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Of Art And Medicine

DIANA LIEBERMAN
StafieWriter

F

lorine Mark and William Ross met on
the tennis courts of the Franklin Fitness
& Racquet Club in Southfield. They
married 22 years ago and, together, cre-
ated a life filled with activity, art, philanthropy
and love.
"We were absolutely soul-mates," his wife said.
Dr. Ross, 77, of Farmington Hills, died March
7, 2004, of complications from amyotrophic lat-
eral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's
Disease.
"Bill was the most caring, loving man," Mrs. Ross
said. "I had five little kids when we married, and he
brought two more. He really loved them all."
A physician with a family practice in Plymouth,
Dr. Ross was also chief of staff at Botsford
Hospital in Farmington Hills. But his interests
extended well beyond the medical field.
"He was a true Renaissance man," his wife said.
"He was a top-notch tennis player and an OK
golfer. He was a gourmet, a musician and a gifted
artist — a prolific painter, photographer and
sculptor. His artwork reflected the grand beauty
he saw in the world."
Born in Detroit, Dr. Ross, then known Willie,
was one of four children. His father, a salesman,
was a frustrated opera singer.
"My father sang, and Willie played the piano
for him," said Ruth Wright of Farmington Hills,
Dr. Ross' sister. "My brother was handsome
always and a gentleman. It didn't matter if he was
meeting the president of the United States or
whoever, he was always charming."
After graduating from Cass Technical High
School, Dr. Ross enlisted in the Navy and served
as a medic. In 1948, the 22-year-old went to
Israel to help establish the Jewish state. He also

MELINDA BARNETT, 62, of

Alexandria, Va., formerly of
Birmingham, died Feb. 29, 2004.
She is survived by her son, Anthony
Barnett of Waterford; daughter and
son-in-law, Amanda and Chris
Pedigo.
Services and interment in
Alexandria. Contributions may be
made to Women's Alliance, 3745 N.E.
171 St., Miami, FL 33160. Local
arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

HARRIET BELINSKY, 76, former

r,

3/12
2004

96

Detroiter of Pasadena, Calif., died
March 5, 2004.

band and his accomplishments while he could
hoped to go to medical school there, his sister
fully enjoy the party.
said.
"All his friends came to honor him," she said.
"He found out there was no medical school in
"All
but 10 of his paintings were sold, and we
the country, so he came back and went to school,
raised
$100,000 for ALS research."
first Wayne, then in Chicago," she said. "We were
Dr. Ross is survived by his wife, Florine Mark
of modest means — our father helped, but Willie
Ross; daughters and sons-in-law, Jande and
worked for the Chicago DPW [Department of
Robert Spiegelman of Florida, Lisa and Hannan
Public Works] while he went to school."
Lis of Farmington Hills, Sherri
Dr. Ross earned a degree in
and Dr. Abe Slaim of Bloomfield
osteopathic medicine from the
Hills; sons and daughters-in-law,
Chicago Osteopathic School and-
Lee and Lisa Ross of the
returned to Detroit, practicing
Netherlands, David Mark of
first in River Rouge and then in
Bloomfield Hills, Dr. Rick and
Royal Oak. In the 1960s, he
Chris Mark of West Bloomfield,
opened Family Care Associates in
Jeffrey Mark of Farmington Hills;
Plymouth.
grandchildren, Ishai and Elinor
"He always took care of others
Ross, Jamila Ross, Chiara Ross,
without hesitation, never motivat-
Max and. Zoey Spiegelman, Ariella,
ed by monetary gain," Mrs. Ross
Liat, Mataan and Aviv Lis, Ilana,
said. "He simply loved people and
Carly and Paige Mark, Ilyse,
loved practicing medicine."
Alexandra and Brianna Mark,
Dr. Ross also worked with his
Renee and Dan Dorn-Ruiz, Danny
wife, who is president and CEO
and Nottasorn Slaim, Melissa
of the WW (Weight Watchers)
Slaim Dyer and Andrew Dyer; sis-
Dr.
William
Ross
Group Inc., helping explain the
ter and brother-in-law, Ruth and
medical advantages of balanced
Irwin Wright of Farmington Hills;
diets and healthy lifestyles.
sisters-in-law
and
brother-in-law Micki and David
Last fall, Dr. and Mrs. Ross were inducted into
Berg,
Francine
Rosberg;
mother-in-law, Ruth
the Heritage Hall of Fame at Detroit's Cobo
Tucker.
Center in recognition of "their outstanding leader-
He was the loving brother of the late Louis
ship and contributions to the community and the
Rosberg
and the late Florence Hepburn; dear
American way of life and for exhibiting a deep
brother-in-law
of the late Sandra Berlin.
commitment to the understanding of cultural tra-
Interment was at Hebrew Memorial Park.
ditions and heritages."
In October, Mrs. Ross threw a birthday bash for Contributions may be made to the Dr. Bill and
Florine Mark Ross Fund for ALS Research of the
her husband at the Jewish Community Center in
Community Foundation for Southeastern
West Bloomfield, including an exhibit of his art
Michigan, 333 W. Fort Street, Suite 2010,
works at the Janice Charach Epstein Gallery.
Detroit, MI 48226-3134. Arrangements by Ira
Dr. Ross' birthday was actually in December,
Kaufman Chapel.
Mrs. Ross said, but she wanted to honor her hus-

She is survived by her beloved hus-
band of 50 years, Iry Belinsky; sons
and daughters-in-law, Russ and Nancy
Belinsky of Santa Monica, Calif.;
Mark and Mary Belinsky of Los Altos,
Calif.; grandchildren, Ellen, Kirsten,
Becky, Scott; sister, Madelyn Farris;
brother, Saul Lederer; sisters-in-law
and brothers-in-law, Bertha and Sam
Chayet, Melvina and Lawrence
Belinsky. She was the sister of the late
Ruth Beran, the late Irene Sullivan,
the late Sylvia Derbyshire, the late
Jules Lederer.
Interment at Mt. Sinai in Los
Angeles. Contributions may be made

❑

to the American Cancer Society or a
charity of one's choice.

SONIA BERGER, 91, of San Diego,

died March 4, 2004.
She is survived by her sons and
daughters-in-law, Martin and Cheryl
Berger of Sarnia, Ontario Canada,
Leonard and Marilyn Berger of San
Diego; grandson, Mark Berger. She was
the beloved wife of the late Louis
Berger.
Interment at the Clover Hill Park
Cemetery. Contributions may be
made to a charity of one's choice.
Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.

PHYLLIS BLAU, 84, of Bloomfield

Hills, died March 8, 2004. She was a
designer clothes sales consultant at Saks
Fifth Avenue, a member of Temple
Beth El and of the Home Relief
Society.
Mrs. Blau is survived by her son
and daughter-in-law,
Dr. Robert and Fay
Claire Blau of
Bloomfield Hills;
grandchildren, David
and Risa Blau, Randy
and Michelle Blau;
great-grandchildren,
Sydney, Gabrielle,

Blau