Obituaries Obituaries are updated and archived on thejewishnews.com A Loving Mother Who Defied Tragedy Ronelle Grier Special to the Jewish News S uzanne Bartholomew's selfless concern for others in the face of her own valiant battle against breast cancer came through in all of her relationships — especially where her fam- ily was concerned. "The cancer took everything away from her that it possibly could:' said husband, Dr. Fred Bartholomew."She lost her hair three times, her ability to walk, and, at the end, her eyesight. But as sick as she was, she only worried about taking care of us:' Suzanne was passionate about spreading awareness and raising funds to help oblit- erate the disease that ultimately took her life. She was an active participant in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. In lieu of wedding gifts, she and Fred requested donations to their walking team, Suz Cruise, raising $113,000. Suzanne's courageous fight ended on Jan. 26, 2011, at age 38. The middle child of Alice and (the late) Bert Herman, she attended Michigan State University and graduated first in her law school class at RUTH ASHMAN, 91, of Boca Raton, Fla., died Jan. 25, 2011. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Larry and Maureen Ashman of Farmington Hills, Marty and Roberta Ashman of Boynton Beach, Fla., Sandy and Ruth Ashman of Boca Raton; grandchildren, Joel Ashman, Carlee (Neal) Welbourne, Joshua Ashman, Dawn (Michael) Malenfant, Rubin Ashman, Heather (Ron) Snitil, Brooke (Michael) Hemel; great-grandchildren, Ethan, Spencer, Mallory, Kaela, Lauren and Evan. Mrs. Ashman was the beloved wife of the late Jack Ashman. Interment at the Nusach Hari Cemetery in Ferndale. Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. JERRY COHEN, 78, of St. Clair Shores, died Jan. 25, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Joanna Cohen; daughters and son-in-law, Patti Sharet of Minneapolis, Minn., Lynn and Martin Mark of Silver Springs, Md.; grandchildren, Tsvi, Amalia, Eltzafan, Atarah and Shmuale; brothers and sisters-in-law, Milton and Herta Cohen, Hershel and Toby Cohen; sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Jim Luciano. Contributions may be made to Grosse Pointe Jewish Council, Children's Programming, P.O. Box 36432, Grosse Pointe, MI 48236, www.thegpjc.com , or NARSAD, 60 Cutter Mill Road, #404, Great 54 February 3 2011 IN the University of Detroit. While preparing for the 2009 walk, Tragedy struck Suzanne's family even Suzanne was diagnosed with Stage 4 meta- before her own illness. Her younger static breast cancer. Fred and his daughter brother Mark died following a weightlift- Caroline, then 14, walked in her honor. ing accident. Suzanne, who In her eulogy, Rabbi had shown her devotion by Rachel Shere of Adat holding fundraisers to help Shalom Synagogue in with medical expenses, was Farmington Hills said that devastated. Soon afterward, Suzanne did not let chemo- her loss was compounded by therapy or surgery prevent the death of her first husband, her from making huge Andrew Leibovitz. The young dinners, planning birthday widow was left to raise their parties, answering e-mails two daughters, Effie and Marli. and overseeing the family's Ever resourceful, she put her complicated schedule. Two law degree to work, impressing weeks before her death, her colleagues with her talent Suzanne visited Ellie's Suzanne B artholomew and dedication. fourth-grade classroom to Suzanne had been dating make a presentation for Fred Bartholomew about a year when she Disability Awareness Week. was diagnosed with cancer. He remained "She was by far the strongest person I supportive, and the couple were married in have or will ever meet," said one of her best 2008, establishing a home in Birmingham friends, Stacey Wittenberg of Bloomfield with their new blended family. Suzanne Hills. "She had a hundred reasons to be had a warm and loving relationship with withdrawn, angry and bitter but chose Fred's children: Ryan, Caroline and Faren, instead to be a person of light, grace, dig- referring to the two girls as her "bonus nity and strength." daughters." Daughter Marli told the roomful of tear- ful funeral guests that she had "the best mom any girl could ever want." Added daughter Ellie, "She was my lead- er, the person who guided me through life. When I'm older, I want to be just like her." Suzanne Bartholomew is survived by her beloved husband, Dr. Fred Bartholomew; loving children, Ellie and Marli Bartholomew; adoring mother, Alice Herman. She is also survived by Fred's daughters and son, Caroline, Faren and Ryan Bartholomew; cherished brother, Steven Herman; Ellie and Marli's grand- parents, Karolyn and Arie Leibovitz; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Dr. Edward and Helena Bartholomew; broth- er-in-law and sister-in-law, Dr. Richard and Audra Bartholomew; uncle and aunt, Bernie and Miriam Gasee; loving nieces and nephews and a world of loving friends. She was the wife of the late Andrew Leibovitz; daughter of the late Bert Herman; sister of the late Mark Herman. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Susan G. Komen 3-day Walk, Suz Cruise, the3day.org . Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. II Neck, NY 11021-3196, wwwnarsad.org . Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. Farmington Hills, MI 48334, www.jarc. org ; American Heart Association, P.O. Box 15120, Chicago, Illinois, 60693, www.americanheart.org ; American Cancer Society, 20450 Civic Center Drive, Southfield, Michigan 48076, www. cancer.org ; or a charity of one's choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. SAMUEL DEUTSCH, 89, of Walled Lake, died Jan. 25, 2011. He is survived by his son and daugh- ter-in-law, David and Susan Deutsch of Farmington Hills; daughter, Debra Lipson of Farmington Hills; daughter and son-in-law, Lori and Rodney Hoover of Farmington Hills; sister-in-law, Leatrice Lefkowitz; grandchildren, Mark, Brian and Kevin Lipson, Daniel and Jonathan Deutsch, Michael Hoover. Mr. Deutsch was the devoted husband of the late Sylvia Deutsch; father-in-law of the late Barry Lipson. Interment at the Temple Israel Gardens of Beth El Memorial Cemetery in Livonia. Contributions may be made to ENSURE- Endowment for Surgical Research– Children's Hospital. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. DAVID MORRIS ECKHOUSE, 58, of Huntington Beach, Calif., died Jan. 26, 2011. He is survived by his brother and sister- in-law, Dr. Arnold and Beverly Eckhouse of Florida; sister and brother-in-law, Fern and Robert Wallach of West Bloomfield; nieces and nephews, Jeff (Leslie) Eckhouse, Kim (Brad) Tobin, Julie Brydon, Stacey (Jeffrey) Ehrlichman, Leslee Wallach, Randi (Ramin) Rafie, Darcee (Marc) Matlen; 10 great- nieces and great-nephews; many other loving family members and friends. Obituaries Mr. Eckhouse was the son of the late Julius and the late Rita Eckhouse; uncle of the late Todd Wallach. Interment at Machpelah Cemetery in Ferndale. Contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. DR. STEWART EPSTEIN, 67, of West Bloomfield, died Jan. 24, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Cheri Epstein; daughters and son- in-law, Lisa Epstein of Epstein Chicago, Ill., Jodi Epstein and Kemal Karyemez of Del Ray Beach, Fla.; granddaughter, Ayla Karyemez; sister and brother-in-law, Rosalind and Leon Levine of Scottsdale, Ariz.; nieces and nephews, Leslie and Alan Ruby, Stacey Olson, David Levine and Sherise Lee, and their children. Dr. Epstein is also survived by Cheri's children, Linda and Jason Ishbia, and their children Jacob and Josh, Laurie Litberg and her son Tony, Julie and Michael Hauser and their children, Yehudah, Esther, Yaakov and Yitzchak. He was the cherished husband of the late Janice Charach Epstein; the beloved son of the late Jack and the late Pearl Epstein. Interment at Machpelah Cemetery. Contributions may be made to JARC, 30301 Northwestern Highway, Suite 100, IRVING A. FADER, 89, of Farmington Hills, died Jan. 25, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Fader; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Sandra and James Hack, Beth Fader; many loving nieces and nephews. Mr. Fader was the dear brother of the late Maxwell, the late Lester, the late Libby. Contributions may be made to Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, 6735 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301; or JARC, 30301 Northwestern Hwy., Farmington Hills, MI 48334. Services and interment at Adat Shalom Memorial Park in Livonia. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. SEEMA FISCHEL, 90, of Southfield, died Jan. 29, 2011. She is survived by her beloved husband, Walter Fischel; brother, Haskell Rothstein of Ann Arbor; many loving nieces, neph- ews, other family members and friends. Interment at the B'nai Israel Memorial Gardens in Novi. Contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.