Obituaries
Obituaries are updated regularly and archived on JN Online:
www.detroitjewishnews.corn
Vibrant Mabel
the 1940s. "I used to sell table cloths and
napkins," she said. "I was a busy person
raising money for the organization." The
Iff abel Rose Newman
full text of this article can be accessed on
Alvin, who died of cancer the Cover Story Archive of the JN Web
site: vvvvw.detroitjewisluiews.com
at age 103 on Dec. 14,
2002, was born in 1899,
Mrs. Alvin was lucid and vibrant right
when newspapers contained articles on
up to the last day of her life. When she
the ladylike way to board a streetcar
received news of the birth of her third
while wearing a long skirt.
great-grandchild, Ashley Claire Alvin,
Although the world has changed radi-
just three days before her death, she
cally since that time, Mrs. Alvin's vibrant
eagerly reached for the pictures brought
spirit, optimism and sense of humor will
by her daughter-in-law, Mitzi.
remain in the hearts of those who knew
When asked about the secret of Mrs.
and loved her.
Alvin's longevity, Jerry
"She was a wonderful
and Mitzi jokingly
mother-in-law," said
replied, "She never
Marian "Mitzi" Alvin of
smoke, drank — or
Franklin, who is married
drove a car."
to Mrs. Alvin's son,
Mrs. Alvin's family
Gerald.
and the Jewish tradi-
"When she told people
tions were all-impor-
her name, she would
tant to her. She kept a
always say, 'Mabel sat on
kosher home and
a pin, Mabel Rose,' to
took great pride in
help them remember,"
her considerable tal-
said Mitzi Alvin. "She
ents for cooking and
used to sing and dance
baking.
and do Jackie Mason
"She made this
Mabel Rose Alvin
imitations. She had a
wonderful Colonial
tremendous sense of
Innkeeper Pie, which
humor."
nobody ever heard of but couldn't resist
Many of the mourners who gathered
once they tried it," said Mitzi Alvin said
at the Ira Kaufman Chapel Dec. 17 had
of the chocolaty cake-like pie, "and her
been present at Mrs. Alvin's 100th birth-
chicken soup was out of this world."
day party in May 1999. At that event,
Mrs. Alvin began writing poetry in her
she read an essay she had written for the
80s. This excerpt from one of her poems
occasion entitled 'This is My Life." It
titled "Land of Enchantment" sums up
derailed her life from her early days in
her optimistic approach to life:
Utica, N.Y., through her move to
If I were a birch I would spread my wings,
Detroit in the 1920s, when she met and
And fly to some distant land and say
married Robert Alvin, who passed away
And I say to myself
in 1965. She lived in Country Court
"Life is beautiful life is beautzfid"
apartments in Southfield for more than
Mrs. Alvin is survived by her son and
30 years.
daughter-in-law, Gerald "Jerry" and
Mrs. Alvin enjoyed talking politics and Marian "Mitzi" Alvin; grandchildren,
participated in every Presidential election Bill Alvin, Rob (Alicia) Alvin, Matt
since women received the right to vote in (Lori) Alvin; great-grandchildren,
1920. She was a staunch Democrat,
Michael, Jessica and Ashley; brother,
maintaining that she liked Bill Clinton
Edward Newman; and Judy Alvin.
"until he got involved with that girl."
She was the beloved wife of the late
In the year of her 100th birthday, Mrs. Robert Alvin.
Alvin was the feature of two stories in
Interment took place at Machpelah
the Jewish News. "Independent Mabel"
Cemetery, with arrangements by Ira
(April 9, 1999, page 49) told of the cen-
Kaufman Chapel.
tenarian's spirited lifestyle in her own
Contributions may be made to Meals
apartment. "I'm not ready for a nursing
on Wheels, c/o National Council of
home," she said.
Jewish Women, 26400 Lahser Road,
Later that year in "A Jew For A
Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48034; or
Century" (June 11, 2000, page 18), she
Jewish National Fund, 24100 Chagrin
reminisced about her life, including her
Blvd., Suite 100, Cleveland, OH
participation in B'nai B'rith beginning in 44122. ❑
RONELLE GRIER
Special to the Jewish News
LILY ABRAMOVITZ, 83, of
Farmington Hills, died Dec. 11,
2002. She was a teacher, member of
Congregation Shaarey Zedek and
volunteer at Yad Ezra, the Jewish
Community Center and at elections.
Mrs. Abramovitz is survived by her
husband, Jack Abramovitz; son and
daughter-in-law, Gary and Sue Anne
Abramovitz of Farmington Hills;
daughter and son-in-law, Eileen and
Bill Glogower of Southfield; grand-
children, Michael and Tammy
Abramovitz, Robyn and Tim Klouse;
great-grandchildren, Harry and Isaac
Abramovitz and Ben Klouse.
Interment at Hebrew Memorial
Park. Contributions may be made to
Yad Ezra. Arrangements by Ira
Kaufman Chapel.
BELLA BELLOW, 91, of Oak Park,
died Dec. 10, 2002.
She is survived by her son and
daughter-in-law, Bernard and
Rosaline Bellow of Washington;
daughter and son-in-law, Sarah and
Harold Cymerint of Oak Park;
brother, Jacob Goldberg of Oak Park;
grandchildren, Joyce and Kerwin
White, Linda and John Blankenship,
Jeffrey and Deborah Cymerint; great-
grandchildren, Aaron White, Jordan
White, Shane Blankenship, Chance
Blankenship, Beau Blankenship;
Jacob Cymerint. She was the beloved
wife of the late Joseph Bellow.
Contributions may be made to a
charity of one's choice. Services and
interment at Nusach Hari Cemetery.
Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial
Chapel.
AL BERLIN, 76, of Farmington
Hills, died Dec. 14, 2002.
He is survived by his devoted wife,
Norma; daughters and sons-in-law,
Mindy and Sam Herman of
Farmington Hills, Jan and Rich
Blazeski of Bullville, N.Y.; grandchil-
dren, Joshua Aaron Herman and
Alana Sara Herman. He was the dear
brother of the late Moe, Asher and
Phil Berlin and the late Ether Rosen
and Mary Berlin.
Graveside services were held at
Adat Shalom Memorial Park
Cemetery. Contributions may be
made to the Lighthouse Hospice,
24293 Telegraph Road, Southfield,
MI 48075; the National Federation
of the Blind of Michigan, 1212 N.
Foster, Lansing, MI 48912 or to a
charity of one's choice. Arrangements
by Dorfman Chapel.
RAISA BORIK, 75, of Southfield,
died Dec. 12, 2002.
She is survived by her daughter
and son-in-law, Veronica and Alex
Yahkind of West Bloomfield; grand-
children, Andrew Yahkind, Michael
Yahkind. She was the beloved wife of
the late Mikhail Borik.
Interment at Hebrew Memorial
Park. Arrangements by Hebrew
Memorial Chapel.
DOROTHY BRIGHTMAN, 77, of
Clermont, Fla., formerly of Detroit,
died Dec. 8, 2002.
She is survived by her sons and
daughters-in-law, Gary and Mary
Brightman of
Warren, Jeffrey
and Jeanne
Brightman of
Arizona; daughter
and son-in-law,
Patty and Paul
Rhoden of
Florida; sister and
brother-in-law, Fay
and Norman
Tarockoff of
Southfield; broth-
er-in-law,
Dorothy
Benjamin Ross;
Brightman
grandchildren,
Mark Brightman,
Michael and Christy Brightman, Kristy
Brightman, Jessica and AI Strauss, Josh
Brightman, Justin Rhoden, Cody
Rhoden, Shane Rhoden; great-grand-
children, Damon, Alexis. She was the
beloved wife of the late Leonard
Brightman; loving sister of the late
Clara Ross.
Contributions may be made to the
American Diabetes Association, 30600
Telegraph Road, Suite 2255, Bingham
Farms, MI 48025; Alzheimer's
Association, 17220 W 12 Mile Road,
Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48076 or
American Heart Association, Memorial
and Tribute Program, Dept. 77-3968,
Chicago, IL 60678-3968. Interment at
Hebrew Memorial Park. Arrangements
by Hebrew Memorial Chapel.
TANIA BRIGHTMAN, 92, of New
York, died Dec. 14, 2002.
She is survived by her daughter,
Mildred Zeldis of New York, N.Y.;
grandchildren, Yona and Paul Zeldis-
McDonough, David Zeldis; great-
grandchildren, James McDonough,
Kate McDonough. She was the beloved
wife of the late Morris Brightman.
Services and interment at Hebrew
Memorial Park. Arrangements by
Hebrew Memorial Chapel.
12/20
2002
105