Deborah Friend, 83, beloved mother, “Baubie” and artist, passed on peacefully February 1. Born in Jerusalem in 1927, Deborah came to the U.S. with her parents, two sisters and two brothers in 1939. She lived in Chicago and New York until moving to Carmel, where she became a valued member of the community, commended by the mayor for her public service. She became a passionate and prolific artist, producing sculpture, paintings and collages after her advancing Parkinson’s disease brought her to the Jewish Home in San Francisco in 2002, where she would be found in the Art Room whenever it was open, and in her own “studio” in the middle of the F1 unit when it was not. She showed and sold her work to visitors at the home, and donated the proceeds for Parkinson’s research. She is survived by her brother, Rabbi Reuven Frankel, her children Gil and Julie, and her beloved granddaughters Madeleine and Rebecca. Gifts in her memory may be sent to the Jewish Home in San Francisco, or the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
David Geffen passed away quietly in his sleep on February 4, 2011 at his home in San Carlos. He was 92.
David was born August 7, 1918 to Selig and Annette Geffen in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and moved to San Francisco in 1923. David met and married LaDonna Johnson on December 10, 1948. They moved from San Francisco to San Carlos in the early ’50s to raise their family. David retired from Greyhound Bus Lines after a career of 41 years. David was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 53 years. He is survived by his four daughters, Patrice and husband David Sipos, Christine and husband David Hunt, Jennifer and husband Bill Tait, and Cindy and husband Ralf Krutein. David also has seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Also, his niece, LaDonna Atallah and her family, and nieces Elyse and Corrie Geffen.
Vernon Heyman died peacefully at home on February 6, 2011, surrounded by his family. Born in Cologne, Germany on June 19, 1920, he attended school in Switzerland and England before emigrating to San Francisco in 1938. He had the “best years of his life” from 1938-1942 as a member of Pi Lambda Phi fraternity at U.C. Berkeley. As a Ritchie Boy, he served in France during WWII and was awarded a purple heart. He met Eve, the love of his life, in 1946 at the Tahoe Tavern. For 62 years, together they enjoyed raising a family, tennis, golf, bridge and travel. He practiced as a CPA for over 60 years. Most important to him were his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Eve, his children Mel (Jody) Heyman and Vivian (Sandy) Golden, and his grandchildren Daniel and Jeffrey Golden and Brahm, Will and Ben Heyman.
Private services were held. Donations to San Francisco JFCS, Institute on Aging or your favorite charity.
Marian Jacobs Lippman
September 28, 1917 — February 3, 2011
Marian Lippman was a loving and devoted wife, daughter, sister and aunt, an energetic and dedicated community leader, an enthusiastic master bridge player, and a passionate opera and symphony lover. She passed away peacefully Feb. 3 at her residence at the age of 93.
Marian was born in San Francisco and graduated from Lowell High School. She became a legal secretary, a position she held until after World War II.
Marian was happily married to her husband, Julian, for almost 50 years until his death in 1989. They were very dedicated to each other and their extended family. Together they grew prize-winning roses and traveled the world competing in bridge tournaments.
Marian served as chairperson of the Jewish Community Relations Council and was on the executive committee for more than two decades. In addition, she was very active in the National Council of Jewish Women for over 60 years, including serving as Chairperson of Public Affairs. She was also involved in Hadassah and was a member of Congregation Sherith Israel.
She is survived by her cousins Jim and Britta Rosenthal, nieces and nephews, Lynda Valles, Paul and Susan Shimoff, Marci Shimoff, John and Dorothy Frankel, and Jean and Samuel Shanman, and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.
A memorial service was held on Sunday, February 6 at Sinai Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Jewish Community Relations Council, 121 Steuart St. #301, San Francisco, CA 94105 or the National Council of Jewish Women — S.F. Section, 2000 Van Ness Ave. #411, San Francisco, CA 94109.
Marian had a brilliant mind, a generous spirit, and a warm heart. We celebrate her life — a life well-lived.
Sinai Memorial Chapel (415) 921-3636.
Sylvia Potrop, 91, passed away peacefully in Boca Raton on January 2, with her children Martin Potrop and Beverly Potrop at her side. She led a full and loving life and was her spunky self till the very end.
She is survived by four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Condolences: [email protected].
Anna Schainsinger
Passed away peacefully in San Francisco on February 7, 2011. Beloved wife of Bernard Schainsinger for 64 years; loving mother of Leonard Schainsinger and Gloria (Ron) Gurvitz; adoring grandmother of Matthew (Katie) Gurvitz, Steven Gurvitz and Allison Gurvitz. She will be sadly missed by relatives, friends and all who knew her. Born May 2, 1921, she was a Holocaust survivor who lived life with love, strength and great joy.
Funeral services were held on February 9, 2011 at Eternal Home Cemetery, Colma. Donations to Congregation Adath Israel, 1851 Noriega St., San Francisco, CA 94122, preferred.
Sinai Memorial Chapel.