Obituaries

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Hugs For

Hannah

DAVID SACHS
StaffWriter

Lori Blum added,
"And she kept me
going; I didn't keep
hough she rarely
her going. Hannah
left her mother's
was doing great
arms, baby
through all of this.
Hannah left her
She never suffered.
mark on the world.
She was always happy
She captured the hearts
and playful. For any
of hundreds who respond-
person who walked in
ed to the "Hugs for
her room, it was
Hannah" bone marrow
always a smile, a
donation drive last Nov. 14
wave, a little bobbing
in West Bloomfield.
of the head, because
And her joyful smile
she loved to 'dance'
Hannah Blum
and playful wave inspired
and listen to music."
family, caregivers and fellow
At the Karmanos
patients alike.
bone marrow unit,
Hannah Rochelle Blum of West
Hannah was the only baby on the floor.
Bloomfield died June 1 at Children's
Adult patients took inspiration from
Hospital of Michigan in the Detroit
her, thinking, if Hannah could go
Medical Center. She had spent most of
through this, they could, too.
her 4-1/2-month hospital stay at the
"The people who took care of her at
nearby bone marrow transplant unit of
Harper and Karmanos, they are our
the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer
family now," said Loren Blum. "They
Institute at Harper Hospital.
loved her."
The 14-month-old was born with
Last month, the Blums heard from a
osteopetrosis, a rare, fatal genetic condi-
television health reporter doing a story
tion marked by increased bone density.
on bone marrow transplants. She spoke
A bone marrow transplant offered
with a donor who had become a match
Hannah's only hope.
and asked how he got on the donor reg-
But no matching marrow donors
istry. He said that initially he wanted to
were found among the 753 people test-
help this little girl, Hannah. Statistics
ed during the West Bloomfield drive or
indicate that at least four people will
in a worldwide registry search. On Feb.
find marrow matches from November's
1, Hannah received umbilical cord
Hugs for Hannah drive.
blood, a similar procedure, but the
"We know that Hannah has saved at
results ultimately proved unfruitful.
least one person and hopefully a lot
After a bone marrow donor finally was
more," said her. dad. "Now we're plan-
found, she underwent a transplant on
ning on having an annual memorial
April 8.
drive in her name, so she can continue
On Mother's Day, May 14, doctors
'to bring life to other people."
were elated that the transplant was
"An annual Hugs for Hannah," said
beginning to take hold. "It was the best
her mom.
Mother's Day present I ever got," said
Hannah Blum is survived by her par-
Hannah's mom, Lori Blum. Hannah's
ents, Loren and Lori Blum; brothers
lack of immunity, however, left her sus-
and sisters Jason Przybylowicz, Ashley
ceptible to a common virus, which led
Blum, Scott Przybylowicz, Danielle
to her death three weeks later.
Blum, Lily Przybylowicz, Skyler Blum;
Lori Blum spent the entire 4-1/2
grandmother Cissy Gordon and great-
months in Hannah's hospital room,
grandmother Rae Klempner.
holding her when she was awake or
She was the loving granddaughter of
asleep, seeing her through the proce-
the late Rochelle Blum.
dures and waiting for the results.
Interment was at Adat Shalom
"Hannah was a lap child," said her
Memorial Park. Contributory checks
dad, Loren Blum. "You couldn't just put
may be made payable to the National
her somewhere and leave her alone. She
Marrow Donor Program, 5707 Wing
couldn't do anything. She received more
Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302,
love in her 14 months than most people
artn: Hugs For Hannah. Arrangements
do in a lifetime."
by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

T

ROSE BECKER, 95, former Detroiter.
of Encino, Calif, died May 21.
She is survived by her daughter
and son-in-law, Mary Ann and
Stanley Stone; son and daughter-in-
law, Dr. Alan and Leah Becker;
grandchildren, Steven and Samantha
Stone, Robin Stone, Bonnie Stone,
Dr. Steven Becker, Dr. Kevin and
Carolyn Becker, Laura and Dr. Gary
Anusavice; great-grandchildren,
Andrew and Jamie Stone, Elizabeth,
Chip, Jennifer, Max and Kate
Becker, A.J., Andreas and Travis
Anusavice. She was the beloved wife
of the late Samuel Becker.
Interment in Los Angeles.

FAE BOBKIN, 70, of Oak Park,
died June 1.
She is survived by her sons and
daughters-in-law, Aaron and Robin
Bobkin of Farmington Hills, Stewart
and Mardi Bobkin of Oak Park;
daughter and son-in-law, Tina and
Rick Reeves of Pensacola, Fla.; grand-
children, Jason Bobkin, Ashley
Bobkin, Jared Bobkin, Bradly Bobkin,
Alyse Reeves, Shane Reeves, Haley
Reeves . Mrs. Bobkin was the beloved
wife of the late Alexander Bobkin.
Contributions may be made to
Hospice of IHS, 24445
Northwestern Hwy, Suite #105,
Southfield, MI 48075 or to a charity
of one's choice.
Interment at Hebrew Memorial
Park. Arrangements by Hebrew
Memorial Chapel.

.

PAULINE COGGAN, 96, of
Southfield, died June 2. She was a
member of Congregation Shaarey
Zedek.
Mrs. Coggan is survived by her
daughter and son-in-law, Barbara
and Bud Lucas of Grand Rapids;
grandchildren, Beth Sonne, Barry
and Candice Sonne, Peggy and
Roger Lilienfeld, Bruce and Tammy
Tarnapol, Cathy and James Frisinger,
Marcy Weiss, Karen Weiss, Steven
and Marcia Boesky, Bonnie and
Robert Haliday, Andrew and Mary
Boesky, Julie Boesky; 11 great-grand-
children; four great-great-grandchil-
dren; sister brother-in-law, Hazel
and Leonard Barbas. She was the
beloved wife of the late Benjamin
Coggan; the loving mother of the
late Miriam Sonne and the late Ruth
Ann Boesky.
Interment at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery. Contributions may be
directed to Jewish Association for
Residential Care. A .rrangements by
Ira Kaufman Chapel.

ESTHER CRANE, 96, of West
Bloomfield, died May 20.
She is survived by her son and
daughter-in-law, Marvin and Patricia
Crane of West Bloomfield; sister, Shirley
Birenbach of Long Island, N.Y.; grand-
daughter, Elizabeth Crane.
She was the beloved wife of the late
Max Cohen; mother of the late Harry J.
Crane.
Contributions can be made to the
charity of one's choice. Arrangements by
Dorfman Funeral Direction.

MAX DOBROWITSKY, 77, of
Orchard Lake, died June 4. Mr.
Dobrowitsky was a builder and 40-year
partner with his brother-in-law, Albert
Rosenblum at Dobrowitsky-Rosenblum
Company. He received his teaching
degree from Wayne State University and
was a sergeant and medic in the army
stationed in England during World War
II. Along with his brother-in-law, he
built Congregation Beth Shalom and
was a founding member and past presi-
dent.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth
Dubrowitsky; sons and daughters-in-
law, Marc and Cathy Dobrowitsky of
Huntington Woods, George
Dobrowitsky of Rochester Hills, Fred
and Fumi Dobrowitsky; daughter,
Patrice Dobrowitsky; grandchildren,
Joshua and Lindsay Dobrowits , sister
and brother-in-taw, Ida and Albert
Rosenblum. Mr. Dobrowitsky was the
dear brother of the late Tillie Bloch.
Interment at Machpelah Cemetery.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

HERMAN FINEGOLD, 79, of Novi,
died May 30.
He is survived by his beloved wife,
Edith Finegold of Novi; son and daugh-
ter-in-law, Marshall and Lisa Finegold of
Safety Harbor, Fla.; daughter and son-
in-law, Lynda and Luis Martinez del
Campo of Cortland Manor, N.Y.;
grandchildren, Matthew and Joshua
Finegold, Julian and Daniel Martinez
del Campo. Graveside services at the
Hebrew Memorial Park Cemetery.
Contributions can be made to the chari-
ty of one's choice. Arrangements by
Dorfman Funeral Direction.

KATHLEEN GELLER, 76, of
Southfield, died June 2. She was a
member of Congregation Shaarey
Zedek.
Mrs. Geller is survived by her sons
and daughters-in-law, Allen and Judith
Milgrom of Roslyn Heights, N.Y., Louis
Milgrom and Naomi Gamorra of Glen
Rock, N.J.; daughter and son-in-law,
Mara Milgrom and Daniel Bernbaum

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2000

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