obituaries
Philanthropist Rosalie Gerson
Dies at 95
HEATHER M. ROSS | STAFF WRITER
L ongtime area philanthropist
Rosalie Gerson died on April 26
at Waverly Heights in Gladwyne.

She was 95.

“She was devoted to music, to
Israel, to the synagogue and to Jewish-
American causes,” granddaughter Leah
Popowich said.

She served on several boards of Jewish
organizations, including the board of
trustees for the Jewish Federation of
Greater Philadelphia, the national board
of the American Association of Ben
Gurion University, American Friends
of Hebrew University and Adath Israel
26 MAY 5, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM
on the Main Line. She also was presi-
dent of Adath Israel and was involved
with Gratz College, Central Agency
for Jewish Education, HIAS, Jewish
Community Centers of Philadelphia and
the American Jewish Committee.

Her devotion to the arts included
the Opera Company of Philadelphia,
Philadelphia Orchestra, Curtis Institute
of Music and the Academy of Vocal Arts,
among others.

While her philanthropy was a signifi -
cant time commitment, she always tried to
do it while her children were at school so
she could be there for every piano recital
and play, family members said. She took
her children to museums and orchestras
as oft en as she could. Gerson also taught
Rosalie Gerson and past Jewish Exponent articles featuring her
Photo collage by Heather M. Ross
her children and grandchildren about the
importance of community.

“We would collect donations for Allied
Jewish Appeal door to door. We’ve come
a long way since that. I would go down
to Federation with her and listen in on
meetings and understand the importance
of supporting our local Jewish commu-
nity and also a strong love of Israel and
understanding that importance as well,”
daughter Deena Gerson said.

Deena Gerson said philanthropy and
community involvement were always a
part of the family. Rosalie Gerson would
take her grandchildren to meetings, to
phonathons and to award dinners.

“My grandmother’s mom, whom I was
named aft er, was also very involved in the
community. My grandmother grew up
with it. [It’s] passed down from generation
to generation. It’s just what you did. It’s
how you live your life,” Popowich said.

Rosalie Gerson, who was bat mitzva-
hed at Adath Israel in her 60s, devoted
much of her time to making sure her
children and grandchildren had the
foundation to have Jewish households
themselves. Th at included taking all
three of her daughter’s children to Israel
individually. Her love for the community showed
itself in other ways, too, with Shabbat
dinners that included many guests
— dinners her family says many still
remember. “In the condolences I’m getting from
people, it’s like she was Philadelphia roy-
alty,” Deena Gerson said.

While her love for the community was
notable, so was her love for her husband,
Irv Gerson. Aft er just three dates, he
proposed marriage. Th ey were married
for more than 60 years before his death
in 2012.

Th e couple was inseparable, even in
death. “It’s hard to talk about Eemy without
talking about Papa, but I’ll try. It’s hard
not to think of them as a unit, but they
were individuals and we had individual
relationships with each of them, which
was extraordinary,” Popowich said.

Born June 9, 1926, Gerson grew up
in Passaic, New Jersey, and moved to
Philadelphia with her family as a teen-
ager. Later, she lived in Elkins Park,
where she began her lifelong journey
with gardening.

With her daughter, Deena Gerson,
Rosalie worked on her rock garden every
spring and summer. Th e two would search
for beautiful or interesting rocks to use for
the garden. Th ey also weeded the garden
and meticulously cared for the periwinkle
fl owers and mountain pink.

“A rock garden is built into a lit-
tle slope. Diff erent colors [of fl owers]
bloom at diff erent times. Th e rocks and
their shapes become a big part of it;
you wouldn’t do it on a fl at surface. Th e
rocks hold the plants and soil in place,”
Deena Gerson said.

Rosalie Gerson taught her family
about her love for trees with the knowl-
edge she learned from studying hor-
ticulture at the Barnes Foundation in
Merion. She took pride in being able
to identify trees even in winter, just by
looking at the bark and branches.

Rosalie Gerson is survived by her fi ve
children, Ben (Leslye), David (Debra),
Deena, Jesse (Eloise) and Esther
Sharon; eight grandchildren; and 12
great-grandchildren. JE



BRAVERMAN
Annette (nee Forman), April 21,
2022, of Warwick, PA. Beloved
wife of the late Milton Braverman;
loving mother of Bobby (Susan)
Braverman and Mark Braverman;
cherished grandmother of Made-
line. In lieu of flowers, contributions
in Annette’s memory may be made
to Annette Braverman Technology
Fund at Temple Beth Am (oyrtbeth-
am.org) or American Cancer Soci-
ety Bike-a-Thon (acsbike.org).

JOSEPH LEVINE AND SONS
www.levinefuneral.com FANSHEL
Seymour, age 86, passed away
April 23, 2022. Beloved husband
of Sandra Fanshel (nee Presser)
Loving father of Bill Fanshel. Dear
brother of Sheila Fanshel. Con-
tributions in his memory may be
made to a charity of the donor’s
choice. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
GERSON Rosalie Klein Gerson was born
June 9, 1926 in the Hunts Point
Hospital in the Bronx and grew up
in Passaic, New Jersey, with par-
ents Daniel and Anna Klein and
sister Ruth (Colten). She excelled
at the piano and spent summers as
camp counselor at Blue Mountain
Camp in the Catskills. At the young
age of 16, Rosalie, being a gifted
student, was accepted to and be-
gan as a student at the University
of Pennsylvania as a music ma-
jor. There she met her soon-to-be
husband, Irv, who had graduated
from medical school and was do-
ing graduate work at Penn. They
were engaged three weeks later.

Rosalie had a passion for opera,
the orchestra and Jewish organiza-
tions. She served on the Board of
Trustees for the Jewish Federation
of Philadelphia; the National Board,
American Association of Ben Gu-
rion University; American Friends
of Hebrew University; the Board
of Temple Adath Israel; President
of Temple Adath Israel; and was
involved with Gratz College, the
Philadelphia Orchestra, Central
Agency for Jewish Education, HIAS
(Hebrew Immigration Society),
Jewish Community Centers of Phil-
adelphia, American Jewish Com-
mittee, Hebrew Sunday School
Society, American-Israel Cultural
Society, Opera Company of Phil-
adelphia, Curtis Institute of Music,
Academy of Vocal Arts, a member
of the Cosmopolitan Club of Phila-
delphia, the Union League, APAC
Foreign Policy Research Institute.

Rosalie was Chairperson of Phil-
adelphia Women’s Division Allied
Jewish Appeal, Chairwoman Wom-
en’s Division State of Israel Bonds,
Phila., and then National Chair-
person Women’s Division State of
Israel Bonds, National Board Allied
Jewish Appeal, Chairperson Ameri-
can Associates Ben Gurion Univer-
sity. As well, she was Woman of the
year, Hebrew University; Woman of
Valor, State of Israel Bonds; Wom-
an of the Year Ben Gurion Universi-
ty; Jerusalem Award National State
of Israel Bonds; Keter Shem Tov,
Adath Israel; Tribes of Israel award
State of Israel Bonds; Woman of
the Year American Jewish Con-
gress; Woman of the Year Crohns
and Colitis Foundation. Rosalie
studied horticulture at the Barnes
Foundation in Merion with Mrs.

Barnes and had a most spectacu-
lar rock garden in Elkins Park. She
could identify every tree she saw
by its leaves, and even in the winter
by its bark. Rosalie even managed
to be Cub Scout Den Mother and
then Brownie Scout Leader and
uniformed Girl Scout Leader for
her children. She accomplished all
of this while being a ‘stay at home
mom,’ grandmother, great grand-
mother and loving partner to Irv for
60 years! Rosalie is survived by her
five children Ben (Leslye), David
(Debra), Deena, Jesse (Eloise),
Esther Sharon, eight grandchildren,
and 12 Great-grandchildren. In lieu
of flowers, donations may be made
in Rosalie’s honor to the Waverly
Heights Foundation, 1400 Waverly
Road, Gladwyne, PA 19035.

KRASSEN Richard Krassen, age 81, passed
away April 27, 2022. Beloved hus-
band of Carole Cohn. Loving fa-
ther of Josh Krassen (Teri), Adam
Krassen (Susan Gaines), and Paul
Krassen (Nicolle) and loving stepfa-
ther of Alexander Cohn (Elizabeth
Snodgrass), Deborah Cohn (Glenn
Kubota), and Sharon Cohn (John
Bansemer). Dear brother of Ellen
Rosen (Howard). Adoring grand-
father of Blair, Sydney, Eli, Miles,
Erin, and Charlie. Contributions in
his memory may be made to Shoot
for the Stars Institute https://shoot-
forthestarslegends.org/donations/ or the Greenberg Pancreatic Can-
cer Institute at Fox Chase Cancer
Center www.foxchase.org
GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
RAAB DAVID on April 17, 2022. Beloved
son of the late Enid and Jay Raab;
Loving brother of Leah (Candy)
Bergman and Robert Raab; He
was a graduate of Cheltenham HS
and Montco JR College. He was a
past Fire Chief and life member of
the Elkins Park Fire Co. as well as
developer of Jade Thumb Designs
landscaping co responsible for im-
plementation of new construction
landscape designs for many major
shopping centers, hospitals and
homes around the Phila area. Con-
tributions in his memory may be
made to American Technion Soci-
ety, www.ats.org.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
SCHWALB Lois Susan Schwalb, age 78 of
Delray Beach, Florida and native
Philadelphian passed away on April
20, 2022. Beloved wife of Neil, lov-
ing mother of Marc Schwalb (Amy
Schwalb) and Wendy Cotey (Chris
Cotey). Cherished grandmother of
Madison Cotey. She was the loving
daughter of Frank and Matilda Bell.

Lois extended her nurturing ways
by becoming a kindergarten teach-
er. She graduated from Temple
University, where she met Neil. She
then went on to get a Master’s de-
gree in Education with a specialty in
Mathematics at Arcadia University.

She was an avid tennis and bridge
player and she and Neil enjoyed
traveling the world and dancing to-
gether. Donations can be made to
the Pap Corps.

SMITH, ESQ
Janice (nee Diamond)
April 26, 2022 of Philadelphia, PA.

Beloved wife of the late Ric Smith
and the late Leon Entenberg; lov-
ing mother of Becky (Gary) Kessel
and Aaron (Michele) Smith; adoring
grandmother of Benjamin (Lauren),
Jordyn, Robb, Aaron, Nicholas, and
Izabella; cherished great-grand-
mother of Otto. In lieu of flowers,
contributions in her memory may
be made to Uncle Neil’s Home (un-
cleneilshome.org/janice). JOSEPH LEVINE AND SONS
www.levinefuneral.com SOLOMON
Beverly Nan Solomon (nee Hor-
witz) on April 25, 2022. Beloved
wife of Steve, devoted mother
of Eric Solomon and Ami (Brian)
Goodman, sister of Janice (Mel)
Greiff, cherished Mom Mom of Ty-
ler, Taylor and Kyle.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
STERN Marlene Alper Stern, beloved wife,
mother and friend to many, passed
away on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at
Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin,
Maryland at the age of 89. She was
surrounded by her loving family.

Nicknamed “Mickey”, she resided
in Ocean Pines, MD before health
complications overcame her. Her
life was a collection of wonderful
experiences and joyous memories.

She was a graduate of South Phila-
delphia High School, married Ray-
mond Stern and together raised 2
boys, Glenn and Michael. Marlene
taught night school interior design
and served as an administrator for
many years at Cheltenham High
School. Marlene (“Mickey”) is also
survived by Glenn’s wife, Lisa and
Mike’s wife, Colleen who were to-
gether as a family with her in her
final hours. The surviving family
includes two grandchildren and 3
great grandchildren. She is prede-
ceased by husband Ray, mother
Miriam, father Andrew, and sister
Marcia. WEINBERG
Esther Weinberg passed away
peacefully in her sleep on Sunday,
April 10, 2022, at 7:40 pm in Proc-
torville, Ohio at the Wyngate Assist-
ed Living Facility. She was 94 years
old and is survived by her son,
Chuck Weinberg, her daughter,
Diane Johnson, her grandchildren
Aaron Weinberg, Jacob Weinberg,
Kimberly Amy, Ashley Johnson
and her great grandchildren Gwen-
dolyn Amy and Parker McGlaun.

Born in Philadelphia, she was the
youngest daughter of Maurice and
Minnie Merion’s eight children. As
Ukrainian immigrants, her parents
set up shop in a furniture store in
West Philadelphia. Esther played
softball at Overbrook High School,
which was unusual for women in
the 1940’s. She was a dedicated
Phillies fan and followed the team
so closely, she was able to pre-
dict when they would start winning
again, like when Jimmy Rollins
came off the DL! Esther also en-
joyed folk dancing and traveled to
the Art Museum from Levittown for
years to join with others who shared
her passion. Another interest of Es-
ther’s was getting involved political-
ly. She was an active member of the
Women’s International League for
Peace and Freedom, and marched
in support of Civil Rights, the Nu-
clear Test Ban Treaty, and against
the War in Vietnam. Donations can
be made in her memory at: https://
www.wilpf.org WOLF
LOIS B. (nee Blum)-Passed away
on April 23, 2022. Wife of the late
Edward Wolf. Mother of Gary (Vic-
ki) Wolf, Robin (Gary) Risler and
Terri (Carl) Weiner. Sister of Sandy
Levin. Grandmother of Sam (Me-
lissa) Wolf, Sean (Lynsey) Wolf,
Jeremy (Melissa) Wolf, Joelle (Ari)
Risler Kleinman, Zachary (Lori)
Risler, Scott (Caroline) Weiner,
Michael Weiner and the late Court-
ney Risler. Also survived by 13
great-grandchildren. Contributions
in her memory may be made to
HIS Breast Cancer Awareness, 1
S. Iroquois Ave., Margate City, NJ
08402, www.hisbreastcancer.org/
donate.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
Family owned and Operated since 1883
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