obituaries >> Obituaries are updated and archived on thejewishnews.com 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 170445 0 Obituaries 1705820 September 22 2011 125