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Legacy Of Hope

"My mother's illness has caused
DAVID SACHS
me
to dedicate myself to eradicate
Staff Writer
this awful disease," said her son, who
arriet Hiller and her family established a research fund with
University of Michigan's Dr. Eva
not only launched a suc-
Feldman. "Dr. Feldman is the single
cessful chain of supermar-
most brilliant human being I have
kets in the Detroit area,
ever met," he said. "She is dedicated
they also set their sights on finding a
to this the same way I
cure for the horrific dis-
am.
ease that ultimately
"My mother was quite
claimed her life.
proud to know that
Mrs. Hiller of
something was going to
Franklin is remembered
come out of this terrible
by her daughter Linda
disease that would be
Novak as a "lady" with a
good," Jimmy Hiller said
fabulous sense of style,
about the Program for
who enjoyed cooking
Understanding
and entertaining for her
Neurological
Diseases. It
family and scores of
is "now on its way to
friends. "She was the
becoming a leading pro-
ultimate Jewish mom
gram in the country for
who loved her family
research of ALS, diabetic
more than anything,"
Harriet Hiller
neuropathy, Alzheimer's,
her daughter said.
Parkinson's and numer-
Yet son Jimmy Hiller
ous
other
diseases,"
he said.
describes his mom as a "tomboy,"
The urge to cure disease could be
recalling how she played sandlot base-
considered a family trait. Mrs. Hiller's
ball with him, rode on the back of his
brother is Dr. Jerome Horwitz of
motorcycle and, even in her 70s,
Farmington Hills, the longtime
enjoyed three-mile walks and 18 holes
Karmanos Cancer Institute researcher
of golf.
who developed the drug AZT, now
In an irony similar to that which
the primary treatment for AIDS.
befell baseball's legendary "iron man"
He remembers his sister as "a won-
Lou Gehrig, the athletic Mrs. Hiller
derful, giving person, always on the
fell victim to the debilitating disease
go, until she was struck by this horri-
ALS (amyothropic lateral sclerosis),
ble disease."
also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. As
Harriet Hiller is survived by her
ALS progresses, the patient gradually
husband,
Sidney Hiller; son and
loses voluntary-muscle function. "This
daughter-in-law
Jimmy and Margaret
is one of the few diseases left where
Hiller
of
Franklin;
daughter and son-
there is no treatment protocol and no
in-law
Linda
and
Eric
Novak of West
cure," said Jimmy Hiller.
Bloomfield; grandchildren Justin,
Mrs. Hiller succumbed to ALS on
Andrew and Spencer Hiller, Frank
Oct. 10 at age 76.
Novak and Samantha Schon; brother
She and Sidney Hiller, her husband
and sister-in-law Dr. Jerome and
of 55 years, were newlyweds when
Sharon Horwitz; sisters-in-law and
they founded Hiller's Shopping Center
brother-in-law Helene Harris, Leo and
Markets in 1945.
Rita Hiller.
In the early days of their business,
She was the dear sister of the late
which began on Michigan Avenue in
Geraldine Rafelson.
Detroit, Mrs. Hiller worked at her
Interment was at Clover Hill Park
husband's side — at the cash register,
Cemetery. Contributions may be
in the office and as a buyer. The
made to Program for Understanding
Hillers' business expanded with stores
Neurological
Diseases, University of
in Berkley in 1952, Southfield in 1965
Michigan
Department
of Neurology,
and West Bloomfield in 1973.
4414 Kresge III, 200 Zina Pitcher
"They had a very close, loving rela-
Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0588.
tionship," said Jimmy Hiller, who took
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
over the business in 1989 and opened
Chape1.❑
four more stores.

E

10/13
2000

146

MARCUS BASS, 83, of Livonia,
died Oct. 2.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce
Bass; son and daughter-in-law,
Harold and Sue Bass of Gilbert,
Ariz.; daughters and son-in-law,
Sharon Bass of Northville, Dilyse
and Mark McAllister of Livonia;
grandchildren, Ilaena McAllister,
Brennen McAllister, Kelly Bass.
Contributions may be made to
Jewish National Fund or American
Diabetes Association, 30600
Telegraph Road, Suite 2255,
Bingham Farms, MI 48025.
Services and interment were held at
Adat Shalom Memorial Park
Cemetery. Arrangements by Hebrew
Memorial Chapel.

EVA R. BAYER, 83, of Flint, died
Oct. 3.
She is survived by her son and
daughter-in-law, Steven and Aida
Bayer of Miami, Fla.; daughter,
Myra White of Flint; grandchildren,
Jamey and Liz Wittenberg, Andrew
and Wendy Wittenberg, Adam
Bayer, Mitchell and Sharon Bayer;
great-grandchildren, Rachel
Wittenberg, Elizabeth Bayer. Mrs.
Bayer was the beloved wife of the
late Ben Bayer; loving mother-in-
law of the late Charles White; lov-
ing sister of the late Samel Rosen,
the late Rebecca Goldberg, the late
Betty Slafkin.
Contributions may be made to
Hurley Foundation, ICU, 1 Hurley
Plaza, Flint, MI 48503. Services
and interment at Adat Shalom
Memorial Park. Arrangements by
Hebrew Memorial Chapel.

FREDA BERKOWITZ, 80, of
Southfield, died Oct. 3.
She is survived by her brother,
Leonard Berkovitz of Southfield;
sister, Esther Kogan of Southfield.
Contributions may be made to a
charity of one's choice. Services and
interment at Machpelah Cemetery.
Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial
Chapel.

FRITZIE DARVAL, 75, of
Dearborn Heights, died Oct. 6.
She is survived by her niece,
Heidi Gordon of Farmington Hills;
sisters, Doris Feldman of
Southfield, Bert Snitman of
Northville, Rosalyn Meklir of
Cherry Hill, N.J.; brother, Sam
Snitman of Los Angeles.
Services and interment at Adat
Shalom Memorial Park.

Contributions may be made to the
Angela Hospice or a charity of one's
choice. Arrangements by Dorfman
Funeral Direction.

HELEN (SILVER) DAVIS, 90. of
Chicago, died Sept. 27. She was a
charity worker.
She is survived by her daughter
and son-in-law, Marcy and Al
Gruber of Huntington Woods;
grandchildren, Alicia (Gruber) and
Carlos Galarce Lake Zurich, Ill;,
Andrea Gruber of Chicago; great-
grandchildren, Max and Alex
Galarce.
Services at Memorial Park
Cemetery in suburban Chicago.

SYLVIA K. EDELSTEIN, 79, of
Southfield, died Oct. 5.
She is survived by her sons and
daughters-in-law, Martin and Lisa
Edelstein of Arlington Heights, Ill.,
Barry and Donna Edelstein of
Phoenix, Ariz.; sister and brother-
in-law, Esther and Marc Fox of
Walled Lake; grandchildren,
Zachary Edelstein, Erin Edelstein.
Mrs. Edelstein was the beloved wife
of the late David M. Edelstein.
Contributions may be made to
Radomer Aid Society, c/o Sandy
Wolok, 5031 Coshocton Drive,
Waterford, MI 48327. Interment at
Hebrew Memorial Park, Radomer
Section. Arrangements by Hebrew
Memorial Chapel.

GEDALE ELBAUM, 81, of Oak
Park, died Oct. 6.
He is survived by his son and
daughter-in-law, Dr. David and
Sherry of Calabasas, Calif.; daugh-
ters and sons-in-law, Dora and
Myron Jackler of Oak Park, Fay and
Jeff Wolkowicz of Boca Raton, Fla.;
brother, Barry Elbaum of Oak Park;
grandchildren, Eitan, Jeremy,
Noam, Kevin, Gregory, Danielle,
Shira, Matthew. Mr. Elbaum was
the beloved husband of the late
Luba Elbaum.
Contributions may be made to
the Luba Elbaum Gift Shop at the
Holocaust Memorial Center, 6602
West Maple Road, West
Bloomfield, MI 48322. Interment
at Hebrew Memorial Park.
Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial
Chapel.

KURT ELLENBOGEN, 86, of
Florida, formerly of Southfield,
died Oct. 8. He was the former
owner of Arron Office System and a