obituaries

An Honorable Man

Ronelle Grier

Contributing Writer

T

he Honorable Edward Avadenka
lived up to his judicial title in
ways that extended far beyond
his professional life.
While he enjoyed the respect he gar-
nered from the legal community for his
wisdom and fairness, his greatest source
of joy came from being a deeply commit-
ted husband, father and grandfather.
Judge Avadenka, who lived in West
Bloomfield with his wife, Beverly, died
Aug. 5, 2013, at age 81.
While he is best known for his illus-
trious career as a lawyer and jurist, he
originally worked in pharmacy, inspired
not only by his love of science but by his
older sister Frances, a pharmacist. He
worked with Frances running a drugstore
in Sylvan Lake and eventually joined Sav-
On Drugs, where he helped the company
grow its chain of stores and expand busi-
ness throughout Southeastern Michigan.
He was well into his 40s when he
decided to attend law school and enrolled
in Detroit College of Law. He was admit-
ted to the bar in 1977.
He spent a dozen years as a successful
attorney when his ambition propelled
him toward his next goal: becoming a
judge. He was elected to serve in the
48th District Court, where he later
became chief judge. The district encom-
passes Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills
and Township, and West Bloomfield
Township.

BEVERLY COLMAN,
91, of Bingham Farms,
died Aug. 5, 2013.
She is survived by
her life partner for
the past 30 years,
Richard Bluford; sons
and daughter-in-
Colman
law, Dr. Bradley and
Paula Colman, and Douglas Colman;
grandchildren, Charles, Scott and Laura
Colman.
Mrs. Colman was the beloved wife
for 28 years of the late Charles Francis
Colman; the cherished mother of the
late Frederick Colman; the loving sister
of the late Harvey Hamburger, the late
Robert Hamburger and the late Suzanne
Hamburger Moss.
Interment was at Beth El Memorial
Park. Contributions may be made to
Detroit Symphony Orchestra, 3711
Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48201,
www.detroitsymphony.com ; or National

66 August 15 • 2013

among the original members of B'nai
"He was confident enough to make
these big career changes later in life said Israel Synagogue. He carried on the
daughter Lynne Avadenka, a Huntington
tradition by remaining an active partici-
Woods-based artist. "Being a judge was
pant after the congregation moved from
the job he always loved — it pulled every- Pontiac to West Bloomfield.
thing together"
"Ed was always grounded; he never
On the bench, his combination of jus-
forgot who he was, but he never stopped
growing and learning," said Rabbi
tice and mercy earned him the respect of
Jonathan Berger, who offi-
colleagues, attorneys and
many of those who stood
ciated at the funeral.
before him. He had a repu-
Judge Avadenka first
tation for doing his best to
met Beverly at a youth
put people on the right path
group event when they
whenever he could.
were very young teens.
Throughout his career, he
They reconnected after
a few years, marrying in
endeavored to be a force for
good within the community,
1952 and sharing 60 happy
working to end unfair labor
years together, building a
family and traveling the
practices and promote social
justice. He often showed his Judge Edwa rd Avadenka world.
appreciation for his employ-
"My parents' marriage
ees by bringing each staff
was a role model for all of
member a single carnation in an elegant
us," said Lynne.
vase.
He loved spending time with his
"He was a wonderful man and a great
daughters, taking family vacations, going
to movies, dancing together and impart-
judge said Barry Howard, former chief
judge of Oakland County Circuit, where
ing his love of sports, such as bowling
Judge Avadenka served frequently as a
and basketball. He treated his sons-in-
consultant. "When we had a problem, we
law like his own children, and he trea-
would call Ed because we knew he would
sured being a grandfather. He took great
pride in his grandchildren and enjoyed
take care of business, time and time
again. He was really what being a judge is sharing his love of opera, the symphony,
all about:'
poetry and show tunes.
Judge Avadenka's compassion is best
exemplified by the relationship he
Well Grounded
formed with Liping Cai, a young man he
Judge Avadenka grew up in Pontiac with
and Beverly met during a trip to China.
his older sisters, Shirley and Frances, and
parents, Abraham and Mary, who were
When they learned about the man's

Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 3803
N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington,
VA 22203, www.nami.org . Arrangements
by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

MARILYN
DORFMAN, 84, of

Farmington Hills, died
Aug. 9, 2013.
She is survived by
her daughters and
sons-in-law, Lisa and
Jonathan Landsman,
Dorfman
and Lori and David
Schechter; son and daughter-in-
law, Bruce and Stephanie Dorfman;
grandchildren, Rebecca, Michael and
Richard Cantor, Aaron Landsman, Julie
and Jody Schechter, David Kalk, Jacob
and Samuel Dorfman; brother and
sister-in-law, Barry and Deane Safir.
Mrs. Dorfman was the beloved wife of
the late Stanley Dorfman.
Interment was at Beth El Memorial

Obituaries

Park Cemetery. Contributions may
be made to a charity of one's choice.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

HARRIET CAROLE
DRISSMAN, 72, of

Farmington Hills, died
Aug. 9, 2013.
A founding member
of the Detroit Chapter
of Jewish Defense
League, Mrs. Drissman
Drissman
was previously an art
teacher at Congregation Adat Shalom,
Congregation Beth Shalom and Temple
Shir Shalom. She loved art, painting and
Scrabble and was very politically vocal,
including issues concerning her love for
Israel and the American Constitution.
She was crazy in love with her
husband, family and friends. Feisty and
exceptionally friendly, she would talk to
cashiers, her bank tellers, etc., and made
friends everywhere. She was very young

desire to improve his circumstances,
they offered to be his sponsors, bringing
him to the United States and welcom-
ing him into their home and family. The
Avadenkas continue to maintain a close
bond with Liping, who earned a Ph.D.
from Purdue University and is now a ten-
ured faculty member.
"Judge Avadenka had a thirst for
learning:' said Stephen Cooper, former
chief judge of the 46th District Court in
Southfield. "He always surprised us with
the breadth of his knowledge. But, most
of all, he was profoundly interested in
other people, treating all who came into
his courtroom with dignity and respect"
Edward Avadenka was the husband of
Beverly Avadenka; father of Lynne (Marc
Sussman) Avadenka, Beth Avadenka,
Eve (Hardy Segall) Avadenka, and Liping
(Zhengyu) Cai; grandfather of Max and
Eli Sussman, Drew Siebarth, Mitchell,
Nathan and Roxanne Segall, and Edward
Cai.
He was the dear brother of the late
Frances Avadenka and the late Shirley
Weiss; devoted son of the late Abraham
and the late Mary Avadenka.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery. Contributions may be made
to B'nai Israel Synagogue, 5085 Walnut
Lake Road, West Bloomfield, MI, 48323,
(248) 432-2729, www.bnaiisraelwb.
org; Michigan Opera Theatre, 1426
Broadway, Detroit, MI, 48226, (313)
961-3500, motopera.org; or a charity of
one's choice. Arrangements were by Ira
Kaufman Chapel.

❑

at heart and lived that way, which is why
she got along with all the grandkids so
well.
Mrs. Drissman is survived by her
husband of 40 years, Michael Drissman;
children, Shira and Jeff Muller of
Toronto, Ontario, Avi Drissman of New
York, Talya and Ariel Woolf of Oak
Park, Ezra and Bracha Drissman of
Oak Park, Ari and Gabi Drissman of
West Bloomfield; brother and sister-
in-law, Dr. Arthur and Clara Gaba
of West Bloomfield; other siblings;
grandchildren, Rachel Muller, Yoni
Muller, Dalia Drissman and Tzippora
Drissman.
Contributions may be made to Bais
Chabad of Farmington Hills, 32000
Middlebelt Road, Farmington Hills,
MI 48334. Interment was held at Adat
Shalom Memorial Park in Livonia.
Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial
Chapel.