64 | AUGUST 15 • 2024 J
N
ARNOLD BLANK, 85, of
Palm Beach Gardens,
Fla., formerly of
Potomac, Md., died July
30, 2024.
Mr. Blank was the
loving husband of Marilyn Blank
for an incredible 63 years. Their
enduring bond was a testament to
their commitment and unwavering
love. Arnold was devoted to his chil-
dren, Judy and David Karp, Lauren
and Barry Margolin, and Michael
Blank. Arnold’s heart expanded even
further when he became the best
Pop Pop to Lindsey Karp and Kevin
Doby, Danielle Karp, Carly Margolin,
Justin Margoli and Jaynie Karp, who
brought immeasurable joy to his life.
He was predeceased by his parents,
Dorothy and Irving Blank; his loving
brother, Mel Blank; and his adoring
sister, Arlene Wyte.
Services to celebrate Arnold’s life
were held on Aug. 2, 2024, at the IJ
Morris at Star of David of the Palm
Beaches in Palm Beach Gardens,
Fla. Contributions may be made to
Friends of the Israeli Defense Forces,
P.O. Box 4224, New York, NY, fidf.
org; Breakthrough T1D (formerly
JDRF), P.O. Box 5021, Hagerstown,
MD 21741-5021, breakthrought1d.
org; or inSIGHT Through Education,
P.O. Box 33054, Palm Beach Gardens,
FL 33420, insightthrougheducation.
org. Local arrangements by Ira
Kaufman Chapel.
RAYMOND “RAY” CADY,
80, of Oak Park, Mich.,
died Aug. 4, 2024.
He is survived by his
children, Scott Cady and
Juan Carlos Fernandez,
Nikki and Robert Amey, and Ryan
Cady; grandchildren, Max and
Nathan Amey; many loving nieces,
nephews, cousins and friends.
Mr. Cady was the beloved hus-
band for 58 years of the late Leslie
Cady; the loving brother of the late
Pat and the late Ron Hebert, the late
Rosemary Cook, the late Shirley
Cady, and the late Paulette and the
late Gene Malloy; the devoted son
R
hea Brody was a
“lighthouse” who guided
and inspired others.
The community leader and
philanthropist, who died at age 94
on Aug. 5, 2024, had that “Jewish
spark,” as noted by Rabbi Aaron
Starr of Congregation Shaarey
Zedek, that quickly grew from a
spark into a flame to, eventually a
radiant pillar of light.
As a true trailblazer at Shaarey
Zedek, Rhea Brody was a past
sisterhood president, a passionate
volunteer and devoted attendee of
Shabbat services.
“Rhea was a warm spirit who
cared for others,” Rabbi Starr
explained. That same spark she
carried with her was instilled in
all who knew her, from friends
to family to congregants to even
those who benefitted from her
many acts of service within the
community.
Rhea was the beloved wife of
the late Robert “Bob” Brody, with
whom she enjoyed a happy and
blessed 70 years of marriage.
Friends and family will recall how
Bob spoke of Rhea with pure joy
and happiness; to him, she was
always his shining star.
Together, they built a beautiful
life and family that now spans
many generations.
For Rhea, her family, friends,
synagogue and greater Jewish
community were everything.
She was also very close with her
extended family, traveling near
and far to attend their special
events. She adored music as well,
especially Jewish melodies. In her
home hung artwork created by her
grandchildren, of whom she was
always proud.
“I remember the smile that
would appear whenever Rhea
attended the synagogue,” Rabbi
Starr said. Many would recall her
unmistakable
laugh, which could
be heard from
another room.
“In our shul, the
name Rhea Brody
is spoken with
respect, gratitude
and profound
appreciation for her light and
leadership.”
Rhea was deeply committed to
Jewish living. Jewish traditions and
culture brought joy and meaning
to her life. Creating a foundation
for Jewish life to flourish both
locally and abroad was a lifelong
driving force for the Bloomfield
Hills community leader.
The Brodys were longtime
supporters of the Technion-Israel
Institute of Technology and
supporting Jewish Federation
of Detroit programming. They
were also generous donors to
Congregation Shaarey Zedek.
Giving back wasn’t something
Rhea simply did — it was her
purpose, Rabbi Starr said, to
ensure Judaism would continue for
years to come. “We are all better
because of her light,” he added.
“Light ran in her,” said daughter
Cathy Deutchman. “That was the
way she came alive.”
Rhea is remembered for being
fearless, audacious and the life
of any party. “She never met
a stranger,” Cathy said. “Just
a ‘friend’ she hadn’t met yet.”
Naturally, she was a friend to
virtually anyone who crossed her
path. “She truly collected friends.”
Rhea is also remembered for
sticking up for what she thought
was right and following her heart
and soul, as Cathy will always
recall.
Rhea Brody is survived by
her children, Cathy and Jim
Deutchman, Jay and Susan Brody,
and Gerald and Lisa Brody. She
was the proud grandmother of
Andrew Deutchman, Cara and
Jason Peterson, Stuart and Amy
Brody, Rachel Brody, Hillary and
Benjamin Anchill, Joshua Brody,
Jacob Brody and Tracy Walker,
and great-grandmother of Lillian,
Evelyn and Alexandra Brody,
Samantha and Ariella Anchill, and
Zachary Buvalic.
Rhea was the loving wife of
the late Robert Brody; dear
sister of the late Joseph and the
late Suzanne Orley, and the late
Graham Orley, and the devoted
daughter of the late George and
the late Celia Orley.
She was also deeply adored and
loved by her devoted caregivers,
Hattie Webb, Cheryl Quildon,
Isabel Cummings and Candace
DeLeon. “In remembering Mom,
they all said, ‘We all learned so
much from her,’” daughter Cathy
said.
Even in old age and sickness,
Rhea taught her caregivers how
to cook Jewish food, how to help
people and reach out to people
and how to cheer everyone up.
“Mom marched to her own beat,”
Cathy said. “She was truly a people
person.”
Contributions in her honor
may be made to Jewish Hospice
& Chaplaincy Network, Jewish
Music Fund, 6555 W. Maple,
West Bloomfield, MI 48322, jhcn.
org/donate/tribute; American
Technion Society, Reservist Fund,
55 E. 59th St., New York, NY
10022, ats.org; or Congregation
Shaarey Zedek Sisterhood, 27375
Bell Road, Southfield, MI 48034,
shaareyzedek.shulcloud.com/
payment.php.
Interment was at Clover Hill
Park Cemetery in Birmingham.
Arrangements by Kaufman
Chapel.
A Warm Spirit, A Beautiful Soul
ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Rhea Brody
OBITUARIES
OF BLESSED MEMORY