obituaries
A 64-Year Love Story
Ronelle Grier
Contributing Writer
B
abs Kaufman believed in living
life to its fullest, a principle she
practiced every day and shared
with those who were lucky enough to
know her.
Just days before celebrating her 64th
wedding anniversary, Mrs. Kaufman,
83, died suddenly on Feb. 27, 2012, on a
cruise ship off South America.
Her unexpected death shocked and
saddened her family, especially her
husband, Herb, funeral director at Ira
Kaufman Chapel in Southfield, with
whom she had shared a lifelong love
affair that began at an auspicious meeting
arranged by mutual friends. Babs was 19
and Herb was 23 when they got married.
"We grew up together:' said Herb. "We
did everything together; we had so many
plans for the future. I still can't believe
she's gone, but I'm grateful for the won-
derful life we had."
According to Rabbi Joseph Krakoff
of Congregation Shaarey Zedek in
Southfield, one of the first questions Babs
asked her future husband was whether he
played bridge.
"He answered, `Yes; and they've been
playing ever since said Krakoff.
The Kaufman family grew to include
three children, 13 grandchildren and
three great-grandchildren — and noth-
ing brought greater joy to Babs and Herb
than spending time with all of them.
For the past several years, the couple
divided their time between their home
in Franklin and their second residence in
LaQuinta, Calif., not too far from the spot
where they honeymooned 64 years ago.
"When we were there, it was like a sec-
ond honeymoon for both of us',' said Herb.
An Active Life Together
is married to the Kaufmans' daughter
They led an active life that included ski-
Ilene. "They led an amazing, fabulous
ing, lively games of bridge, golfing, trav-
life."
eling and enjoying time with their many
friends in Michigan and California.
Love And Inspiration
"They literally did everything togeth-
The couple's passion for each other and
er; they loved each other's company:'
for the world around them was an inspi-
said Krakoff, recalling how Herb always
ration to their children.
referred to his wife as "my bride."
"My mother was loving and enthusias-
Babs was also an accomplished golfer,
tic about everything I did; she loved my
winning championships at several of the wife, Judy, and our kids so much:' said
clubs where the couple played.
Bud Kaufman. "She taught me to love
"Babs was a fierce competitor on the
and appreciate the people around me
golf course said Rabbi Daniel Syme of
even more, and to live a good and enthu-
Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Township.
siastic life."
Syme has had a long-
Despite her busy sched-
standing relationship with
ule, Babs found time to
the Kaufmans, who were
give back to the Jewish
close friends of his parents,
community. She was an
the late Rabbi M. Robert
active member of National
and the late Sonia Syme
Council of Jewish Women,
of Temple Israel in West
where she volunteered
Bloomfield.
for the Meals on Wheels
"As Babs became my
program and served as
friend, too, I came to know
treasurer for the annual
her as a woman of strength
Brandeis used book sale.
and dignity:' said Syme. "As
The Kaufmans were mem-
a wife, mother, and grand-
bers of both Shaarey Zedek
mother, there was no one
and Temple Beth El.
more loyal and protective of Babs Kaufm an
In 1967, Babs and Herb
those she loved."
welcomed Kees Gorter, a
Syme said Babs was instrumental
Dutch exchange student. For almost 45
in launching the "Listen-In" program
years, Kees, his wife, Monica, their three
where congregants, friends and family
children and granddaughter have nour-
members could phone in to listen to live
ished and maintained a special bond
services taking place at Temple Beth El
with the Kaufman family.
from anywhere in the world. He said the
"She had a fabulous disposition:' said
program, which eventually expanded to
Krakoff. "She was elegant, sweet and
Shaarey Zedek and Temple Israel, was a
always had a smile; she had an incred-
blessing for people who were unable to
ible sense of humor."
attend weddings or bar and bat mitz-
Babs Kaufman is survived by her hus-
vahs due to health or travel constraints.
band of 64 years, Herbert Kaufman; son
"They never stopped living, they never and daughter-in-law, Dr. Joseph "Bud"
stopped doing:' said David Techner, who
and Judy Kaufman of Franklin; daugh-
ter and son-in-law, Ilene and David
Techner of Birmingham; grandchildren,
Josh Kaufman and Nicole Israel, Carly
and Robert Vollero, Jenna Kaufman, Ari
and Ashley Techner, Chad Techner and
Whitney Brown, Stephanie Techner and
Zachary Burkhead, and Annie Dube;
great-grandchildren, Milo and Dahlia
Techner and William Kaufman; brother-
in-law, Nathan Feldman. She is also sur-
vived by Otto Dube; nieces, nephews and
a world of friends.
Mrs. Kaufman was the cherished
mother of the late Patricia "Patty"
Kaufman Dube; the beloved grand-
mother of the late Alicia Joy Techner;
the devoted daughter of the late Saul
and the late Anne Kopman; the loving
sister of the late Lt. J.G. Joseph "Bud"
Kopman; the dear sister-in-law of the
late Charlotte Feldman, the late Jean
and the late Gerald Sucher; the beloved
daughter-in-law of the late Ira Kaufman,
the late Florence Kaufman and the late
Rose Grace Kaufman.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to Jewish
Hospice & Chaplaincy Network, Babs
and Herb Kaufman Legacy Fund, 6555
W. Maple, West Bloomfield, MI 48322,
www.jewishhospice.org; Temple Beth El,
Babs and Herb Kaufman Listen-In Fund,
7400 Telegraph, Bloomfield Hills, MI
48301, www.tbeonline.org; Congregation
Shaarey Zedek, Babs and Herb Kaufman
Listen-In Fund, 27375 Bell Road,
Southfield, MI 48034, www.shaareyzedek.
org; or Temple Israel, Babs and Herb
Kaufman Listen-In Fund, 5725 Walnut
Lake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48323,
www.temple-israel.org .
Arrangements were by Ira Kaufman
Chapel.
Obituaries on page 54
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