48 | OCTOBER 20 • 2022
A
nnette Fingeroot was a
remarkable woman who
lived her 94 years to the
fullest. Since her parents had passed
away at very young ages (59 and 62),
she often expressed her
own amazement and
gratitude that she and her
five younger siblings were
all alive and had all well
surpassed their parents’
lifespan.
Then, on the morning
of Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022,
Annette succumbed to COVID,
followed less than 24 hours later by the
death of her sister, Clara, also due to
COVID.
During the many beautiful years
she was granted, Annette was never
happier than when she was surrounded
by family and friends. Until the very
recent past, she was always up for a
party, especially if it was a simchah
involving her siblings, children,
grandchildren or great grandchildren.
She danced the hora at every
opportunity even when substantial
help was required and even when she
could barely walk on her own. Annette
never lost her sense of connection,
community or her desire to be present
with her tribe.
She lived on her own, until age
84. Then, her children had to coerce
her into moving to Hechtman; she
could no longer handle the rickety
stairs leading to her condo. Her
conviction that this move would
take away her independence lasted
until she opened the front door of
the Hechtman building. Before she
reached her own apartment, she met
people she knew from high school,
from B’nai B’rith, from the tennis club
and from Congregation Beth Shalom
Hebrew School carpools. She remarked
that it was like living in a college
dorm, an opportunity she had never
experienced. For her 10 years there,
she was always upbeat, even through
the isolation of the pandemic.
When it came to the Jewish holidays,
Annette wanted to be with the “gantze
mishpochah.” So, first at her own
home, then later at her children’s
homes, or a clubhouse when the group
exceeded 35, everyone was included.
Annette’s favorite holiday tradition
was providing a challah and seven-
layer cake for each family that came
to the Rosh Hashanah dinners. She
and Diamond Bakery had a great
relationship.
The loves of her life were her late
husband, Ben Fingeroot, her children,
nine grandchildren and seven great-
grandchildren. Her children are Susan
Adler Shanteau (John Shanteau),
Judith (Howard) Jacobs, Howard
(Hon. Kimm Small) Fingeroot, the
late Marty (the late Laura Fingeroot).
Grandchildren are Carolyn (Allison)
Adler, Michelle Twersky, Bryan
(Rachel) Fingeroot, Daniel (Samantha)
Fingeroot, Natalie Mothorpe,
Danielle Jacobs, Jennifer Jacobs,
Nicole Churchill, Bradley Fingeroot
(fiancée, Nicole Hager). Her great-
grandchildren are Dylan, Lyla, Olivia
and Christopher Fingeroot, Beckett
Mothorpe, Chase Twersky and Ilana
Adler. Annette’s beloved siblings are
Ruth (the late William) Wizner, Evelyn
(the late Larry) Peisner, Ted (Rhoda)
Kahn, Marlene (Ron) Rosen and the
late Clara Glassman. Annette’s parents
were the late Israel and the late Pearl
(Burke) Kahn.
During her later years, she was
helped by caregiver and friend, Donna
Johnson. She had many loving nieces,
nephews, cousins and friends.
For those who would like to
honor her memory with a charitable
donation, please support Friends of the
Israeli Defense Forces (FIDF), finance.
support@FIDF.org; Jewish Senior Life,
jslmi.org; or a charity of your choice.
Graveside service was held at Hebrew
Memorial Park. Arrangements by
Hebrew Memorial Chapel.
The Family Matriarch
Against Book Bans, American Library
Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Suite
1300, Chicago, IL 60601, ec.ala.org/dona-
tion/OIF-0625-UABBFD; or to a charity
of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira
Kaufman Chapel.
SHIRLEY CYKIERT, 87, of
West Bloomfield, died Oct. 7,
2022.
She was the beloved wife
of the late Walter Cykiert;
dear mother of Stuart
(Lauren Bendix), Jay (Heather), and Dr.
Andrew (Stacy) Cykiert; loving bubbie of
Josh (Margaret), Nathan, Denise, Ryan
(Stephanie), Dr. Justin (Hayley), Carly and
Arica Cykiert (fiancé, Logan Nathanson);
adoring great-bubbie of Norah, Savannah
and Wyatt Cykiert. She is also survived by
her loving caregivers, Shirley, Milena and
Jody.
Interment was held at Beth Abraham
Cemetery in Ferndale. Contributions
may be made to the Jewish Hospice and
Chaplaincy Network, to the Alzheimer’s
Association or to a charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.
DEBORAH GABE, 65, of
Novi, died Oct. 7, 2022.
She passed away peacefully
at home after having fought
a long and courageous battle
with leukemia and multiple
sclerosis.
Debbie was the beloved wife for 39
years of Edward Gabe; loving and devoted
mother of Evan Gabe; cherished daughter
of Harry and Sally Cogan; loving sister of
Linda Weingarten; dear sister-in-law of
Howard (Sheila) Gabe and Susan (Rick)
Kellman; adoring aunt of Jordan (Molly)
Weingarten, Zachary Weingarten and
Hillary (Shenaye) Protasiewicz.
Interment took place at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery in Birmingham. Contributions
may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.
CLARA GLASSMAN, 84, of
Delray Beach, Fla., died Sept.
30, 2022.
Clara was born and spent
most of her life in the
Detroit area. She worked for
Annette
Fingeroot
OBITUARIES
OF BLESSED MEMORY
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