Thelma Seitzick Groeschel, September 6, 1914-April 29, 2008.

Thelma Hilda Seitzick was born in Brooklyn New York to Sarah and Nahum Seitzick on September 6th, 1914. She had an older sister Beatrice who predeceased her a few years ago and a brother Milton who died early in childhood. She married Sidney Cohen in the 1930’s, with whom she had one daughter, Ruby and they divorced in 1958. She later married Robert Groeschel, who predeceased her in January of 2007, and adopted his daughters Jane and Naomi. As a young woman Thelma attended a high school that specialized in art, which became a life long interest for her.

In 1951 Thelma and Sidney moved from Long Island, New York to the Bay Area to be close to Thelma’s parents and her sister and her family. In 1952 they opened the Sis Teen Shop in Laurel Village and twenty years later moved to the Marina. For twenty five years the Sis Teen Shop dressed the best dressed babies and girls in San Francisco. They were known throughout the greater Bay Area as the place to go for the best babies, girls and teen clothes available. Sidney and Thelma divorced in 1961. Thelma kept the business and ran it with her superb sense of style and an eye for the very best available in girls clothing.

When Thelma retired in 1977 she returned to her earlier passion and spent her time studying art, painting in oils and acrylics. She moved to the Oakland hills and spent her time painting and creating a beautiful garden.

She left three daughters, Jane Fischer (Glenn), Naomi Groescel (Karen Hardt) and Ruby Hertz (Gerald). She also left two grandchildren David Fischer (Emily) and Daniel Fisher.

Thelma died at the Jewish Home For Parents on April 29th, 2008, just a few months before her 94th birthday, from a combination of age related infirmities.

Anyone wishing to contact the family may email Ruby Hertz at [email protected] or Jane Fisher at [email protected].

Stephen A. Karass: June 15, 1945-May 15, 2008

Stephen A. Karass passed away unexpectedly on May 15 shortly after attending morning minyan services; graveside services were held on May 16th. A native San Franciscan and graduate of Lincoln High School, Steve lived in Israel for 20 years where he raised a family and served in the Israeli army before returning to the Bay Area in 1990. Early in his career, Steve served in the Peace Corps (Fiji I), VISTA (Pittsburg), and as a Teacher Corps volunteer teaching on the Waianae/leeward coast of Oahu. A life-long educator, he served as Dean of Students, Peninsula High School, San Bruno; Assistant Principal at Galileo High School; and Principal, Alameda County Court Schools. He was chair of the City of San Mateo’s Community Relations Commission and a CASA volunteer. Steve leaves behind a loving family including Karen Moen, sons Ariel and Elkanah Karass, Jacob and Jane Karass-Gutman, grandchildren Daniel and Sarah Gutman, sister Lauren Wiscomb and her family, cousins Alice Jaye and Rich Berkowitz, and other family members in the Bay Area and Israel. Steve is interred at Hills of Eternity Cemetery, Colma. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Stephen A. Karass Memorial Fund, Peninsula Sinai Congregation, 499 Boothbay, Foster City, CA 94404.