Irene Lipton passed away peacefully at home on March 11, 2009, surrounded by family. Born in Klobuck, Poland and a survivor of the Holocaust, Irene was 87 years old when she died. She was a devoted, loving and treasured daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother to ten, and great-grandmother to four.

Irene is survived by brother Henry Libicki (and wife Lucille Libicki); daughters Eva Janik (and Janusz Janik), Denise Resnikoff (and Lenny Kristal), Connie Unger (and Richard Unger); son Leonard Tauman (and Linda Tauman); grandchildren Maggi Garncarz (and Jacek Grancarz), Agi Graham (and Roger Graham); Isaac, Akiva and Shoshana Resnikoff; Sarah, Julia and Jesse Unger; and Sarah and Lauren Tauman; and great-grandchildren Zofia and Maggie Graham, and Jacek and Agata Garncarz. We are all grateful for her legacy, as well as the secret of her famous chicken noodle soup.

Funeral services were held on March 12 at Eternal Home Cemetery in Colma. Donations can be made to Israel Association for Palliative Care (PO Box 324, 36046, Kiryat Tivon, Israel) or Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Sara Freeman Pepper in Palo Alto on March 11th.  Loving and devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Born in Jerusalem, Sara came to New York at the age of 15 with her family. She married the late Jack Freeman. In 1954, they moved to Palo Alto and raised Dalia, Dan and Deena. In her later years, she married the late Dr. Herman Pepper and moved to Redwood City. Together they traveled the world and were devoted fans of opera, symphony, ballet, theater and the 49’ers.

For many years, Sara taught pre-school at South Peninsula Hebrew Day School and Hebrew at Temple Beth Jacob and Congregation Kol Emeth. Music — listening, playing piano, accordion and composing — was one of her passions. She was truly the matriarch of her family and annually led the Passover Seder with great wisdom and insight. She continued to learn all her life attending classes, lectures and discussion groups. Above all, what distinguished her to the end was her enduring sense of humor.

Sara will be missed by her children, Dalia Freeman (& Menachem BarLev), Dan (& Barbara) Freeman, Deena (& David) Brandes; her grandchildren, Ari (& Johanna) Susal, Saul Susal (& Yvonne Kao), Joel Susal (& Clara Abecassis), Rachel Freeman, Laura Freeman, Aviva Brandes, Noa Brandes; her great-granddaughter Sofia Susal; her brother and sister-in-law Gideon & Marcelle Shacknai; her sisters-in-law Rita Laufer and Shirley Friedman; and her many nieces and nephews. Sara touched the lives of so many friends and family who were blessed by knowing her.

Funeral services were held, March 13 at Temple Beth Jacob in Redwood City. Interment at Hills of Eternity Memorial Park.