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