The passing of Alison R. Bermond

1953-2008

Alison R. Bermond of Santa Cruz, California passed away peacefully in her home on May 27, 2008 surrounded by friends and family. “Ali”, as she was known to her loved ones, was born in London, England where she grew up in Little Venice near Regent’s Canal. Ali attended St. Paul’s Girls School and Cambridge University in England. Later she joined the Sherborne Gurdjieff community.

In 1974 Alison came to New York City; and later moved to Santa Cruz where she attended UCSC and graduated in religious studies. While in Santa Cruz she married Larry Edwards, together they had their beautiful daughter, Serena Edwards. Years later she would marry Ed Waller, her stalwart husband of many years.

Ali was an accomplished writer and painter throughout her life. She also enjoyed doing grief counseling with children. Gifted with wit and language ability, Ali could speak in dialects from around the world … from the Shtetl to the London BBC. She created mirthful characters and spoke through them with various accents. She could be a Viennese psychiatrist and move with ease to play a taxi driver in Calcutta.

In 2002 Ali moved to Berkeley and began another chapter of her life. She met Bob Jaffe, who became her beloved. Together they were actively involved in exploring Jewish Renewal. She joined the Aquarian Minyan and developed a deep interest in Torah study. Ali and Bob collaborated in developing Beit Yakov, a Chavurah in Marin County which met monthly for Shabbat services in Bob’s garden. Jewish Renewal congregants came from around the Bay Area for the inspirational services, prayers and songs. Surrounded by fruit trees and flowers, the Jewish renewal chavurah prayed together, studied Torah together and sang and danced together under the Arbor.

Alison became a powerful presence in the Jewish Renewal community of the Bay Area through her loving friendships and her profound grasp of Torah which made its way to the High Holiday services of the Aquarian Minyan and to the monthly Torah circle led by Aryae Coopersmith and Wendy Burke.

Ali was a healer and an artist. She created healing robes for those in the community who were ailing. Wherever she went and whomever she met there was a deep compassion and understanding between all who knew her.

She will be remembered for her deep soul, humor and loving kindness. Her immediate and loving Family are (step) sister and brother Pam and Paul Mencher, her step mother Lisa Bermond, daughter, Serena Edwards of New York City and her former mates Larry Edwards and Eddie Waller, Eddie who returned from Buenos Aires to be her beloved caregiver in her final days. Her immediate and loving Beloveds are Bob Jaffe, who shared the last few years of Ali’s life, her loving entourage of Friends too numerous and diverse to mention them all, her beloved Writers Group, the mirthful characters she created, especially her Viennese psychiatrist, her cancer dolls, Siggy and Jonah. All miss her, too deeply to describe … and so fortunate to have known her and been touched by her. We are the Blessed ones who were able to share her Life.

Designated charities are the Aquarian Minyan of Berkeley and the Jewish Family Services of the East Bay.

Memorial Services will be held for Alison Bermond on Sunday, July 13th from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Berkeley Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. Berkeley, California. For further information, please contact Bob Jaffe (415) 378-9175.

Jerome Blumenfeld in El Cerrito on July 1, 2008 at age 87.

Beloved husband for 66 years of Leila Blumenfeld, loving father of Jeffry and Bonnie Blumenfeld; and Joel and Rochelle Blumenfeld; father-in-law of Louise Blumenfeld MacKnight; devoted grandfather of Gayle and Jim Burleigh, Jason Blumenfeld, Jonah Blumenfeld, and Miriam Blumenfeld; proud great grandfather of Will and Ben Burleigh; devoted brother of the late Juliet Lowenthal; dear uncle and cousin.

Jerry was one of the founders of Temple Beth Hillel in Richmond and an avid golfer.

Services were held on Thursday, July 3rd at the Hills of Eternity Cemetery

Chapel, Colma.

Contributions in memory of Jerry may be made to Temple Beth Hillel, 801 Park Central, Richmond, CA 94803.

Retired Superior Court Judge Morton R. Colvin passed away on June 24, 2008 in San Rafael. He was 84. A native San Franciscan, Judge Colvin was born on August 14, 1923. He graduated from Presidio Junior High School and later from Lowell High School in 1941.

Mort went onto to serve his country in WWII. After being severely injured with third degree burns, he later returned to fight along side the British Armed Forces.

After the war he attended Hastings College of the Law earning his law degree in what would be the start of a long and distinguished career as both a lawyer and judge.

In 1952, he married Doreen Greenfield and had three children Kimberly Quinn (Robert), Leslie Colvin-Solomon (Jed) and Steve Colvin (Cristina). He had seven grandchildren whom he greatly loved, Danielle Montague (Chris), Adam Quinn, Jeremy Quinn, Jacob Solomon, Sara Solomon, Olivia Colvin and Austin Colvin. He was predeceased by his sister Marjorie Wolf. In addition to his children and grandchildren, he is survived by numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

Prior to joining the bench, Mort practiced law in Marin County and in Sacramento in the 1950’s before having the privilege of meeting Ronald Reagan in the early 1960’s. A force in the Republican Central Committee, he later served in Governor Reagan’s Administration in several capacities, including State Director of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and as Chairman of the State Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board.

In 1970, he was appointed to the Superior Court in San Francisco by Governor Reagan. From 1970 until his retirement in 1990 he presided over several high profile criminal and civil trials. After his retirement from the bench, he served for many years as an arbitrator and mediator.

In 1978, he married Nancy Kane. They were married for almost thirty wonderful years until Nancy’s untimely passing last December in Rancho Mirage where he and Nancy resided for the past several years. The Judge was an avid fan of Stanford athletics, where for over 40 years he never missed a single home football game. With Nancy by his side they frequently traveled and enjoyed life to its fullest. The Judge was also a talented artist and skilled poker player.

A funeral service was held at the Chapel at Hills of Eternity Memorial Park in Colma on Sunday, June 29.

Miriam L. Drejer in San Francisco on June 29, 2008. Born May 26, 1923 in Vienna, Austria. Immigrated to Israel in 1938 with “Youth Aliyah.” In Israel she was a champion swimmer, gymnastics teacher and runner. In 1958 she immigrated to the U.S. making her home in San Francisco where she met and married Cantor Henry Drejer. She was past president of the Golden Gate Chapter of B’nai B’rith Women. She is survived by her beloved husband, Cantor Henry Drejer; loving mother of Elisheva (Chaim) Gur-Arieh, Yitzchak (Betsy) Gilon and Frances Besch; devoted grandmother of Sivan,Yosefa and Paloma. Funeral services were held at Eternal Home Cemetery, Colma under the direction of Sinai Memorial Chapel. The family requests contributions to B’nai B’rith or Cong. Ner Tamid.

Lillian Ruth Finegold, 86, on June 26, 2008. Beloved mother of Hope (Noah) Alper and Kenneth. Cherished grandmother of Jesse, David, Robbie, Teresa & Lydia. Married for 40 years to the late Robert “Bob” Finegold. Born in Brooklyn, NY and graduated from Tilden HS. She attended art school, but her fashion career aspirations were curtailed by WWII, and she began working as a bookkeeper. She retired to Florida in 1986 and was living her dream, even after her husband’s death. In 1995, she moved to CA to be closer to her daughter Hope and her family. A resident of Claremont House in Oakland. She will be missed for her zest for life, sense of style, and remarkable resilience. Donations may be made to UCSF Foundation, Att: B1841 Kirk, P.O. Box 45339, San Francisco, CA 94115-0339; or Claremont House Employees Scholarship Fund, 4500 Gilbert Street, Oakland, CA 94611.

Edith B. Hylton in San Mateo on June 24, 2008, approaching her 91st birthday. A native of Germany and a long-time resident of San Francisco, until moving to San Mateo in 2000. Widow of Sam Fields and Kurt Hylton. Loved by many, Edith is survived by her three sons and their families: Leon, Michele, Sammy and Nita Hylton of San Francisco; Alan, Debbie and Ariel Hylton of Ringoes, New Jersey; and Michael Hylton and Winola Fong of Oakland, CA. Edith was the sister of Eva (and Henry) Goodman and the late Gerda (and Clive) Teddern of England. Loved and admired by nieces, Maggie (and Ian) Tew, Ruth Teddern and Sue Teddern (and Edward Crask,) all of England. Edith was devoted to her family, including many cousins with whom she remained close throughout her life. Among those who survive her are Francis (and Margot) Cappel, Ruth Philip, Ann Millhauser and Inge Brunswick. Edith was similarly devoted to her synagogue, Congregation Beth Israel-Judea of San Francisco, where she served as its first woman president (1976-1978.) She was subsequently elected a life member of Beth Israel-Judea’s Board of Trustees. Funeral services were held at Cong. Beth Israel-Judea, 625 Brotherhood Way, SF, 94132 with interment at Home of Peace Cemetery, Colma. Donations to Congregation Beth Israel-Judea. Sinai Memorial Chapel.

Sanford Hamilton Lazar, MD

June 18, 1929-May 30, 2008

Sandy died peacefully at home after enduring the debilitating effects of Parkinson’s disease and Prostate Cancer.

He is survived by his cherished wife, Darrius; son, Bruce ; and adored sister Ruth Sitkin; loving brother-in-law of Denise McNeir (Michael); devoted uncle of Laurie Dillon (John), Lisa Sitkin, and Skip Sitkin; dear great uncle of Jason Jones; revered step-father of Don (Jennifer) and Mick (Leighann) Garrett and 4 step-grandchildren.

Sandy attended Northwestern University where he was a member of Phi Ep Fraternity.

After graduating from Chicago Medical School in 1953, he completed his internship at Cook County hospital, served 2 years with the United States Air Force in Wiesbaden, Germany, did his residence in Orthopaedic Surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery, Cornell University Medical Center in New York, New York, and began his medical practice in San Francisco, California, in 1960.

He was a Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of California San Francisco.

He closed his medical practice in December 2000, moved to Sacramento in 2003 and continued working as a consultant until March 2008.

Known for his sense of humor, loyalty, compassion, friendliness, and love of bow ties, he will be missed by everyone who has known and loved him.

A memorial service was held Sunday, June 22 at Sinai Memorial Chapel, 1501 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA, 94115 (415) 921-3636.

Lydia Ruth Milrod in San Francisco on July 5, 2008. Dearly beloved wife of the late Jerry Milrod; beloved mother of Sonia, Abbie and Arthur (Lara-Miya); adoring grandmother of Elisia and her husband Jeff, Andrew, Allison, Jerry and Sara.

Lydia was a longtime member and officer of Congregation Chevra Thilim, active in the Jewish Community Relations Council, AIPAC, and past member of B’nai Brith and AMIT Women.

Lydia was born in Berlin. She escaped the Holocaust by fleeing with her family to Shanghai where she met her husband. Sixty years ago they moved to San Francisco, the city she so loved.

Gravesite services were held on Monday, July 7th at Eternal Home Cemetery, Colma.