obituaries Beloved Obstetrician Ronelle Grier Contributing Writer D r. Morton Lazar had countless experiences during his 101 years, but the most fulfilling were those he shared with his beloved family and the patients he cared for so skillfully and devotedly. Often referring to his obstetrics prac- tice as "a labor of love," he was a fore- runner in the field of minimizing pain during childbirth as well as a proficient and caring physician who earned the trust and respect of his patients and their families. Dr. Lazar, who lived in West Bloomfield with his wife, Hecky, died Nov. 3, 2014. Morton Roger Lazar was born in Lorraine, Ohio, in 1913, the eldest of five children of Hungarian immigrants Irma Deutsch and Isadore Lazar. The family moved to River Rouge when he was an infant, and he and his siblings were raised in a loving home, remaining closely con- nected throughout their lives. As a youngster, when he was called "Pinky" because of his shock of red hair, he took violin lessons and earned a seat in the former All City Orchestra. At River Rouge High School, he was a standout basketball player and played tuba in the school marching band. After majoring in pre-med at Wayne State University (formerly City College), he graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School at age 22, where LAWRENCE G. ASHLEY, 67, of Ferndale, died Nov. 4, 2014, after suffering from frontotemporal dementia for many years. Mr. Ashley was born Ashley in Detroit and received undergraduate and law degrees from Wayne State University. He went on to a success- ful career as an attorney, specializing in family law. The center of his life was his devotion to his wife and two children. Mr. Ashley is survived by his wife, Linda Ashley; children, David (Brie) Ashley, Samantha (Tom Katers) Ashley; grandchil- dren, Julian Izzy Ashley and Joseph Irving Katers; brother, Leonard (the late Denise) Ashley. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be 62 November 13 • 2014 JN Family Life Dr. Lazar met his first wife, Bunny, on a blind date, and their marriage lasted more than 40 years. He welcomed Bunny's two daughters, Maxine and Marijane, as his he had the distinction of being both the youngest graduate in his 1936 class and, own. later, the medical school's oldest living After Bunny passed away, he recon- alumnus. He went to St. Louis, where he nected with Hecky, whom he had known became chief resident at Barnes-Jewish before, and the two were married for 18 Hospital before coming back to work at years until his death. Harper Hospital in Detroit. According to the eulogy delivered by In 1943, Dr. Lazar volunteered to Rabbi Josh Bennett of Temple Israel in serve his country. He West Bloomfield, Hecky was quickly promoted appreciated her husband's to captain, then major, sense of humor, vibrant working as a general sur- attitude toward life and geon in MASH units in loving acceptance of Australia, New Guinea and Hecky's sons, Michael the Philippines. For three and Ron, and her daugh- years, he treated soldiers ter, Cindy. Together, the suffering from numer- couple played golf, danced, ous kinds of injuries and and enjoyed spending time with their many friends in disease until he returned home after being honor- Florida and Metro Detroit. Dr. Morton La zar on his ably discharged in 1946. Golf became a "sec- Inspired by his experi- 100th birthda V ond career" of sorts for Dr. Lazar, who played ences in St. Louis and an anesthesia course he took at Boca West in Florida in Tennessee, Dr. Lazar became a strong and Franklin Hills Country Club in advocate for pain-free childbirth, a new Farmington Hills, winning many trophies and revolutionary concept in those days. and awards. Despite his many achievements in the He was one of the first to use novel pro- cedures such as epidurals, and he was delivery room and on the golf course, known as an innovator, even in an era he considered his greatest accomplish- ments to be his children, 18 grandchil- before technological advances such as in- vitro fertilization, fetal imaging and pre- dren and nine great-grandchildren. He natal surgery. was always supportive and encouraging, serving as a mentor and role model to Later, he joined a group of doctors who traveled the country together visiting other his immediate family and the numerous obstetrical practices to learn new tech- nieces and nephews he included in his inner circle. niques and skills they could use to provide improved care to their own patients. He encouraged them to embrace edu- made at www.theaftd.org ; or mailed to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, AFTD, Radnor Station Bldg., Suite 320, 290 King of Prussia Road, Radnor, PA 19087. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. REMA BURK, 84, of Illinois, formerly of Michigan, died Nov. 4, 2014. A longtime mem- ber of Congregation Beth Shalom and Adat Shalom Synagogue, she was a lifetime member of Hadassah and a life- long student and active participant with the Agency of Jewish Education through Federation. A member of the Yiddish Club, Mrs. Burk was also a graduate of the Florence Melton Adult Learning. She is survived by her husband of 63 Obituaries years, Robert Burk; son, Gerald Burk; daughters and sons-in-law, Ilene Burk and Steven Kowalsky of West Bloomfield, Amy Burk and Bennett Klasky of Highland Park, Ill., Nancy Burk and Howard Moritz of Willmette, Ill.; grandchildren, Marisa Kowalsky and fiance, Daniel Myers, Daniel Kowalsky, Rachel Burk, Michal Burk, Yitzchok and Ariana Burk, Avrum Burk, Benjamin Berenstein, Andrew Klasky, Dana Klasky, Emily Klasky, Samuel Klasky; many adoring great- grandchildren. Mrs. Burk was the dear sister and sister-in-law of the late Laura and the late Edward Skully, the late Mildred and the late Samuel Yura, the late Sylvia and the late Walter Frankel. Contributions may be made to Yad Ezra, 2850 W. 11 Mile Road, Berkley, MI 48072; or to a charity of one's choice. Interment was held at Adat Shalom Memorial Park in Livonia. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. cation, honesty and integrity, and he enjoyed attending their many life cycle events and family celebrations. In addition to golf, he enjoyed bas- ketball, bridge, travel, jazz and Detroit sports, especially U-M football and basketball. He was charismatic, funny, vibrant and intelligent, with a mind like that of a much younger man. Speaking at the funeral service, Dr. Lazar's son Michael remembered when they were out in public how former patients, who fondly called him "Dr. Mumbles:' were always coming over to shake his father's hand and thank him — a testament to the thousands of babies he delivered and families he helped during his long and eminent career. Dr. Lazar is survived by his beloved wife, Hecky Kasle Lazar; sons, Michael Kahn (Annette Murzin), and Ron (Lucy) Nelson; daughters, Marijane Einstein, Maxine (Stuart) Frankel, and Cindy (David) Frania; brother, Howard (the late Gloria) Lazar; sisters, Dorothy (Sam) Essick and Alice (the late Seymour) Cantor; sister-in-law, Gilda (the late Dr. John) Birmingham; and many lov- ing grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was the husband of the late Ethel "Bunny" Lazar and the dear brother of the late Richard (the late Jean) Lazar. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Mort Lazar Memorial Fund, UMHS Medical Development and Alumni Relations, 1000 Oakbrook, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-6815, www.victors.us/ mortlazar; or a charity of one's choice. Arrangements were by Ira Kaufman Chapel. ❑ ALICE JANE COHEN, 94, of Southfield, died Nov. 3, 2014. She is survived by her sons and daughter- in-law, Paul and Sherila Carr of Ohio and Dennis Carr of Texas; grandchildren, Julie Werthmann, Stacie Carr, Michael Carr, Michelle Carr, Lori Carr, Lyndsay Carr; great-grandchildren, Jordan and Jake Werthmann, and Andrew Carr; sister, Ruth Miller; many other relatives and friends. Mrs. Cohen was the beloved wife of the late Morton Cohen for 40 years; the cher- ished mother of the late Sanford Carr; the dear sister-in-law of the late Milton Miller, the late Harry Vinacow, the late Dorothy and the late Harry Kasmer, the late Nettie and the late Irving Katcher, and the late Anna and the late Morrie Mallin. Interment was at Machpelah Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Adat Shalom Synagogue, 29901 Middlebelt, Farmington Hills, MI 48334, www.adatshalom.org; or to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.