R
osalie Rishavy, born
Rosalie Berman, died
in her sleep, surround-
ed by family, on Dec. 31,
2021, of complications from
Parkinson’s disease.
She will be remembered
fondly by her many friends
and family as a fierce propo-
nent of equal rights, the rights
of workers and desegregation.
She was an avid reader, loved
to entertain and adored her
family.
Rosalie was born in Detroit
to Faye (Steiner) and Louis
Berman. Home with asth-
ma frequently as a child,
she learned to love reading
and escaped into books. She
learned to love the arts and
classical music from her Aunt
Ida, who took her to plays and
concerts.
Rosalie graduated from
Detroit Central High School
in the class of 1957. She met
Kenneth Tucker in a music
appreciation class, while they
were both students. Married,
she continued her education
and achieved a B.A. from
Wayne State University in
1961.
When they divorced in the
1970s, she returned to school
and earned her master’s in
education, graduating with
both her boys in attendance.
She would later use the degree
professionally and as a volun-
teer tutor for students.
Rosalie was true to her
commitments to equality.
Professionally, she worked for
20 years in the Federal Equal
Employment Opportunity
Commission, investigating
allegations of employment
discrimination. As a parent,
she brought referendums to
the school district to deseg-
regate Oak Park and Royal
Oak Township schools. When
this repeatedly failed, Rosalie
had her own two children
bused every day to Carver
Elementary school so that
they would grow up appreci-
ating diversity.
Rosalie was introduced to
Edward Rishavy by friends
at a Michigan Democratic
Party fundraiser. They had a
loving marriage from 1997
until his death in 2015. The
couple enjoyed hosting dinner
parties for friends and fam-
ily, traveling by car to small
towns throughout Michigan
and New York, spending time
in their second home on Lake
Huron, attending DSO con-
certs and other cultural events
in Detroit and many other
activities.
After she retired from the
EEOC, Rosalie went back to a
previous career as an English
and reading teacher, which
she continued until 2016.
She will be remembered as
the founder of the Bagel and
Lox Kentucky Fried Chicken
Book Club. She was a staunch
supporter of the Democratic
party and liberal social causes
her entire life. After she died,
her children found that she
had long-term monthly con-
tributions to a wide array of
different liberal and humani-
tarian institutions.
She may be best remem-
bered for her amazing culi-
nary skills. When people
talk about Rosalie, they
often refer to a specific meal
or dessert she prepared for
them. Her sons especially
remember her apple pies.
Her latkes were anticipated
every year, and the promise
of her matzah balls ensured
her family would gather for
Passover.
Rosalie is survived by her
two children, David Tucker
(Laura Strubel), Hadar
Tucker (Pat Wells); her sister,
Evelyn Mack (Charlie Mack);
five grandchildren, Rachel,
Ethan, Elena, John and
Anastasia Tucker.
Rosalie was predeceased
by her husband, Edward
Rishavy; and her parents, Faye
(Steiner) and Lou Berman.
The family plans to hold
a memorial service at the
Temple for Humanistic
Judaism (formerly
Birmingham Temple) this
year, where Rosalie’s ashes
will join Edward’s in the
Peace Garden. Timing of
the memorial will depend
on the COVID epidemic. In
the meantime, those wishing
to honor her memory with
a charitable contribution
in her name might con-
sider Planned Parenthood,
the Michigan Democratic
Party or the Parkinson’s
Foundation. Arrangements
by Ira Kaufman Chapel.
Invested In Others
JANUARY 20 • 2022 | 53
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Wayne State University. A
positive, kind, caring, loving
and helpful individual, she
never complained even
throughout her illness.
Adrienne is survived by her
sister and sister-in-law, Lenore
Marofsky of Hollywood, Fla.,
and Marcia Marofsky; many
other loving family members
and friends, including Jeffrey
and Linda Levitin, Ricky and
Lauren Levitin, Mark Levitin,
Steven Marofsky, Stacey
Marofsky; and their children,
Myrna Shanker and Cheri
Pentzien.
She was the loving daughter
of the late Dorothy and the
late Lewis Marofsky; beloved
sister of the late Bernard
Marofsky; dear friend of the
late Norma and the late Lenny
Levitin.
Contributions may be made
to Michigan Humane Society,
30300 Telegraph Road, Suite
220, Bingham Farms, MI
48025; or Yad Ezra, 2850 W.
11 Mile Road, Berkley, MI
48072. A graveside service
was held at Hebrew Memorial
Park. Arrangements by
Hebrew Memorial Chapel.
Rosalie Rishavy