obituaries »
A ‘Shining Star’
for Act One, which intro-
duces inner city kids to theater,
Shelli Liebman Dorfman | Contributing Writer
receiving the Luedders Award
for her selfless devotion.
eanor Reizen once indicated how
THE ‘GRANDE DAME’
Nancy says her mom “was
In 1965, the Reizens moved to
she’d like to be remembered.
a big believer in community
Okemos, near Lansing, when
“I want people to think lovingly
service. She wrote scripts for
Maurice accepted a position as
and kindly of me — and to know that I
fundraisers that benefited
treasured all of them along with the laughter director of the Ingham County
groups such as United Way,
Health Department.
and the fun we shared together,” Leanor
Hadassah and the Boy Scouts
Leanor worked at Lansing’s Leanor Reizen
said, as recalled by her daughter, Nancy
of America,” she said. Leanor
WFMK radio as continuity
Serlin.
raised funds by serving on the
director, also presenting news-
A longtime actress, singer and dancer,
community service board for
casts and being featured in commercials and Channel 23, Public Television in Lansing,
Leanor Reizen of Novi, formerly of
public service spots.
Huntington Woods and Okemos, died May
and donated her skills and time to tape
Over the years on the stage, she won the
13, 2016, at age 93, having succeeded in
radio talking books for the blind.
title of the “grande dame” and a “pillar”
leaving her mark on family, friends and
Because of her role with the Capital
those she touched in the theater community of Lansing theater. She appeared in more
Development Campaign Team that raised
than 80 stage productions at venues includ-
she was a part of for more than 60 years.
money to relocate the Okemos Barn
ing the BoarsHead Theater, the former
Grandson Daniel Serlin noted, “My
Theatre, Leanor bore the honorary title of
Okemos Barn Theatre, Riverwalk Theatre,
grandmother had sparkle — she lit up a
“godparent.”
Cherry County Playhouse with Rita Moreno,
room when she walked in.
She was a founder of the Riverwalk
“Her laughter was always genuine, always Cornwell’s Dinner Theatre, Thunder
Theatre in Lansing, where her portrait
Bay Theatre, True Grist Dinner Theater,
contagious and full of joy.”
hangs in the lobby and where she celebrated
Grand Rapids Summer Fest, Timber Lake
Leanor was born in Maine. Her par-
her 90th birthday with the entire center sec-
Playhouse, MSU Arena Theatre, Lansing
ents, Henry and Mae Grossman, moved
tion filled with her friends and fans.
Civic Players and the Purple Rose Theatre
the family to the Detroit area when she
LOVE OF FAMILY
with Jeff Daniels.
was 13. Even before the move, to combat
Nancy said that, considering all of her
She received numerous awards for her
Leanor’s shyness, her mother enrolled her
mother’s involvement and passions, “she did
in dance lessons and brought her to radio performances.
all this while being a wonderful wife and
Leanor did regular voice-over work and
show auditions where she landed a spot
mother and raising three children. She also
was in the 2002 big screen production
on the Hornberger Coal Company Kiddie
had time to be a den mother and Girl Scout
Super Sucker, a comedy about door-to-door
Hour.
leader for her kids and their friends.” Nancy
vacuum salesmen, with Daniels. She also
Leanor later attended Camp Arowhon
refers to her mom as, “our shining star.”
appeared in Offshore, filmed when she was
in Ontario, performing in summer plays
In later years, Leanor knit one-of-a-kind
83. When she participated in the making of
and, at one point, acting opposite future
an Eminem CD cover, she took Nancy along bedside afghans for each of her great-grand-
star Lorne Greene (the patriarch on TV’s
children.
to be included in the production.
Bonanza) in the Pirates of Penzance.
“In her crowded life, family was first,” son
At times, she and her son Bruce, also an
Leanor received a degree in communi-
Bruce said.
actor and singer, worked together on audio
cations from the University of Michigan,
Leanor’s husband stressed the fun
books and commercials, both on-camera
where she was a member of the Phi Beta
the two had, said Rabbi Amy Bigman
and for radio.
Kappa Society, and met her husband, Dr.
of Congregation Shaarey Zedek in East
She once even acted alongside her hus-
Maurice Reizen, whom she married in 1943.
Lansing, who officiated at the funeral.
While raising their children, Mark, Nancy band when he drove her to a shoot for a
“When I asked Maurice to describe how
national commercial, and he was unexpect-
and Bruce, in Huntington Woods, Leanor
they successfully stayed married for 73
edly offered a part also.
sang in a quartet. She performed with the
years, he said there was a lot of love and a lot
Ridgedale Players and, in the 1960s, facili-
COMMUNITY SERVICE
of humor,” the rabbi said.
tated a radio show, interviewing actors who
For 20 years Leanor volunteered as a docent
Fun-loving, Leanor often took things one
came to the Fisher Theatre.
L
Nibbles
step further than most. She didn’t just have
fond memories of camp, but took a train
ride with Nancy to her 75th Camp Arowhon
reunion, where she was the oldest former
camper in attendance. “She had me take the
canoe paddle she made when she was 13
years old,” Nancy said.
She didn’t just watch a favorite racehorse
on TV. “She went to Kentucky to see and pet
Secretariat,” Nancy remembers.
Always with a full social calendar, Leanor
also worked for issues of importance. “She
was a true feminist, fought for women’s
rights and rights of others,” said daughter-
in-law, Jen Reizen. “She believed in life —
and that she did beautifully.”
Great-granddaughter Leia Serlin said
Leanor inspired her to sing and act. “She
would greet us with her huge smile and
colorful outfits,” said Leia, who loved to try
on Leanor’s collection of hats and wigs. “The
memories I have of her will stay with me
forever and will always make me smile.”
Leanor Reizen is survived by her
husband, Dr. Maurice Reizen; sons and
daughter-in-law, Mark and Jen Reizen of
Howell, Bruce Reizen of Lansing; daughter
and son-in-law, Nancy and Howard Serlin
of Farmington Hills; grandchildren, Jason
Reizen, Jennifer Matley, Daniel and Miry
Serlin, and David and Dana Serlin; great-
grandchildren, Andrew and Leia Serlin,
Molly and Cameron Matley, Lucy and Olivia
Serlin; sister-in-law, Alice Sklansky; and
many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and
friends.
Leanor was the proud and loving great-
grandmother of the late beloved Griffin
Matley; the dear sister-in-law of the late
Morris Sklansky.
Interment was at Beth El Memorial
Park. Contributions may be made to
Riverwalk Theatre, 228 Museum Drive,
Lansing, MI 48933, www.riverwalktheatre.
com; or Congregation Shaarey Zedek
of Lansing, 1924 Coolidge Road, East
Lansing, MI 48823, www.shaareyzedek.
com. Arrangements were by Ira Kaufman
Chapel.
*
Nuts
We use the FRESHEST Kosher
Bakery, Nuts, Chocolate & Fruits
Same Day Local Delivery
Nation Wide Delivery
*
10
OFF
CUSTOM SHIVA TRAYS
$
248.737.8088
150 May 26 • 2016
%BJSZt%FMJt$BOEZ/VUt1BTUSZ
*With Purchase of Any Tray over $50
NIBBLESandNUTS.com
2060330
Northwestern
Highway Store
NOW OPEN!
Feature your business with OyWhataDeal
to acquire quality and eager new customers
via risk-free and highly-targeted marketing.
SPECIAL
By running an offer with OyWhataDeal, your promotion will be e-mailed to thousands
of loyal subscribers who will read about your offer, visit your website, share your business
with their friends and follow you on social networks like Twitter and Facebook.