obituaries

'A Shining Star

Ronelle Grier

Contributing Writer

E

mily Nicole Stillman was known
for her free spirit, boundless
energy, intelligent mind, tal-
ent, compassion and beauty. She was a
devoted daughter, granddaughter and
great-granddaughter, a loving sister,
and a loyal, fun-loving friend. Emily,
19, of West Bloomfield, died Feb. 2,
2013, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in
Kalamazoo, where she was diagnosed
with bacterial meningitis.
Hundreds of friends, family members,
and current and former classmates gath-
ered at Dorfman Chapel in Farmington
Hills on Feb. 5 to mourn the loss of the
young woman who had touched the lives
of everyone who knew her. The mourn-
ers included a busload of students and
teachers from Kalamazoo College, where
Emily was a sophomore. An on-campus
memorial service attended by more than
300 people was held earlier in the week.
The funeral service, officiated by
Rabbis Daniel Schwartz and Michael
Moskowitz and Cantor Penny Steyer of
Temple Shir Shalom, included eulogies
by Emily's father, Michael Stillman, her
older sister Karly Stillman and several
friends and classmates.
Her father described unforgettable
memories of time spent together as a
family, from a recent safari through

ROSE BENNETT, 95, of
West Bloomfield, died
Feb. 6, 2013.
She is survived by
her daughters, Iris
Czajkowski of West
Bloomfield, Adrienne
Labowitch of West
Bennett
Bloomfield; grandchil-
dren, Aimee (Scott)
Lamb, Hardy (former spouse, Gloria)
Labowitch, Ailene Corlin (companion,
Sam Simco); great-grandchildren, Dante,

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Africa to evenings at home watching the
bridal fashion TV show Say Yes to the
Dress and playing word games, at which
Emily was an unsurpassed champion.
She took unabashed delight in reality TV
shows and enthusiastically devoured all
forms of celebrity gossip.
She became an integral
part of every community
she joined: school, camp,
forensics, theater and
countless groups of friends.
At Andover High School
in Bloomfield Township,
Emily participated in the-
ater and became captain of
the Class B state champion-
ship forensics team, always
making time to mentor
newcomers and younger
students.
Emily Nicole
She spent many happy
summers at Camp Sea-Gull
in Charlevoix County, where she was
known as the "go-to" girl for homesick
campers, always ready to provide a
needed hug or comforting word.
Although she had few acquaintances
when she started Kalamazoo College, she
immediately became involved in school
life, bringing together new friends and
forming close relationships that contin-
ued to grow.
Karly described Emily as an exuber-
ant toddler with "scrawny legs and

a squeaky voice," and the two girls
enjoyed being together and formed a
close relationship that continued into
young adulthood. When younger brother
Zachary was born, they welcomed him
into the circle and included him in their
many games and activities.
"From the day Emily
arrived in our lives, she was
always a shining star ...
she lit up every room she
walked into," said Karly.
Emily's family was the
center of her universe. She
enjoyed family time and
sometimes chose an evening
at home over a social night
out. While her friends were
initially disappointed Emily
spent so much time with
her family and not them,
Stillman
they understood the close
bond she shared with her
parents and siblings. She enjoyed being
with her grandparents, taking the time
to teach her grandfather, Dr. Bernard
Lewis, how to use an iPad.
Her friends described Emily as bubbly,
free-spirited and uninhibited, someone
who was always ready to embark on a
new adventure. She also had extraordi-
nary compassion, which she regularly
bestowed upon the people around her
through countless thoughtful words and
actions.

Zoe and Bella Lamb, Justin and Melanie
Corlin; many other loving family members
and friends.
Mrs. Bennett was the wife of the late
George Bennett; the grandmother of
the late Robert Labowitch; sister of the
late Molly Moore and the late Sylvia
Linderman.
Contributions may be made to the ORT
America or to a charity of one's choice.
Interment took place at Adat Shalom
Memorial Park Cemetery in Livonia.
Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.

BETTY BENSON, 93,
of Farmington Hills,
died Feb. 9, 2013.
She is survived by
her daughters and sons-
in-law, Rita and Carl
Fischer of Waterford,
and Sharon and
Benson
Dennis Green of West
Bloomfield; son and
daughter-in-law, Michael A. and Nancy
Benson of Louisiana; grandchildren,
Lauren and Nancie Becker, Marc Benson

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"She was never afraid to be the one
to apologize first," said a friend from
Andover High.
A Kalamazoo classmate talked about a
recent night when she and Emily studied
until dawn, acting out funny stories to
help them memorize more than 70 terms
for an upcoming exam.
"To be with Emily was to laugh," said
another friend. "If each one of us could
embrace just one of Emily's qualities,
our community would surely be a better
place
Emily is survived by her parents,
Alicia and Michael Stillman of West
Bloomfield; sister, Karly Stillman of West
Bloomfield; brother, Zachary Stillman
of West Bloomfield; grandparents,
Sherrill and Dr. Bernard Lewis, Rochelle
Stillman; and great-grandmother,
Beatrice Stillman. She is also survived by
many other loving family members and
a world of devoted friends.
Emily was the granddaughter of the
late Marshall Stillman.
Contributions may be made to a
special fund being established by the
family to aid in the research and cure
for bacterial meningitis. Donations to
the fund may be made to Temple Shir
Shalom at 3999 Walnut Lake Road, West
Bloomfield, MI 48323, (248) 737- 8700.
Interment took place at Adat Shalom
Memorial Park in Livonia. Arrangements
by Dorfman Chapel. ❑

and Sarah Cavatio, Shawne Benson,
Matthew and Jesse Benson, Aaron and
Jeanine Benson, and Joe Spira; great-
grandchildren, Hannah Becker and Elijah
Benson.
Mrs. Benson was the beloved wife of
the late Arthur Benson; the last of eight
children of the late Louis and the late Ethel
Craine; beloved sister-in-law of the late
Martin Moss.
Interment was at Machpelah Cemetery.
Contributions may be directed to Jewish
Hospice & Chaplaincy Network, 6555 W.

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