C OMMUNITY / deaths
DEATH NOTICES
S C H W A M
PEARLSTEIN It is with much love and profound sadness
that we report the passing of Joan Ostrum
Pearlstein of Philadelphia on October 25th,
peacefully surrounded by her family, at the
age of 83. Joan was a woman of many in-
terests: an avid reader, an active member of
Beth Am Israel synagogue, a devoted sports
fan, and an athlete herself. When she wasn’t
playing tennis or golf you could see her root-
ing for the Eagles or passionately following
the Phillies. She had been a baseball fan
since she was a girl, when she and a friend
founded and were co-presidents of the Lou
Limmer Fan Club (of the old Philadelphia
A’s), of which they were the only two mem-
bers. Joan was the center of her extended
family, and especially cherished her special
relationship with her six grandchildren. As a
mother she spent endless hours driving her
kids to and from their practices and watch-
ing every single game, and did the same as a
grandmother. Her generosity and love went
beyond words. Joan Hannah Ostrum was
born on December 24, 1937 in Germantown,
and grew up above her father’s pharmacy,
where as a little girl she would assist making
milkshakes in the old-fashioned soda foun-
tain. She graduated with a degree in Educa-
tion from Temple in 1958 and began teach-
ing at Stokley Elementary School in Straw-
berry Mansion. In 1960 Joan loaned a dress
to a girlfriend who had a date with a young
med student, and dragged him over to Joan’s
house to show it off. Two weeks later that
med student, Phil Pearlstein, asked Joan out
on their first date. They went on to marry and
spend 60 wonderful years together. Joan was
incredibly resilient and overcame the loss of
her own mother as a small child to create a
wonderful life for herself, her husband, and
their three beautiful children. She and Phil
loved the Jersey shore, and spent much of
their free time in a house they bought in
Ventnor, NJ in 1966. In addition to raising
their children and overseeing Phil’s medical
practice, Joan always had an artistic eye and
an elegant sense of style, which led to a re-
warding career as an antique dealer. Keeping
fit was also a priority: Every morning for 40
years Joan and her dear friend Bobbie would
walk for miles, then join the regulars at Mur-
ray’s Delicatessen for breakfast. Joan was an
intensely strong woman. Before succumbing
to a glioblastoma, she had survived two pre-
vious cancers and was even hit by a car in
2019 and walked away without a scratch, at-
tending her usual Pilates class that same af-
ternoon. She always talked about how lucky
she was to have such a loving and close fam-
ily, and fought till the end to be with them.

Because of that determination, in the last six
months of her life she was present to celeb-
rate various family milestones, including an
elementary school graduation, two college
graduations, her 60th wedding anniversary,
and the weddings of her two oldest grand-
children. She was very insistent how grateful
she was to have had such a great life. Joan is
survived by her husband Philip, her children
Robert (Cindy), Ferne (Robert Edwards), and
James (Karen), her grandchildren Haley (Billy
Haberstroh), Ian (Jenny), Alex, Jake, Jenna,
and Eloise, and her sister Frances Ostrum
Gould. She was pre-deceased by her mother
Freda, her father Isadore, and her sister Shir-
ley Ostrum Tapper. Graveside services were
held on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at
Haym Salomon Memorial Park, Frazer, PA.

Memorial donations may be made to a char-
ity of your choice in Joan’s memory.

JOSEPH LEVINE and SONS
www.levinefuneral.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM
Ronnie (Rosalind Jane) Schwam (nee
Merow), age 91, passed away peacefully on
October 23, 2021, in hospice, after a five year
battle with Dementia. Wife of Gerry and best
soulmate for 70 years. Mother of Ellen and
Lou Nolan and Sally and Pat Serio. Grand-
mother of Matt and Adrienne, Jeff, Peter and
Rebekah, Kevin and Shelby. Mother of Kenny
who unfortunately passed away 20 years ago.

A true renaissance woman, world traveler in-
cluding all seven continents, an entrepreneur
with great taste and vision who ran her own
interior design firm and even a licensed air-
plane pilot. A homemaker, social worker,
school teacher were among her many en-
deavor’s. A graduate of the University of
Pennsylvania where she spent as much time
with Gerry in the Architectural School and
she did in the College for Women. Ronnie
loved to travel and was the consummate or-
ganizer of trips to distant places including
Antarctica, all the time collecting more things
than anyone should. Ronnie’s happiest mo-
ments were when she was giving to others.

She will be remembered, missed, and forever
loved. Contributions in her memory may be
made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2595
Interstate Drive Harrisburg, PA 17710.

GOLDSTEINS' ROSENBERG'S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
S T E I N
Shirley Stein died at home in Needham, MA,
Oct.19, surrounded by family. Age 100. A pi-
oneer, Shirley was one of the original and
most successful party planners in Phila, cre-
ating magical events for 40 years. Lifelong
Main Line resident, known for her kindness,
strength, generosity, great style, supreme
sense of humor, and roast chicken. Her beau-
tiful home, the site of so many happy celeb-
rations. Predeceased by husband of 70 years,
Harold, Shirley is survived by children Bob-
bie (Michael Jaffe), Judy, Marcia (Walter
Adams), Andrew (Carol), 7 grandchildren, 7
great grandchildren, niece Geri Reinhardt
(Scott), family and friends. Private funeral.

Contributions can be made to Good Shep-
herd Hospice, Newton, MA or The Barnes
Foundation. Phila. Flower Girl, she will bloom
in our hearts forever.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
T A F F L I N
Mildred Tafflin (nee Sobel), on October 21,
2021. Beloved wife of the late Robert Tafflin.

Devoted mother of Dr. Marc (Cynthia) Tafflin
and Dr. Dennis H. (Ricki) Tafflin. Devoted
Grandmother of Jordan (Lisa), Jessica,
Lauren (Michael) Catania and Jonathan (Sab-
rina). Loving Great-Grandmother of Daniel,
Brooke and Julia. She is predeceased by her
parents, Samuel and Anna Sobel, sisters Sara
(Sam) Spivack and Myrtle Sobel, and brother,
Marvin (Lorraine) Sobel. Contributions in her
memory may be made to Shir Ami Congrega-
tion, 101 Richboro Road, Newtown, PA
18940 www.shirami.org
GOLDSTEINS' ROSENBERG'S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
Honor the memory
of your loved one...

Call 215.832.0749 to
place your memorial.

DEATH NOTICES
Z A K UT O
Bernard L. Zakuto, age 94, on October 23,
2021; of Philadelphia, PA, where he resided
all his life. Bernard was a widower. He mar-
ried Margaret (nee Paltenstein) in 1952, they
were married for 25 years before her un-
timely passing. He was the loving father of
Joel (Terry), Annette, David (Lizabeth) and
the late Marc (Nessa); devoted brother of
Shirley Ann Berger (Gerald); cherished
grandfather of Malka Laya, Bayla Shifra,
Maita, Brocha, Ahuva Miriam, Milana, Jason
and Amber; also survived by 17 great-grand-
children and counting, as well as many
nieces, nephews and friends whom he loved
dearly and loved him, including his compan-
ion of 30 years the late Shirley Schechter.

Bernard served in WWII and was a very hard
worker. He loved dancing, great food, fine
dining, beautiful destinations for vacations,
and loved to treat both his friends and family
to all of that. He will be greatly missed.

JOSEPH LEVINE and SONS
www.levinefuneral.com HONOR THE MEMORY
OF YOUR LOVED ONE...

CALL 215-832-0749
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JEWISH EXPONENT
NOVEMBER 4, 2021
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