obituaries Obituaries from page 80 Detroit Remembers Joan Suzanne Chessler Contributing Writer A s Joan Rivers' family mourns her death, they might take comfort in the outlook she expressed to the Detroit Jewish News before a speaking engagement at Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills. The comedian got serious about her own life choices as she prepared to speak before a group attending the "Choices" program of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit: "Not to dwell on bad things was a very conscious choice — moving forward, just getting on with it and living in a positive, rather than a negative, way:' she said in a phone conversation. "I've been through ups and downs so many times that I just take it all and grow with it:' Rivers, who died Sept. 4 after suffering cardiac arrest during a medical proce- dure, was 81. After the suicide of her husband, Edgar Rosenberg, years earlier, she had moved forward with club appear- ances, TV shows and book projects. Rivers had visited Michigan many times to speak and perform standup comedy. She was planning to return Nov. 15 for two shows at Andiamo in Warren. During the past 10 years, she brought her comedy there eight times. Joseph Vicari, CEO of the restaurant chain, has happy memories of Rivers, who showed him the same serious side that she presented to the IN. "On stage, Joan was witty and brassy; off stage, she was not brassy at all:' Vicari remembered. "She was very kind to our staff and to me. Joan was very low main- tenance for us. The first time she was here, she asked where she could do some antiquing, and we suggested places in Royal Oak." Vicari was particularly impressed with her treatment of Aaron Caruso, a local opera singer she agreed to let open her act. She liked him so much that she booked him to open at other shows in other cities. Jewish Pride Rivers, who brought her Jewish back- ground into her appearances, told the newspaper she was very proud to be Jewish. "I think the philosophy is incredible and wonderful:' she said. "I'm proud of Israel. I'm proud of what we've done. "I love the traditions, and I love the holidays. I love the strength of all the peo- ple. I love that we get through. All that, to me, is terrific." Rivers said she came from a funny fam- ily — a funny father, a funny sister and a funny-enough mother. In Michigan, she turned to Yiannis Karimalis at Salon Edge in West Bloomfield to do her hair. At his work sta- tion, he keeps a picture of them together. "I followed the way her hair was done with extensions:' recalls Karimalis, rec- ommended to the comedian by a TV personality. "Afterward, she sent my wife some jewelry from her line. "She was very serious and gave me a positive outlook as she told me about Kmr vot HELPING SENIORS PAY TRIBUTE TO THEIR LOVED ONES Temple Israel, in conjunction with its Robert Sosnick Family Life Center, funded by the Ira Kaufman Chapel, presents the 17th Annual Kever Avot. This very special program provides an opportunity for older adults in the community to visit the gravesides of their loved ones. This program serves the residents of assisted living facilities and apartments. Spend Sunday September 14th remembering your loved ones. Each participant will be accompanied by a volunteer on a one-to-one basis for the morning. To register or for more information, please contact Laura or Joan in the Temple Israel Robert Sosnick Family Life Center at 248-661-5700 Ext:111 or email Laura@temple-israel.org THE IRA KAUFMAN CHAPEL 18325 W. Nine Mile Road Southfield, MI 48075 248.569.0020 • IraKaufman.com 82 September 11 • 2014 Obituaries raef Making a difference. Joan Rivers friends experiencing the medical problem I had at the time. I'm heartbroken about her death:' Rivers, who said the best advice she gave her daughter was to enjoy the moment, gave time to many causes — UJA, Tay-Sachs and the Wiesenthal fund in the Jewish community. "We had two shows planned for Joan, and one already was sold out:' Vicari said. "I'd like to find another comedian to appear that night and use proceeds for one or more charitable causes important to her." Born Joan Alexandra Molinsky in Brooklyn, N.Y., she is survived by her daughter, Melissa, and grandson Cooper. ❑