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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