N

atalie Charach was a 
loving mother, a devot-
ed wife, a loyal sister 
and a philanthropist known for 
her extraordinary generosity 
and energetic spirit. 
Through her life-
long commitment to 
helping others, she 
impacted the lives 
of countless people 
in her community 
and across the world. 
Natalie passed away 
on Nov. 21, 2023, at 
the age of 97.
Natalie was 
born in 1926 in New Kingston, 
Pennsylvania, the daughter of 
Lithuanian immigrants Rose and 
Joseph Miller. The following year, 
twin sisters Doris and Esther 
were born, and the three girls 
formed a close and unbreakable 
bond that continued throughout 
their lives. Natalie was 6 when 
Joseph passed away, and Rose 
took on various jobs to keep the 
household afloat, eventually mov-
ing to Detroit in 1941.
Rose, a renaissance woman 
who spoke seven languages, was 
hired to drive army trucks off 
the assembly line at the local 
Dodge plant while the girls 
attended Central High School. 
Natalie contributed to the house-
hold by working afternoons at 
Feinberg’s soda fountain and 
midnights at the historic Fort 
Wayne military facility, a job she 
kept until the end of WWII. 
Her life changed one evening 
in 1946, when a young man 
named Manny Charach visited 
Detroit to attend the birthday 
party of an army friend who was 
also an acquaintance of Natalie’s. 
He proposed on their second 
date, and they were married one 

month later. 
After the birth of their chil-
dren, Janice and Jeffrey, the 
family moved to Oak Park 
where they spent the next three 
decades. 
Manny became a 
manufacturer’s repre-
sentative for several 
products that includ-
ed Gemini antennas, 
portable BBQs and 
Matsushita transistor 
radios made by the 
Matsushita Electric 
Industrial Company. 
Natalie worked full 
time in the office, keeping the 
books and overseeing the orders. 
Eventually, Matsushita changed 
its name to Panasonic, and 
Manny became the company’s 
leading U.S. representative. 
While Manny received most 
of the recognition for the com-
pany’s extraordinary success, 
Natalie was the driving force 
behind the scenes with her 
impressive work ethic, innate 
business savvy and renowned 
people skills. 
The Charachs took pride in 
creating “Shangri-La,” their cot-
tage on Fawn Island, Ontario, 
which Natalie designed to 
resemble a Japanese temple. 
Guests and business associates 
from around the world appre-
ciated the couple’s hospitality, 
including Natalie’s delicious 
cooking and beautiful table set-
tings. They traveled extensively, 
enjoying cruises and land trips 
to a variety of destinations.
The importance of family was 
instilled in Natalie at an early 
age, and she believed parents 
should teach their children to do 
the right thing, the way she was 
brought up. Despite her remark-

able generosity to others, she was 
frugal when it came to herself, 
never forgetting her roots and the 
lessons her parents taught about 
helping those less fortunate. 
Natalie had an easy smile and 
positive outlook that belied the 
major hardships she experienced 
during her life. Her beloved 
daughter, Janice, died from can-
cer at the age of 39, her husband 
of 71 years, Manny, passed away 
in 2017 and, two years ago, she 
lost her son, Jeffrey, to cancer. 
Drawing on her inner 
strength and the support of 
her extended family and many 
friends, Natalie persevered 
through these devastating loss-
es, responding with courage and 
selfless acts of generosity. 
“The Charachs so generously 
and happily shared their treasure 
with so many causes, Jewish 
and secular,” said Rabbi Joseph 
Krakoff of the Jewish Hospice 
and Chaplaincy Network, who 
officiated the funeral service. “She 
encouraged so many people to be 
good, to be kind and to make a 
positive difference in the world.”
To honor the memory of 
Janice, an artist, Natalie estab-
lished the Janice Charach Gallery 
at The J (formerly the JCC) to 
give local artists a place to display, 
show and sell their work.
Most of Natalie’s charitable 
work focused on cancer preven-
tion, Jewish organizations and 
children. Special causes included 
Jewish Family Service (JFS), where 
the Charachs endowed a trans-
portation program, Tamarack 
Camps and Jewish Hospice and 
Chaplaincy Network.
Upon learning that many 
single parents could not afford 
High Holiday tickets at their syn-
agogue, Congregation Beth Ahm, 

the Charachs established a fund 
to help these families participate 
in synagogue life and contributed 
generously to the religious school 
that bears their name.
As major donors to Jewish 
Federation of Detroit, the 
Charachs established the 
“Manat” Foundation in support 
of local and international proj-
ects. They made a record dona-
tion of 40 intensive care ambu-
lances to Mogen David Adom in 
Israel. 
Together, the couple built 
the Charach Cancer Center at 
Huron Valley Sinai Hospital, 
where they sponsored an annual 
lunch where cancer survivors 
could network and celebrate 
their health.
Natalie’s favorite color was red 
because she believed it brought 
good luck. While she tried to see 
the good in every person, she was 
not afraid to express an opinion 
when the situation warranted. 
She never lost sight of her humili-
ty or her sense of humor.
“She was an extraordinary 
woman,” said Natalie’s nephew 
Joel Shulman, who described 
her as a mentor who taught by 
example. “She lived with passion, 
energy, excitement and laughter.”
Natalie Charach is survived 
by her cherished sisters Doris 
(the late Herschel) Shulman and 
Esther (the late Henry) Hankin as 
well as many loving nieces, neph-
ews, grand-nieces, grand-neph-
ews and a world of friends. 
She was predeceased by her 
beloved children, the late Janice 
and the late Jeffrey, her devoted 
husband, Manny, and her parents, 
the late Rose and Joseph Miller. 
Interment was at Machpelah 
Cemetery. Contributions hon-
oring the memory of Natalie 
Charach may be made to: The 
Janice Charach Gallery, The 
J – Detroit, 6600 W. Maple, 
West Bloomfield, MI 48322, 
(248) 432-5579, https://gallery.
jccdet.org/ or a charity of one’s 
choice. Arrangements by the Ira 
Kaufman Chapel. 

78 | DECEMBER 7 • 2023 J
N

OBITUARIES
OF BLESSED MEMORY

Natalie Charach

A Generous Philanthropist

RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER 

