Obituaries
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Patron Of The Theater And The Arts
Ronelle Grier
Special to the Jewish News
M
elba Winer accomplished more
in her lifetime of 92 years than
most people can imagine.
A dedicated patron of the arts, devoted
community volunteer, loving and loyal
wife, mother, grandmother and friend,
Mrs. Winer passed away on April 23, 2010,
at her West Bloomfield home.
Mrs. Winer was a passionate theater
enthusiast who earned a degree in speech
and theater from Wayne State University.
She was responsible for creating and
perpetuating a variety of theater, dance,
music and visual arts programs. The first
plays for the Jewish Community Center of
Metropolitan Detroit's Center Theatre were
performed in her living room.
She also directed shows for numerous
organizations including National Council
of Jewish Women, Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit, the Greater Detroit
Chapter of Hadassah and Congregation
Shaarey Zedek of Oakland County, where
she was a third-generation member.
She was always generous in her support
of the artistic venues such as the Detroit
Institute of Arts, the Detroit Symphony
Orchestra, Hilberry Theatre in Detroit,
Jewish Ensemble Theatre (JET) in West
Bloomfield, Stratford Shakespeare Festival
in Ontario and others.
Mrs. Winer had been married to her hus-
band, Sidney, for 61 years when he died nine
years ago. It was their mutual love of the the-
REX DICKERSON, 57, of Pontiac, died
April 23, 2010.
He is survived by his son, Michael
Dickerson of Florida; daughter, Sarah
Dickerson of Florida; sisters and brother-
in-law, Phyllis and Simcha Shapiro of
Bloomfield Hills, Patty Gholdian of
California and Florida; many other loving
family members and friends.
ater that brought them together.
estly felt they were important,
Sidney, who was involved in
not for recognition:' said Susan.
a theatrical production in
One of Mrs. Winer's many
Detroit, stopped by a differ-
pet projects was training and
ent theater to view an actress
organizing volunteers and teach-
in a play Melba was directing.
ers for the "English as a Second
Melba kicked him out — but he
Language" program at the JCC.
persisted and eventually earned
Her generosity extended outside
a place not only on her set, but
of the classroom and into her
also in her heart.
home, where she invited the new
Melba Win er
The Winers' generosity can
Americans and their families for
be seen in many places includ-
Passover or Rosh Hashanah.
ing the Sidney and Melba
"Twenty-two years later, these
Winer dance barn and fine arts program
same families were still coming to her house
at Camp Tamarack in Ortonville; a scholar-
for the holidays',' said Susan. "One of her
ship at Sidney's alma mater, the University
strengths was that she adopted the world in
of Michigan; and a scholarship at Wayne
the most extraordinary way, with such open-
State University for students in the commu- ness, integrity and genuine warmth:'
nications and theater programs.
When Mrs. Winer turned 80, she threw
In addition to the arts, Mrs. Winer was
a party where 117 women, ranging in age
involved in a myriad of philanthropic and
from 28 to 100, gathered in her honor.
social service organizations and activi-
"If she met someone interesting, they
ties such as the Anti-Defamation League
became part of her life said Susan. "She
(ADL) and the Farmington Hills-based
was a quintessential role model for every
Holocaust Memorial Center, where she
generation, as a Jewish woman, a mother,
helped train volunteer docents.
a wife and as a friend."
She received honors from groups
Along with her compassionate side,
throughout the community including
Mrs. Winer was also a "force to be reck-
JET, Jewish Women in the Arts, the ADL,
oned with:' according to her daughter.
Federation, Jewish Senior Life's Eight Over
"Everyone knew that you didn't argue
80 and State of Israel Bonds.
with Melba Winer," said Susan.
According to her daughter Susan, her
Mrs. Winer was particularly close to
mother never quite understood why
her sister, Esther Mintz, whom she con-
she was selected for honors because she
sidered her friend, her companion and
believed that giving back to the community her "rock:' especially given that her chil-
was something people are supposed to do.
dren and grandchildren all lived in other
"She did these things because she hon-
states. She and her grandchildren shared
Contributions may be made to the
American Heart Association or a char-
ity of one's choice. Arrangements by
Dorfman Chapel.
HELEN DRESNER, 84, of Franklin, died
April 23, 2010.
She is survived by her husband, Joseph
Dresner; son and daughter-in-law, James
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of the late Larey Dresner; loving sister of
the late Gail Parr.
Interment at Clover Hill Park Cemetery.
ontributions may be made to Karmanos
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78
and Linda Raiskin of Bloomfield Hills;
daughters, Carol Chait of Calfornia, Lori
Dresner of Colorado; grandchildren,
Jonathon and Steven Raiskin, Evan and
Daniel Chait; brothers-in-law, Milton
Dresner, Sol Dresner and Louis Parr;
nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Dresner was the beloved wife of
the late Sidney Raiskin; loving mother
a mutual adoration and closeness that
transcended their geographical distance.
"She had a tremendous joy of life, right
up until the end:' said Susan. As ill as she
was, if people came to see her, she wasn't
going to be found in bed. She was the
consummate hostess:'
Shortly before her death, Mrs. Winer
told Susan that she wanted her death to
be commemorated not with sadness, but
with music, good food and drinks, laugh-
ter and stories about family and friends.
She said to her daughter, "I've had
quite a life. My parents encouraged me
to explore life and seek challenges. My
mother was my role model; she believed
that if you give to your community, it will
give back to you. I've tried to live like that. I
hope I did. And I've enjoyed every moment
of my life here. Ifs been a great ride!"
Survivors include her children, Susan
Winer (Betsy Brill) of Chicago, Jan (David
Kirschner) and Harry (Shelley Hack)
of Los Angeles; grandchildren Matthew,
Eric, Rose and Jesse; sister and brother-
in-law Esther and Marvin Mintz of West
Bloomfield; nieces, nephews and an
extended family of friends and relatives
across the country and around the world.
Funeral services were at Ira Kaufman
Chapel with interment at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery. Contributions may be made to
the Sidney J. and Melba Winer Fine Arts
Program at Camp Tamarack, Hadassah,
the Sidney J. Winer Scholarship at the
University of Michigan or an organization
of one's choice. El
Obituaries
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