Obituaries

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An Ageless Spirit

David Sachs
Senior Copy Editor

E

yen though she was physically
devastated by the end stages of
cancer, the buoyant enthusiasm
of journalist and TV personality Dell
Warner refused to be suppressed.
Just two months before her death at
age 84, Dell, the longtime mentor of
many Detroit media personalities, still
needed to help others express their tal-
ent — in this case, the other residents
of her senior citizens home, Teitel Jewish
Apartments in Oak Park.
She conceived and pulled off in
November an exhibition of the "hidden"
artwork of her talented, but unrecog-
nized neighbors.
"It was one of the most exciting and
creative exhibitions I have ever seen;'
said photojournalist Linda Solomon, a
close friend and a beneficiary of Dell's
wisdom over the past three decades.
"She was so ill, yet she was able to
bring back to life these artists who had
their work buried away in their apart-
ments. No one had looked at their art
in years. She found them, and she made
them blossom."
Dell Warner died on Jan. 21, 2009.
Although she battled melanoma for sev-
eral years in her 80s, it was, remarkably,
only just over a year ago that she gave

up her 18-year television spot. Dell's
"Coming of Age" segment was seen on
Channel 4's noon news every Monday
and provided her additional opportuni-
ties to assist others — namely, fellow
seniors struggling to cope with growing
old.
"Dell had a passion
and zest that kept
her young forever:'
Solomon said. "She
didn't let cancer get
her down by still
achieving in her 80s
— still creating and
still making other
people feel special."
Dell was a native
Detroiter who attended
Central High School.
She always had her
Dell Warner
sights on the spotlight
and found her way to
New York City in the
1950s with her two young sons, Michael
and Mark. She did land some musical
roles on Broadway, notably sharing the
stage with Ethel Merman.
But eventually, Dell returned to
Detroit and "changed our community for
the better," said Rabbi Joshua Bennett of
Temple Israel, who spoke at the funeral.
"She made a name for herself in the
helping professions of substance abus-

ers. For a time, she ran a methadone
clinic and helped hundreds of addicts.
She became a local personality, appear-
ing on radio and TV shows dealing with
drug and alcohol abuse and writing a
newspaper column, "The Straight Dope."
Dell also served
as a public relations
adviser to Lt. Gov.
Martha Griffiths.
But most people
remember Dell, an
early feminist, for
her media career.
"She was a
trailblazer, born
perhaps 30 years
too early:' said
Rabbi Bennett.
Dell became an
Emmy-winning
television producer
for Channels 2, 4
and 7. The Woman
to Woman show she hosted provided a
stepping stone for many females, includ-
ing the first TV appearance for photo-
journalist Solomon.
"I was terrified — I'd never been on
TV before:' Solomon said, noting how
Dell helped propel her career. "She's
always been there to listen, to guide and
to give advice.
"She was one of the rare human

Sinai Oncologist Aided Community

D

r. Sherman Kay, 82, of Franklin,
died Jan. 23, 2009.
During World War II, Dr.
Sherman was a
middleweight
boxer for the
Army and
achieved a 40-
1 record. He
attended the
University of
Illinois, initially
becoming a cal-
culus teacher
Dr. Sherman Kay
and then went
on to Wayne
State University for pre-medical studies;
he eventually became a full professor at
Wayne.
He received his medical degree from

the University of Michigan Medical
School and went on to participate in
several research projects in hematology
and oncology, becoming the chairman
of hematology and oncology at Sinai
Hospital. He was loved by his patients.
Dr. Kay also became a founder of
Children's Orthogenics, which eventu-
ally became JARC, was a board member
of the Jewish Vocational Service (JVS)
and served on many boards in the
community. A lover of the arts, he was
a world traveler and also a member
of Knollwood Country Club in West
Bloomfield.
"He was the most respected, loving
and giving father and husband and my
very best friend;' said son Douglas Kay.
Dr. Kay is survived by his wife,
Claire Kay of Franklin; children, Larry

Kay, Kathy Kay of Bloomfield Hills,
Douglas Kay and Ronna Harwood-Kay
of Farmington Hills; grandchildren,
Jolie Kay and fiance, Richard Hartman,
Alixandra Kay, Alana Kay-Siefman and
Matthew Kay; many loving nieces and
nephews.
Dr. Kay was the devoted son of the
late Ida and the late Harry Kay; dear
brother of the late Dr. Donald Kay; cher-
ished son-in-law of the late Esther and
the late Maurice Neback; brother-in-law
of the late Edwin C. Neback.
Interment at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery. Contributions may be
made to JVS, Kay Family Fund, 29699
Southfield Road, Southfield, MI 48076,
(248) 559-5000, www.jvsdet.org or a
charity of one's choice. Arrangements by
Ira Kaufman Chapel. 0

beings who helped others with the only
purpose being to see them achieve. I was
one of the lucky ones."
Dell also nurtured a love for animals,
adopted many and advocated for animal
rescue. "She was that woman who always
had several four-legged friends in her
home;' said Rabbi Bennett.
"Dell remained graceful even in the
face of her illness;' said the rabbi. "She
loved life and died after a lifetime of giv-
ing back to this community"
Dell Warner is survived by her sons,
Michael (Tandy) Small of Franklin, Mark
(the late Carol) Small of Birmingham;
grandchildren, Emily Small, Adam
Small, Tiffany (Erik) Elie, Bradley
(Rebecca) Small; great-grandchildren,
Sloan and Sabrina; many other loving
family members and friends.
She was the dear sister of the late
Albert Warren, the late Harold Warren
and the late Philip Warren.
Interment was at Adat Shalom
Memorial Park. Contributions may be
made to the Dell Warner Save the Pet
Babies for Adoption Memorial Fund,
c/o Michigan Humane Society, 30300
Telegraph, Suite 220, Bingham Farms,
MI 48025, (248) 283-1000; or Greenfield
Animal Hospital, 21600 W. 11 Mile,
Southfield, MI 48076, (248) 356-1100.
Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. LI

JACK BARUCH, 88, of Southfield, died
Jan. 21, 2009.
He is survived by his stepdaughter, Nera
Halfon; stepson, Joseph and Nili Bielawski;
children and grandchildren; good friend,
Sonja Szakal.
Services and interment at Hebrew
Memorial Park. Arrangements by Hebrew
Memorial Chapel.

NANCY ELLEN LINDERMAN
CUNNINGHAM, 58, of Berkley, died Jan.
15, 2009.
She is survived by her husband, Don
Cunningham; sister, Janice Linderman
Katz of Auburn Hills.
Contributions may be made to the
Michigan Humane Society, 26711
N.W. Hwy, #175, Southfield, MI 48034.
Interment at Adat Shalom Memorial Park
in Livonia. A memorial service will be held
Friday, 1 p.m. at Hebrew Memorial Chapel.
Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial
Chapel.

Obituaries on page B32

January 29 a 2009

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