MARCH 26 • 2020 | 53
Soul
of blessed memory
Catering Icon with a 70-Year Career
ESTHER ALLWEISS INGBER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
S
hirlee Bloom was an “icon”
in the Jewish community
as the owner of Bloom’
s,
a pioneering kosher catering
firm started by her parents in
Detroit. Shirlee herself had a
legendary 70-year career.
Shirlee Bloom Feroni, 85, of
Oak Park, died on March 14,
2020.
Born in Detroit on April
29, 1934, she graduated from
Central High School. At age 15,
she joined her parents, Harry
and Lillian “Lil” Bloom, at their
kosher catering business in the
Dexter-Davison area. They
moved to the Labor Zionist
building on Schaefer at Seven
Mile and became popular as
Mayfair Caterers.
Harry Bloom died in 1958.
The following summer, Lil
brought her still-grieving
daughter to Fidelman’
s Resort
in South Haven, Michigan.
Shirlee met Tony Feroni while
he was singing on stage. They
had an immediate connection
and married soon afterward.
Tony passed away in 1990.
Cookie Chimoff,
who called her mother
“my best friend,
”
said their home was
“filled with fun and
laughter.
” Her two
half-brothers, George
and Billy, adored
Shirlee and considered
her their “mom.
” She
also raised her two
nephews, Rob and
Steve, and considered them
her sons. Her house was open
to anyone who needed a place
to stay. Everyone felt safe and
loved in her presence.
She fulfilled “
the mitzvah of
hospitality by welcoming people
with food and love, in the noble
tradition of Abraham and
Sarah,
” Rabbi David Nelson said
at her graveside funeral. Rabbi
Alon Tolwin co-officiated.
Working with her family,
Bloom’
s became well known
for many delicious dishes,
including chicken soup, brisket,
fried (baked) chicken, gefilte
fish and vegetarian chopped
liver.
Shirlee worked more
than 20 years at Lil’
s
Kosher Catering in
Oak Park. She took
over the business
when Lil died in 1976.
Shirlee later operated
for 11 years in Harvard
Row Shopping Center
in Southfield.
She was a beloved
fixture and enjoyed
her extended family during 25
years with the former Vineyards
Café & Catering in Farmington
Hills.
Blessed with exceptional
energy, Shirlee put in 11-hour
days until she was 80. Though
busy, she didn’
t miss her family’
s
special events. Granddaughter
Cortney Chimoff eulogized that
her “
g-ma taught us about the
way to live an honest, ethical,
moral life.
”
Bloom’
s Kosher Carryout
and Catering in Southfield
continues operating under
Cookie and her daughter, Taylor
Chimoff — the third and fourth
Bloom generation.
Shirlee Bloom is survived by
her daughter, Hope “
Cookie”
(Barton) Chimoff, George
Feroni and Rob (Dawn) Bloom;
“
g-ma” of Cortney Chimoff,
Taylor Chimoff, Ashli Feroni,
Alysia (Matt) Rodgers, Josh
Feroni and Jessica Feroni; and
great-grandmother of Corey
Feroni, Mikaela Hays, Noah
Rodgers and Ava Rodgers.
She was the beloved wife of
the late Anthony “Tony” Feroni.
She also was the daughter of
the late Harry and the late Lil
Bloom, and sister and sister-
in-law of the late Harvey (the
late Karen) Bloom, the late Billy
Feroni and the late Steve Bloom.
Interment was at Clover Hill
Park Cemetery. Contributions
may be made to American
Cancer Society, 20450 Civic
Center Dive, Southfield, MI
48076, (248) 663-3400, cancer.
org, or Aish HaTorah Detroit,
25725 Coolidge Hwy., Oak
Park, MI 48237, (248)-327-
3579, aishdetroit.com/donate.
Arrangements by Ira
Kaufman Chapel.
Shirlee Bloom Feroni
State University.
His teaching career was var-
ied, including science classes
in secondary schools and audi-
ology courses at Wayne State
University and the University
of Akron. After transitioning to
clinical practice, he saw patients
for almost 30 years.
In retirement he found ful-
fillment as a member of Osher
Lifelong Learning Institute.
Throughout his life, he placed
the highest value on family and
friends, all of whom will miss
him dearly.
Mr. Stein is survived by his
wife, Maureen; daughters, Susan
(Gary) Kanter and Carol Stein;
grandchildren, Maggie (Matt)
Speciale, Emma Kanter and
Jacob Kanter; numerous nieces,
nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by
his siblings, Jack (Helen) Stein
and Lillian (Mordie) Falick.
Friends who wish may
contribute to the American
Association for the Advance-
ment of Science, the Union
of Concerned Scientists or
Compassion and Choices.
Due to the current COVID-
19 crisis, no memorial will be
immediately scheduled. The
family will organize a time for
everyone to gather and remem-
ber Leon at a later date.
ROBERT TUCKER, 69, of
Commerce Township, died
March 17, 2020.
He was active with Special
Olympics Team Farmington,
Senior Bowling League at
Wonderland Lanes, Michigan
Sailing Club and the Waterford
Senior Center.
Mr. Tucker is survived by his
sister, Jane Tucker of Commerce
Township.
He was the dear brother of the
late Richard Tucker.
Contributions may be made
to Special Olympics Team
Farmington. Services and
interment were held at Hebrew
Memorial Park. Arrangements
by Hebrew Memorial Chapel.
MARILYN
WARNICK, 84, of
West Bloomfield,
died March 15,
2020.
She is survived
by her children, Richard
(Fran Swick) Warnick and Jill
Warnick; brother and sister-
in-law, Stanford and Lynn
Trompeter; many loving
cousins, nieces, nephews,
other family members and
friends.
Mrs. Warnick was the
beloved wife of the late Avery
Warnick; the sister of the late
Alan Trompeter.
Interment took place at
Adat Shalom Memorial
Park Cemetery in Livonia.
Contributions may be made to
the American Cancer Society
or to the Michigan Humane
Society. Arrangements by
Dorfman Chapel.
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