 13 great grandchildren. Contributions in
her memory may be made to the American
Cancer Society, 1818 Market Street., Phila.,
PA 19103 or a charity of the donor’s choice.

JOSEPH LEVINE and SONS
www.levinefuneral.com Jerome Robin passed away on December 2,
2021. Husband of Paula Robin (nee Cohen).

Loving father of Michael Robin and Deborah
(Michael) Cohen. Devoted grandfather of Jen-
nifer Cohen, Pamela (Mark) Sturgis and Alex
Cohen. Great Grandfather of Dean Henry
Sturgis. Services were private. Contributions
in his memory may be made to a charity of
the donor’s choice.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
S C H M U C K L E R
SCHWARTZ Ferne Schwartz (nee Brait) on November 14,
2021. Wife of William; mother of Cynthia
(Dennis) Tice, Sally Ford, and Philip (Susan)
Schwartz; sister of the late Martin J. Brait;
grandmother of Matt (Ivy) Ford, Sara (Will)
Eversden, Samuel Schwartz, Jesse Schwartz,
Benjamin Tice, and Lilah (Danny) Reisner.

Contributions in her memory may be made to
Abramson Senior Care or Beth Sholom Con-
gregation or Jewish Federation of Greater
Philadelphia. GOLDSTEINS' ROSENBERG'S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
TO PLACE A MEMORIAL AD
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DEATH NOTICES
Shirley Hyman Schmuckler July 6, 1929 -
November 26, 2021. Beloved mother of Dr.

Elliott (Jo) Schmuckler, Helene (Gary) Class,
Marjorie (Dr. John Antoine) Labadie, and
Louis (Suzanne) Schmuckler. Proud grand-
mother of Dr. Noah Schmuckler, Sara
Schmuckler (Seth Schmitt-Hall), David
Schmuckler, Geoffrey Class, Evan Class, Al-
exander Class, Hannah Schmuckler, Jordan
Schmuckler, Daniel Schmuckler, and doting
great-grandmother of Talula Jade Hall. Sister
to Bob (Marcia) Hyman, and the late Ellis
(Iris) Hyman. She was predeceased by her
loving husband Dr. Joseph Seymour
Schmuckler. Shirley loved travel, the beach,
the casino, Scrabble, reading, teaching, sci-
ence and horticulture, fine art, chocolate,
Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. She had a
long and successful career in real estate.

Shirley resided in the family home in Haver-
town, which she designed herself and built
with her husband. She was a kind friend to
many and she left this world a better place.

The family would like to thank Rosalind Best
for her years of care and friendship. She
made Shirley’s final years brighter. Contribu-
tions in her memory may be made to a char-
ity of the donor's choice.

GOLDSTEINS' ROSENBERG'S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
S M O L O W
Manuel Smolow, butcher and Korean War
veteran, died on December 1, 2021. Hus-
band of the late Claire R. (nee Nicoletti), fath-
er of Denise R. (James) Callahan and the late
Bernard (Jennie) Smolow. Funeral Services
were private.

GOLDSTEINS' ROSENBERG'S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
S T E I N B E R G
Harvey Steinberg, on November 28, 2021.

Beloved husband of Ellarose (nee Resnick);
Loving father of Scott (Amy) Steinberg, Matt
(Rachel) Steinberg, Charlee (Robert) Sterling,
and Lara Leimberg; Dear brother of Charles
(Eileen Dwell) Steinberg and Jay Steinberg;
Devoted grandfather of Sarah, Jacob, Harris-
on, Liv, Max, Aaron, and Julia. Contribu-
tions in his memory may be made to Central
H.S. Alumni (AACHS), Harvey Steinberg
Fund, PO Box 26580, Phila., PA 19141.

GOLDSTEINS' ROSENBERG'S
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