Ruth Nettie Schwartz Banen died peacefully on March 27, 2008, at her home in Rossmoor, Walnut Creek, just short of her 95th birthday. She was born and grew up in Boston, second child and eldest daughter of Elias Edward and Ida Hillson Schwartz. She graduated from Simmons College in 1934, and while working as a dietician at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, met and married in 1939 Dr. David Banen of the U.S. Public Health Service. After Pearl Harbor, with her husband in the Army, involved throughout the fighting in the South Pacific, she spent the war years as a dietician at Cedars of Lebanon hospital in Los Angeles.

In 1945, with their daughter Elsa, they settled in the Boston area, where Dr. Banen held senior positions with the Veterans Administration and the state of Massachusetts. Ruth was an active participant in, and leader of, many volunteer organizations, including Hadassah, Brandeis University Auxiliary and the League of Women Voters. After her daughter was grown, Ruth had a second career as an administrator at Harvard University, before she and David moved to California in 1977, to be close to their daughter and family.

They settled at Rossmoor in Walnut Creek, where she continued her volunteer activities, and besides swimming, took up lawn bowling at the age of 74, surprising herself by becoming Novice of the Year.

Ruth’s husband David died in 1987, after 47 years of marriage. She is survived by her beloved family: daughter and son-in-law, Elsa and Revan Tranter of Berkeley; grandchildren Lisa (and Mel) Sibony and Joel Tranter of Berkeley; great-grandchildren David and Lena Sibony; many nieces and nephews; and her Lhasa Apso, Bellina. A funeral service, conducted by Rabbi Judy Shanks of Temple Isaiah, Lafayette, was held on Sunday, March 30, at Home of Eternity Cemetery in Oakland.

Contributions in Ruth’s memory may be made to Diablo Valley chapter of Hadassah (2407 Alamo Glen Drive, Alamo CA 94507-2774); or to Save Mount Diablo (1901 Olympic Blvd, Suite 220, Walnut Creek CA 94596-5079).

Marion Herzstein passed away peacefully Sunday, March 30, 2008 in San Francisco at age 83. Beloved wife of Stanley Joseph Herzstein for 63 years; loving mother of Stanley David Herzstein (wife, Lynn Altshuler) and Robert Norman (wife Stefanie) Herzstein; adoring grandmother of Ariel Herzstein, Joshua Herzstein, Daniel Herzstein and Noah Kanter; dear sister of Edward Heyman.

Marion was born in the Bay Area where she lived all of her life. She was a talented artist and painter. As an adult she attended the San Francisco Art Institute. On her world travels with her husband of 63 years, she always carried a sketch pad. She was a lifelong lover of and patron of the Arts. She was loved by her family and will be greatly missed.

A memorial service was held at Congregation Emanu-El, 2 Lake Street, SF. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to SFMOMA, 151 Third Street, SF 94103 or to Jewish Family & Children’s Services, 2150 Post Street, SF 94115.

Jay V. Leopold, M.D., beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away in S.F. on March 28, 2008. He had recently celebrated his 80th birthday with his wife of 43 years, Barbara Leopold, his three children and their families, including a grandson and another on the way.

Jay was born in Milwaukee, WI, the first child of Max and Jennie Leopold, immigrants from Romania and Poland respectively. Jay went to medical school at the University of Wisconsin and then served as an Army Captain in Korea. After completing his residency in psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, Jay moved to S.F. where, while he began a private practice, he worked for several public clinics.

Jay enjoyed a thriving private practice in Kentfield, where he treated individuals, families and couples. He appreciated working close to home and “being his own boss.” Aside from his practice, he served as a consultant to Family Service Agency in San Rafael, for 35 years and was a member of the No. California Psychiatric Association. His community was formed by his professional life and his tennis game, but primarily by his home and family, the true center of his world, where he was most comfortable and happiest. Later in life he took up playing the flute again, joined a chamber group, and continued his part-time practice until a few weeks ago.

A gentle man of deep compassion, quick intellect and strong sense of social justice, Jay will also be remembered by those who knew and loved him for his sense of humor, humility, love of language, music, and humanity. He touched the lives of so many family members, friends, colleagues, consultees and patients who are shocked by his sudden death and will miss him deeply.

Jay is survived by his wife, Barbara S. Leopold and his three children, Paige Y. Leopold (Jacob Singer, grandson Zygi J. Singer) of Danville, Bart K. Leopold (Marga Mayol Amengual) of Mallorca, Spain, and Michael J. Leopold of Milan, Italy. He also leaves behind a sister, Nancy Banov (Charles) of Charleston, SC and extended family in Atlanta, GA, Tel Aviv, Israel and Southern California.

May his memory be a blessing.

Memorial services were at Sinai Memorial Chapel, SF.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jay’s name may be made to the Forbes Norris Research Center; 2324 Sacramento Street, Suite 111; San Francisco, CA 94115, where Jay was treated for over 8 years.

Ilse Loewe. Ilse was born 5/31/1919 in Germany . She died March 20, 2008. Her funeral was held Wednesday March 26th at Salem Cemetery on El Camino Real in Colma. Her beloved rabbi from Congregation B’nai Emunah, Rabbi Ted Alexander, officiated. For years Ilse dedicated countless hours volunteering throughout the Jewish community, including j. 2003 was the year she fulfilled her dream of becoming a bat mitzvah. There will be a Memorial Service held at the Jewish Home April 23, at 2:00 p.m. Ilse is survived by her nephew, William Meyer, who lives in Mexico.

Wisnia, Marian H. In San Jose, CA March 27, 2008. Beloved wife of the late Morris Wisnia. Loving mother of Jan Rose, Penny Pickens and David Wisnia (Susie). Devoted grandmother of Jeff Rose, Kim Hassing-Allan (Robert), Rob Hassing (Cheryl), Jason Hassing (Jennifer), Ted Rose (Shannon), Stephanie Worthington (Tom Chavez), Noah Wisnia, Kristy Wisnia, Trish McCauley and Joan Picken. Dear great-grandmother of 13 and great-great-grandmother of 3.

Memorial Services Sunday, April 6 at 2:30 P.M. at Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos. Memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Shir Hadash or Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.