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Final
Performance

A

SHARON LUCKERMAN

StaffWriter

few weeks ago, terminally ill Peggy
Miller left the hospital to participate
in her grandson's wedding.
Before the ceremony, Rabbi
Harold Loss of Temple Israel whispered to the
former entertainer, "Peggy, this is your final per-
formance. After this, you've accomplished all you
wanted."
Mrs. Miller took off her
oxygen tube, got out of
her wheelchair, and beam
ing from ear'to ear,
walked down the aisle.
"She looked gorgeou s;
she was an incredible
inspiration," says her son,
Dr. Larry Miller, father of
the groom, Jared.
Peggy Miller, 78, of
West Bloomfield, died
Oct. 2 of breast cancer.
Peggy Miller
On Aug. 7, her doctor,
Dr. Jeffrey Forman, chief
of radiation oncology at the Barbara Ann
Karmanos Cancer Institute, presented Mrs.
Miller with the Spirit Award. She had thught
cancer for 24 years.
Five months earlier, Mrs. Millet danced and
sang at Temple Israel's 60th anniversary, She was
a member of the temple for 45 years.
Mrs. Miller began entertaining at Detroit
Central, High School, where she graduated in
1940. She went on to sing and dance for the
U.S.O. during World War II and, over the next
50 years, for organizations that included B'nai
Writh, Hadassah, Sinai Guild and . Children's
Unlimited.
Up until four months ago, Mrs. Miller
worked at her son Larry's dental office.
"Peggy really lived every day to the fullest,"
said Dr. Forman. "She taught me to get every-
thing possible out of life --- up to the last
minute."
Mrs, Miller is survived by her son and daugh-
ter-in-law, Dr. Larry and Carole Miller of
Bklomfield Hills; daughters and sons-in-law,
Margi and Daniel Werber of Oak Park, Suzi and
David Wiener of Oak Park; grandchildren,
Nicole and Bobby Muchnick, Jared and
Stephanie Miller, Joanna Miller, Geoffrey
Werber, Michael Werber, Stefani Wiener,
Michele Wiener; sister, Ruth Gursky and sister-
in-law, Rebecca Green.
She was the beloved wife of 52 years of the
late Harry Miller, the loving daughter of the late
Harry and the late Rose Dermer and the dear
sister of the late Morton Dermer and the late
Sadie Dermer,
Internment at Beth El Memorial Park.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. ril

10/5
2001

118

A Life Of Beauty

r

SUZANNE CHESSLER

Special to the Jewish News

ranklin Siden framed his life around con-
temporary art and artists.
His lessons started in childhood at what
has become the College for Creative Studies
in Detroit, and he went on to earn degrees in art his-
tory, operate a gallery, serve as a consultant, teach and
befriend established and new talent, all while building
a personal collection.
At the time of his death from cancer at age 78 on

Sept. 26, the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) already
had been the beneficiary of a gift of furniture, a Finn
Juhl bed that had been used in his home before it
became a collector's item.
"My husband had a very sure eye," says Harriet
Siden, who was the subject of one of the few portraits
he painted. "The first thing we bought for our first
apartment was a ceramic piece."
Mr. Siden, born in Detroit, was the son of Belle and
Maurice Siden, who owned the Siden Boot Shop in
Highland Park. He graduated from Detroit Central
High School, served in the Navy during World War II,
earned a bachelor's degree from the University of
Illinois and a master's in art history from Wayne State
University.
The Franklin Siden Gallery opened in 1964 in the
David Whitney Building in downtown Detroit. It was
started after Mr. Siden worked in sales, and continued
into the 1970s. It featured the works of internationally
known artists, including Andy Warhol, Gordon
Newton, Arman and Christo, and it introduced the
works of local artists from the Cass Corridor.
Mr. Siden wanted Detroit to develop its own thriv-
ing art community, says Dr. Harold Siden, one of two
sons.

HERBERT ACKER, 66, of
Palmdale, Calif, formerly of
Detroit, died Sept. 22.
He is survived by his wife, Carol
Acker; son, David Acker of Los
Angeles; daughter, Dawn Parnell of
Los Angeles; brother and sister-in-
law, Edwin and Marilyn Acker of
Huntington Woods; grandchildren,
Josh Parnell, Melissa.
Contributions may be made to a
charity of one's choice. Services and
interment at Machpelah Cemetery.
Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial
Chapel.

GERALDINE E BOTWIN, 86, of
Southfield, died Sept. 27. She had a
life of devoted service to the Jewish
community. She was a member of
Hadassah for over 50 years and
longtime president of the Masada

When he decided to give up
the gallery, Mr. Siden worked
out of his Bloomfield Hills
home as a private dealer and
consultant and maintained his
board membership with the
DIA's Friends of Modern Art.
He also taught at Wayne State
and the Jewish Community
Center.
The late gallery owner, active
with Congregation Shaarey
Franklin Siden
Zedek, drew attention to
many Jewish artists, such as Irving Kriesberg, Arthur
Schneider, Mon Levinson and Lee Krasner, the widow
of Jackson Pollack.
"Some of the artists stayed with us when they came
to open their exhibits, and we stayed with some of
them as we traveled," recalls Mrs. Siden.
"It was very exciting to visit museums wherever we
traveled and go to auctions. I particularly enjoyed stay-
ing with Lee Krasner at her country home, which was
very much a home and not a showcase for her work."
Franklin Siden is survived by his wife, Harriet
Siden, sons and daughter-in-law, Lawrence Siden of
Ypsilanti, Dr. Harold and Anne Siden of Canada;
grandchildren, Jonathon, Jordan, Hannah and Eleanor

Siden; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Irwin and
Helgard Field, Martin Mattler; and mother-in-law, Lea
Field.
Mr. Siden was the beloved son of the late Belle and
the late Maurice Siden, the loving brother of the late
Elaine Mattler and the late Irving Siden, and the dear
son-in-law of the late Walter Field. •
Interment was at Clover Hill Memorial Park.
Contributions may be made to the Siden Fund at
Congregation Shaarey Zedek, 27375 Bell Rd.,
Southfield 48034, and the Detroit Institute of Arts,
5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit 48202. Arrangements
by Ira Kaufman Chapel. ❑

Chapter. She sang for over 50 years
with the Music Study Group and
was a lifetime member of Adat
Shalom Synagogue and its sister-
hood.
She is survived by her daughters
and son-in-law, Iris and Ralph
Berets of Kansas City, Mo., Davida
Shragge of Quebec, Ontario,
Canada; grandchildren, Eric
(Ginger) Berets, Keith (Lenora)
Berets, Jessica Berets, Joseph and
Aaron Shragge; great-grandchildren,
Tyler, Morgan, Harrison and Lillian
Berets. She was the beloved wife of
the late Morris Borwin.
Interment at Adat Shalom
Memorial Park Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to the
Greater Detroit Chaprer of
Hadassah, 5030 Orchard Lake
Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48323;

the Adat Shalom Synagogue
Sisterhood, 29901 Middlebelt
Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334
or to Hospice of Michigan, 16250
Northland Dr., Southfield, MI
48075. Arrangements by the
Dorfman Chapel.

FRANK BOXMAN, 90, of
Southfield, died Sept. 27. Mr.
Boxman served in the Navy and his
ship was torpedoed off the shores of
North Africa. He was an amateur
boxer and a butcher who worked
along with his brothers who owned
the Boxman Brothers Kosher Meats
and Poultry. In addition, he owned
newsstands in several downtown
buildings including the National
Bank of Detroit.
He is survived by his beloved
wife, Norma Boxman; son and