Lilyan Brown passed away on March 2, 2006 after a long illness, in Walnut Creek. She is survived by her loving husband Herbert, her son David, his wife Arlene Immerman and their daughter Anita; and her daughter Trudy Saracco, her husband John and their sons Steven and Michael. The Browns were long time residents of the Sunset district of San Francisco where they were members of Ner Tamid.

John Brunn died peacefully on Jan. 17, 2006. He was the husband of the late Sally Brunn, father of Nancy Brunn and David Brunn, both of San Francisco, brother of George Brunn and brother-in-law of Ruth Brunn of Berkeley, uncle of Tracy and Scott Brunn, and cousin of Trudy Lessem. Born in Vienna, John came to New York at the age of 11. He attended St. John’s College in Maryland at age 16 and then earned a master’s degree in physics at U.C. Berkeley. He taught at Chabot College in Hayward for 37 years, primarily in the math department and also in the ISLS (Interdisciplinary Studies of Letters and Sciences) program. A man with many interests, he was an enthusiastic student at the Fromm Institute, an avid reader of science, philosophy, educational theory, poetry, and religion, a gardener, tutor, hiker, and a strong promoter of peace, social justice, and the environment. He was active in Congregation Sherith Israel and in Noe Valley Ministry. His gentleness, love, integrity, curiosity, and engagement with life will be long and widely missed. A celebration of John’s life will be held on March 12 at 2:30 pm at Newman Hall, adjacent to Sherith Israel at 2266 California at Webster. His strongest charitable interests include the ACLU, the Disabled Student Center at Chabot College in Hayward, Noe Valley Ministry, Congregation Sherith Israel and Union of Concerned Scientists.

Iren B. Eckstein, née Berkes, age 92, Born in Ungvar, Austro-Hungary. Beloved wife of the late Dr. Alfred Eckstein; dear mother of Betsy (David Heller) Eckstein; fond sister of Magda (Fred) Rebitzer; loving grandmother of Avra and Dalya Heller; aunt of Sandy Rebitzer, Jim (Kathleen Engel) Rebitzer and Bob (Mimi Arfin) Rebitzer; great-aunt of Hanna and Eden Engel Rebitzer and Elana and Maya Arfin Rebitzer. Aunt to many loving nieces and nephews in Israel and Hungary. Active member of Hadassah Chicago Chapter, Weizmann Institute of Israel and Peterson Park Improvement Association. Docent at Art Institute of Chicago for five years and member of A.G. Beth Israel Congregation, Chicago. Memorial contributions may be made to the Weizmann Institute of Israel, Attn: Rabbi William Novick, 3501 W. Glenlake Ave., Chicago, IL 60659 or Chicago Chapter of Hadassah, 4711 Golf Road #600, Skokie, IL 60076-1241.

Rachel Ann Howard Born Aug. 14, 1958, in South San Francisco, Calif. Passed on Feb. 28, 2006 after a long fight with cancer. Loving and beloved wife of Frank Howard, mother of Kerri Donnelly, sister of Marcy Dobrow (and her husband Joe Friedman and stepsons Paul and Daniel Friedman) and Bonny Mannina (and her husband Joe Mannina and children Becky Woolworth and Michael Mannina), and Stephen Dobrow (and his wife Donna Dobrow and daughter Michelle Harp), sister of Helen Dobrow and brother of David Dobrow. In her life, she has been an inspiration of strength to all who knew her and has dedicated her struggle and her life to her daughter. She especially loved her work as an assistant in Mendocino County District Attorney Norman Vroman’s office where they are dedicating their bi-annual report in her memory. She was a generous volunteer and contributor to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for approximately five years. She will be deeply missed by her extended family and many friends. She requested no funeral or memorial service. Donations can made in lieu of flowers to the Kerri’s College Account # 21 – 351197 at Savings Bank of Mendocino County, 200 N. School St., Ukiah, CA 85482 or in care of Susan Plummer, Program Director, Phoenix Hospice, 1 Madrone St., Willits, CA 95490 (800-606-8586).