obituaries
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Communal Leader
A Zest For Life
S
ita Levy was a captivating
mother, mentor, counselor
and hostess, who entertained
everyone from Nobel Prize winners to
housewives to famous musicians to Dr.
Jack Kevorkian in her Bloomfield Hills
home.
"I cannot imagine a world without
Rite was the common
reaction when word
spread of her death.
Mrs. Levy, a resident of
Bloomfield Hills, was 83.
Dr. Ratna Naik, chair-
man of Wayne State
University's physics
department, said simply,
"Rita was everybody's
mom!" Mrs. Levy, 83,
the wife of well-known
internist Dr. Stanley H.
Levy, died Sept. 18, 2011, Rita Levy
in their home after an ill-
ness of several months.
Born to William Halperin and the for-
mer Lena Lentzer in Detroit on Dec. 15,
1927, Rita lost her father, a supervisor
for the former Detroit Street Railways
division, when she was a teenager. That
did not stop her from becoming an
intrepid sailor and licensed pilot, who as
a young woman once flew from Detroit
to Chicago by following the highway
below.
She graduated from Central High
School and attended what became
Wayne State University before marrying
her first husband, the late Dr. Raymond
Jacobs.
Later, she founded and created
Celebrations, which flourished as a
highly successful event and party plan-
ning business in Southeastern Michigan.
Some of her most flamboyant
celebrations were her famous "semi-
annual birthday parties" for her second
husband, Dr. Stanley Hurwick Levy, a
Pittsburgh native who has practiced
medicine in Detroit, beginning at the
former Sinai Hospital, for more than
half a century.
teven I. Victor is described vari-
Yolks.
ously as engaging, bigger-than-
Steve Victor was a proud Jew. He was
life, funny, joyful, successful,
an active member of the Jewish commu-
generous, Dad, Grandpa, partner, friend
nity and a committed Zionist. His com-
and husband. And he was all that.
munal involvement included decades of
But first and foremost, he was, as he
participation in the Jewish Federation
would most want to be remembered, a
and a major and lasting leadership role
man of integrity — a mentsh.
in AIPAC. His early understanding of the
Born in 1926 to immi-
vital importance of pro-
grant parents, Ben and
Israel advocacy inspired
Pauline Victor, Steve
his son David's involve-
grew up living "above the
ment in AIPAC, where
store" — Ben Victor's
David ultimately served
Department Store
as national president
on Hastings Street in
from 2008 to 2010.
Detroit's Paradise Valley
Above all else, Steve
— and working along-
Victor was the consum-
side his parents selling
mate family man. He
shoes and clothes to the
was married to Arlene
neighborhood customers.
Fineman Victor for 45
Despite the long hours
years until her death
and 61/2-day workweeks, Steven I. Vict or
in July 2002. Together,
he remembered these
they had three chil-
years with great fondness. He consid-
dren, David, Julie and Jackie, and seven
ered the store his playground, relishing
grandchildren: George, Robert, Adin and
his interactions with the clientele, all of
Jack (David and Kelly Rogers Victor);
them decades his senior.
Dylan (Julie Victor and Clyde Partner);
This early appetite for life and people
Rafi and Ari (Jackie Victor).
stayed with Steve until his death Sept.
In 2005, Steve was, in his words,
18, 2011, at age 84. He was a resident of
"twice blessed" when he married
Bloomfield Hills.
Marilyn Megdell Victor expanding his
After graduating from Central High
family to include her children, Josh and
School, Steve made a rare exception to
Adrea, and subsequently their four chil-
his commitment to honesty by lying
dren, Jonah and Lucca (Josh and Lila
about his age to enlist in the United
Douek Megdell), and Jacob and Sydelle
States Air Force at age 17 to fight for
(Adrea and Danny Goldberg).
his country. Courtesy of the GI Bill, he
Steven Victor is also survived by his
attended Wayne State University and
loving siblings, Herman Victor (Shirley)
Law School. He practiced law for close to of San Francisco; Shirley Alexander (the
three decades, most of that time based
late Harold Alexander) of Coronado,
in the Guardian Building in downtown
Calif., and Dr. Jay Victor (Dr. Marianne)
Detroit where, he was known among his
of Bloomfield Hills.
circle as "The Mayor of Griswold Street:'
Interment was at Clover Hill Park
In the mid-1970s he became active
Cemetery, Contributions may be made
in real estate, subsequently co-founding
to AIPAC, 251 H Street NW, Washington,
the Michigan Apartment Owners
DC 20001, www.aipac.org ; Yad Ezra,
Association. Steve remained an active
2850 W. 11 Mile, Berkley, MI 48072,
real estate investor until his death.
www.yadezra.org; or Kadima, 15999
In law, business and friendship he
W. 12 Mile, Southfield, MI 48076, www.
was joined by his partner of 60 years,
kadimacenter.org . Arrangements by Ira
Norman D. Katz, and the late William A.
Kaufman Chapel.
R
The Levys were renowned for the
philanthropic works. In 2005, Rita and
Stanley commissioned the famous
sculptor, the late Robert Berks, to create
a bust of Albert Einstein that was then
placed in Princeton, N.J., where the great
scientist lived after fleeing the Nazis.
Besides her husband, Rita is survived
by her daughters, Ronnie
Jacobs and her husband
Dr. Joe Goldenson of
Berkeley, Calif., Shelley
Jacobs Mintz and her
husband Eric Mintz,
of New Jersey, and her
son, William Jacobs of
Flagstaff, Ariz., and his
wife Beverly.
Rita was the loving
grandmother of Jory
Autum Jacobs, Zane
Jacobs, Cameron Jacobs
and Myriah Jacobs, and
the proud great-grandmother of Dakota,
Chase and Cayden Jacobs. She is also
survived by her brother, Sheldon Gantz
of Newtown Square, Pa., and his wife
Joanne, and her sister-in-law Margaret
Gantz. Her brother, Dr. Joseph Gantz,
preceded her in death.
She is also survived by her husband
Stanley's children, E.J. Levy and Rob
Levy; their children, Alana Goldstein,
Stephanie and Daniel Levy; and literally
hundreds of loyal, loving and intensely
grieving friends.
Rita and Stanley Levy were long-
time members of Temple Beth El in
Bloomfield Township.
The family asks that friends continue
to hold Rita in their hearts, as she did
everyone in her life always.
Internment was at Clover Hill
Park Cemetery in Birmingham.
Contributions in Rita's name may
be made to the Orchards Children's
Services; the Wayne State University
planetarium, which is operated by the
physics department; or the Chamber
Music Society of Detroit. Arrangements
by Ira Kaufman Chapel. 1-1
Obituaries on page 126
The Family of the Late
SIMON ERLICH
and
The Family of the Late
MARK ERLICH
DONALD SHARFMAN
announces the unveiling of a
monument in his memory at
announce the unveiling of
monuments in their memory
at 3:00 pm on Sunday, September 25, 2011
at Clover Hill Park Cemetery.
Rabbi David Nelson will be officiating.
Family and friends are invited to attend.
1705960
3:00 pm, on Wednesday,
September 28, 2011
at Machpelah. Cemetery.
Family & friends are invited to
RUTH WINOGRON
ORGANEK
Sept. 4,
1999
Not a day goes by that we don't think of you!
We love you and miss you terribly!
Love,
Mom & Dad,
Jacob, Ali, Rylen, Danielle, John & Russ
Debbie, Joe, Matthew, Sarah & Stefanie
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Obituaries
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September 22 2011 125