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