Obituaries

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'Our Miss Jean'

Esther Allweiss Ingber
Special to the Jewish News

had no business experience. First located
on Wyoming Avenue across from Mumford
High School in Detroit, the nursery
school later was housed at Young Israel of
throng of more than 700 people
Greenfield on 10 Mile Road in Oak Park.
gathered at the funeral of beloved
Rabbi Bergman noted that Miss Jean "could
preschool teacher Jean Raznick
love any child" ... and she took care of any-
Klaristenfeld — whose Miss Jean's Nursery
School was a fixture in Detroit and Oak Park one, even those who couldn't afford to pay."
After closing her school, Jean volunteered
for 22 years, 1957-1979.
and made more friends at a Catholic institu-
To them, she will forever be "Miss Jean:'
tion, Seton Nursery School,
Admired for her kind heart,
in Southfield. Her other vol-
million-dollar smile and vivacious
unteer affiliations included
spirit, Mrs. Raznick Klaristenfeld,
Hadassah and City of Hope
96, a former Southfield resident of
Cancer Fighters. She loved
Pompano Beach, Fla., died Dec. 29,
playing mah jongg and canas-
2010.
ta, and took up golf at age 66.
During the service Friday at Ira
Although his grandmoth-
Kaufman Chapel in Southfield,
er was widely known around
several family members spoke
town for being Miss Jean, or
and Rabbi Aaron Bergman and
for her social and charitable
Cantor Daniel Gross of Adat
activities, Brian Raznick
Shalom Synagogue in Farmington
noted, "Her family was her
Hills officiated.
most important possession."
Jean's family, including her
Jean Raz nick
It began with "two hus-
first husband, Maurice "Maury"
Kiaristen feld
bands who adored her:'
Raznick, were charter members
daughter Ceci said. Mel
and "part of the social glue" of
Raznick said their parents' happy marriage
Adat Shalom, wrote the shul's former Rabbi
lasted 53 years —ending only with Maury's
Daniel Nevins in a letter read at the funeral.
passing.
Rabbi Herbert Yoskowitz of Adat Shalom
After her husband's death in 1988, Jean
wrote of Jean's "courage and inner strength"
remained active. Rabbi Bergman said she
— surviving several bouts of cancer and
was "like a teenager" after falling in love and
back surgeries.
marrying, at age 77, her second husband,
Born Jean Bodner on Jan. 24, 1914, she
William "Willie" Klaristenfeld. They first met
was a baby when her father, Leo, left their
while saying Kaddish for their respective
home in Krakow, Poland, to make a better
deceased spouses in Florida and married
life for his family in the United States. Wife,
three years later.
Molly, and their three daughters joined him
Rabbi Ken Klaristenfeld recalled when his
nine years later in Chicago, where Leo had
father first mentioned Jean: "Seeing the twin-
a grocery store. Jean adapted quickly to
kle in my dad's eyes was all I needed to know."
America and excelled in school. She and her
Jean was a consummate hostess who
sister Ann won a beauty contest at the 1939
loved to dance at parties. Julie Rosen said
Chicago World's Fair.
her grandmother "... always seemed to have
Maury Raznick, a businessman, was so
something to celebrate. Her glass was over-
taken with Jean that he proposed on their
flowing."
second date. They married in 1936 and in
The Klaristenfelds enjoyed many friends
1945 the family moved to Detroit, where
in Florida. Willie passed away, however, after
Maury became partners with his broth-
14 years of marriage.
ers in Crown Pickles. A child of the Great
Depression, Jean shared everything with
Embraced Family
those she held dear.
Although widowed again, she remained lively.
"She ate the bones of lamb chops so we
Rabbi Klaristenfeld said his stepmother told
could have the meat:' recalled her oldest
him "she felt lucky to have two families to
daughter, Ceci Rosen. "She was the most
call her own!' To her, there was no difference
unselfish person I've ever known."
between blood relatives and in-laws: Family
was family. She loved going to all family
Love For Kids
members' events and at age 80, took everyone
To help support the family, Jean worked as a
on a cruise. Jean gave great-granddaughters
secretary and then in market opinion research,
Molly and Emily Levine a chuckle when they
sometimes taking her children along.
happened upon her and caregiver Angela
Daughter Gerrie Sollish assisted at Miss
Pitter in a mall's Victoria's Secret store.
Jean's Nursery School, "an instant suc-
"She made everyone feel welcome and
cess," she said, even though her mother

A

included," Rabbi Bergman said.
This "bigger-than-life personality:' as Beth
Sollish described her grandmother, was fond
of making toasts, usually preceded by, "I'd
like to say a few words." Words of wisdom
Sollish remembers from Grandma Jean are:
"Say something nice about everyone "Live
with integrity" and "Love deeply."
Known for her fashionable, well-groomed
appearance, Jean was fond of reminding her
granddaughters: "'Always put on your lip-
stick because you don't know whom you are
going to meet," Rosen said.
Son Mel said the family held an early 97th
birthday celebration in the days before she
died with a dozen family members at her
side and many more sharing the day with
their matriarch via video conferencing. After
seeing her family's faces both at her bedside
and on the computer hookup, "a big warm
smile came across her face Mel said.
"Mom looked as happy and as pretty as
ever.
Jean Raznick Klaristenfeld is survived by
her children, Ceci and Leo Rosen of Del Ray
Beach, Fla., Gerrie and Buddy Sollish of West
Bloomfield, Mel and Elaine Raznick of West
Bloomfield and Kenny and Susie Raznick of
Bloomfield Hills; grandchildren, Dr. David
Rosen, Dr. Robert Rosen, Julie Rosen, Nancy
and Scott Levine, Ron and Nancy Sollish,
Steve and Lisa Sollish, Beth Sollish and Lisa
Bargende Sollish, Brian and Rochelle Raznick,
Dr. Lisa and Jason Hodes, Jason and Stacey
Raznick, Jennifer Raznick and fiance Dr. Brad
Morganstern; great-grandchildren, George
Sarin, Molly and Emily Levine, Gregory,
Jonathan and Will Sollish, Harper and Remy
Sollish, twins Gracie and Jake Raznick, Megan
and Talia Hodes and Riley Raznick; sister,
Esther Kosova ; sister-in-law, Shirley Raznick;
brother-in-law, Jerry Raznick.
In addition, she is survived by loving
nieces and nephews and loving caregivers
Angela Pitter and Barbara Batten. She is also
survived by William Klaristenfeld's children,
Rabbi Kenneth and Barbara Klaristenfeld,
Aliza (the late Jerry) Klaristenfeld, Jane (the
late Harvey) Klaristenfeld, and Alice Amster;
and many grandchildren, great-grandchil-
dren and great-great-grandchildren.
"Miss Jean" was the beloved wife of the
late Maurice Raznick and the late William
Klaristenfeld; cherished sister of the late
Ann Millis; and dear sister-in-law of the late
Fred Raznick, the late Frances Silverman and
the late Herman Raznick.
Interment was at Adat Shalom Memorial
Park. Contributions may be made to Jewish
Adoption and Foster Care Options, Autism
Respite and Residential Center, 4200 N.
University Dr., Sunrise, FL 33351, www.
jafco.org, or a charity of one's choice.

Obituaries

EDITH AVERBUCH, 87, of West
Bloomfield, died Dec. 26, 2010.
She is survived by her hus-
band of 63 years, Isadore "I.A."
Averbuch; daughters and son-in-
law, Sharon and Jeffrey Diskin
of Southfield, Susan Averbuch
of Commerce Township; son
and daughter-in-law, Steven
and Maralyn Averbuch of West
Bloomfield; grandchildren,
Aaron and Joelle Averbuch,
Jared Averbuch, Elana Averbuch,
Daniel Diskin and Rachel Diskin;
great-granddaughter, Aviva
Averbuch; sisters-in-law, Anne
(the late Samuel) Sukenic and
Arlene Zonder; loving nieces,
nephews and cousins.
Mrs. Averbuch was the
beloved daughter of the late
Samuel and the late Sarah
Zonder; cherished sister of the
late Arthur Zonder, the late Jack
(the late Seyma) Zonder and
the late Esther (the late Samuel)
Silverman.
Contributions may be made
to a charity of one's choice.
Graveside services and inter-
ment were held at Hebrew
Memorial Park Cemetery in
Clinton Township. Arrangements
by Hebrew Memorial Chapel.

LEONARD BENSKY, 94, of
Seattle, Wash., formerly of Oak
Park, died Nov. 26,2010.
Born in Rochester, N.Y., Mr.
Bensky received a degree from
the City College of New York.
After serving as a naval officer
during World War II, he moved
to Detroit, where for many years
he owned Grand Schaefer and
Grand Schaefer North Auto Parts.
He was also a longtime member
of Congregation Beth Shalom in
Oak Park.
He was preceded in death
by his wife of 47 years, Judith
Meyers Bensky. He is survived
by sons and daughter-in-law,
Jonathan and Sandy of Seattle,
Alex of Ferndale, Dan and
Lillian of Seattle; grandchildren
Brian Bensky, Carrie Pitzulo,
and Miriam, Miles, Jessie and
Jordan Bensky.
Interment in Seattle.
Contributions may be made to
Congregation Herzl-Ner Tamid,
http://www.h-nt.org/donations .
htm., or the Tutwiler Clinic of
Taliahatchee, Mississippi,
tutwilerclinic.org/help.html.

Obituaries on page 58

January 6 a 2011

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