soul of blessed memory Dynamic Role Model Who Lit Up Any Room RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER F aylene Owen was an accom- plished businesswoman, a passionate and dedicated volunteer, and a loving and selfless wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Faylene, who lived in East Lansing with her hus- band of 31 years, Larry, died Feb. 1, 2018. She was 82. Faylene had a remarkable career in politics, business, and com- munity and public service. She was known as one of the country’s premier fundraisers, working tire- lessly for candidates such as Gov. Jim Blanchard and President Bill Clinton, who appointed her to serve on the White House Fellows Commission. She founded her own marketing and government relations company, the Mica Corporation, where she served a variety of clients using her out- standing business acumen and boundless energy. Faylene grew up in Detroit, where she graduated from Central High School and attended Wayne State University. She met Larry, a former gubernatorial candidate, through their shared interest in politics, and the two spent more than three decades enjoying world travels and special family time. “She had the highest EQ (emo- tional quotient) of anyone I ever met,” Larry said. “She was the kind of person who lit up any room she walked into.” The couple’s happiness increased as their family grew to include chil- dren’s spouses, whom were warmly welcomed into the fold, grandchil- dren and great-grandchildren. Her house was like a second home where the kids and their friends were always welcome; nothing was off lim- its as long as it made them happy. Owen Her grandson Eric Hughey, who spoke at the funeral service, remembered her childlike exuber- ance and ability to relate to chil- dren on their level. “She was larger than life … she had ‘it,’ that special something, and her magic would rub off on those around her,” Eric said. Despite her many interests and commitments, she always put her family first, providing uncondition- al love and support whenever she was needed. “My mother was an amazing role model, a dynamic woman,” said daughter Cindy Hughey. “She never sat on the sidelines but personally got involved to make things hap- pen … I learned there was nothing I couldn’t do.” Faylene served as a trustee of Michigan State University for eight years, where she mentored stu- dents and advocated for their con- cerns. She was chair of the Sparrow Hospital Foundation and served on the board of directors of the MSU Hillel Student Center, Child Abuse Prevention Services and the Children’s Miracle Network, among many other causes. She received the Tree of Life Award from the Jewish National Fund. Faylene had a unique sense of style, and she enjoyed helping her daughter’s friends get ready for a special night out. She was a dedi- cated member of a weekly poker game. She loved to throw parties and was adept at connecting peo- ple from all walks of life, from bil- lionaires to labor union members. “The secret to her success in pro- moting causes — political, social or educational — was her capacity to convince everyone that what she was doing was real, that it came from her heart and soul,” Larry said. She helped many people over the years, from families at her chil- dren’s school who could not afford shoes for their children, to friends who needed help finding a job, without being asked and without recognition. “She lit up the lives of many ordi- nary people,” Larry said. Faylene Owen is survived by her husband, Larry; sister, Sherry Kaye; children, Cindy (Steven) Hughey and Marc Curtis; stepdaughter, Susan Owen; grandchildren, Jennifer (Eric) Ross, Eric (Robyn) Hughey and Jack Owen; great- grandchildren, Isla Ross, Gavin Ross and Cooper Hughey. She is also remembered fondly by her extended family and a world of col- leagues and friends. Contributions may be made to the Lester and Jewell Morris Hillel Jewish Student Center, 360 Charles St., East Lansing, MI, 48823, www. msuhillel.org. Arrangements by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. • “She was larger than life … she had ‘it,’ that special something, and her magic would rub off on those around her.” — ERIC HUGHEY 70 February 8 • 2018 jn SHIRLEY ADLER, 97, of Huntington Woods, died Feb. 2, 2018. She is survived by her sons and daugh- ters-in-law, Dr. Stuart P. and Susan Adler, Adler and Jay A. and Sharon Adler; grandchildren, Jonathan Adler, Justin and Andrea Adler, David and Melody Adler, Rachel Adler and Brent Woolwine, and Daniel Adler; great-grandchildren, Charles Adler, Catherine Adler, Layla Adler and Lawson Woolwine. Mrs. Adler was the beloved wife of the late John Henry Adler. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network, 6555 W. Maple, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, jewishhospice.org; or American Cancer Society, 20450 Civic Center Drive, Southfield, MI 48076, cancer. org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. ISREAL “IRVING” BAKER, 86, of West Bloomfield, died Feb. 1, 2018. He was active with Friendship Circle and Yad Ezra. Mr. Baker is sur- Baker vived by his wife of 58 years, Natalie Baker; son and daughter- in-law, Bradley and Janette Baker of Oak Park; daughter, Linda Shulman of Sudbury, Mass.; sister and brother-in-law, Ethel and Benjamin Siegal; grandchildren, Jared Shulman, Alissa Shulman, Sari Shulman, Brian Baker, Joshua Baker, David Baker; many loving nephews, nieces and dear friends. Mr. Baker was the loving son of the late Esther and the late Ben Baker; dear brother of the late Morris David Baker. Contributions may be made to Friendship Circle, 6892 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322; Hilda Schechter Home Fund at JARC, 30301 Northwestern Hwy., Farmington Hills, MI 48334; or to a charity of one’s choice. Interment was at Hebrew Memorial Park. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel.