Obituaries Obituaries are updated and archived on thejewishnews.com 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 cl AMERICAN INC. "Same Location 80 Years" From $10.99 and up WE SHIP NATIONWIDE 248-851-4450 1-800-966-7263 • 248-737-3669 fax Monuments and Markers Bronze Markers Memorial Duplicating Cemetery Lettering & Cleaning CEMETERY INSTALLATION ANYWHERE IN MICHIGAN Call 248-542-8266 6698 Orchard Lake Rd • W Bloomfield MI 48322 www.americangourmet.com Bartenura Moscato D'Asti $11.99 April 29 • WM of the late Larey Dresner; loving sister of the late Gail Parr. Interment at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. ontributions may be made to Karmanos Cancer Institute, Joseph Dresner Family Center, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI 48201, www.karmanos.org . Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. MONUMENT CENTER Gourmet CANISTERS or TRAYS 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 661 E. 8 MILE ROAD FERNDALE 1 1/2 blocks East of Woodward 1556560