Vicki Janice Elnick (nee Samuel)

Senior Vice President, Corporate Trust and Project Finance, Union Bank

October 22, 1953—December 14, 2012

Vicki Janice Elnick succumbed peacefully after a valiant struggle with cancer December 14, 2012 at the Bruns House hospice facility in Alamo, California. Her husband, Alan Elnick, and daughter Michelle Elnick were at her side.

Vicki was born in San Francisco in 1953 and worked in the financial services industry most of her professional career. The bulk of this time was spent at Union Bank, a division of Bank of Tokyo–Mitsubishi of Japan, where she served most recently as Senior Vice President, responsible for the Corporate Trust and Project Finance Departments, with offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York City.

During Vicki’s tenure at Union Bank, the department she led received the award from the U.K.-based “Global Banking and Finance Review” as the Best Corporate Trust Department in the United States for the year 2012. She recently was selected by the bank to be one of the senior leaders to promote the internal campaign for team-building and employee morale within Union Bank.

Vicki and Alan have lived in Walnut Creek continuously since their marriage in 1980. In addition to Alan and Michelle, Vicki is survived by her mother, Irene Werner, and many friends and cousins in California, the District of Columbia, Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts, New York and Washington.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be directed to Congregation B’nai Shalom in Walnut Creek, California, or to Bruns House in Alamo, California.

Louise Greenberg

Born April 11, 1913, in Grand Rapids, MI. Died December 14, 2012, in Los Gatos, CA, surrounded by her family. Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Al Greenberg. She leaves behind her children, Herm and Beryl Greenberg and Carol and Howard Feiner; grandchildren Millie and Mike Sprintz, Joel and Michelle Greenberg, and Jason and Andrea Feiner; and great-grandchildren Zachary and Gregory Sprintz and Josh and Jordan Greenberg. She was sweet and warm, elegant and quick to laugh, and loved her family beyond measure. She will be deeply missed. In lieu of flowers, donations to your favorite charity are preferred.

Leonard Aburn Gross, age 94, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family.

Born in Oakland to Max and Becky Gross in 1918, he attended University High, U.C. Berkeley and Golden Gate University. Lennie was a tax attorney and a California Probate Referee.

Lennie touched the lives of all who knew him. He was devoted to his family and he is survived by his son, Barry Gross (Barbara), daughter, Laurie Karzen (Stan Hegg), his grandchildren Tracey Baker, Andrew Donner (Belinda), Daniel Donner (Ruth), Tyler Blum, Philip Gross (Vera), Mara Gross (Michael Szporluk), Aaron Gross (Cary), his 13 great-grandchildren, brothers Sylvan Gross (Jackie), Alfee Gross (Mary) and many nieces and nephews.

Lennie will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and his verve for life. He was an avid golfer and had a very positive outlook on life, always approaching the day to day with a “glass half full” attitude. Lennie was happily married to Thelma from 1941 until her death in 1978. He was estranged from his second wife, Linda Capin.

Burial was Dec. 14 at the Home of Eternity in Oakland followed by a celebration of his life. The family prefers donations made in Lennie’s memory to the Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living or the charity of your choice.

Barbara Jean Kaplan (nee Goodfried) passed away peacefully at home on the eighth night of Hanukkah (3 Tevet) after a valiant battle with cancer surrounded by her loving family. She was 65 years old.

Barbara was born in Manhattan and grew up in Riverdale, N.Y. She graduated from the Bronx High School of Science, attended Harpur College, and graduated from the City College of New York. She married Roy Allan Kaplan on August 24, 1967 in Syracuse, N.Y. and ultimately settled in the East Bay. Barbara and Roy raised two sons in Danville and then relocated to the Oakland Hills.

Barbara spent much of her career as the medical office manager for her husband’s practice and later a primary care group practice. In later years she became a travel agent due to her lifelong love for international travel. She was a tireless community volunteer, serving in many leadership roles for the Contra Costa JCC, Women of Isaiah of Temple Isaiah, Wardrobe for Opportunity and Hadassah. She loved teaching and tutoring, most recently volunteering to teach math and reading skills at the Coronado Elementary School in Richmond.

Many remember her as a mentor, counselor and confidant. All remember her as an incredible friend. Barbara accumulated and maintained friendships and relationships throughout her life, remaining close with many cherished friends from childhood, college and adulthood. She was nearly unbeatable at Scrabble, and also loved skiing, attending theater, her book club, playing bridge, doing needlepoint, and knitting clothes for her own and others’ grandchildren. She adored her two grandchildren, whom she loved to visit in person and on Skype. She was an active participant in Havurah Shelanu and Torah Study at Temple Isaiah.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 45 years Roy, sons David (and Jennifer) of Media, PA and Marc (and Libra) of Oakland CA, granddaughters Dalia and Lila, her brother Alan Goodfried (and Jaine Kopp) of El Cerrito. Memorial services were held at Temple Isaiah in Lafayette, CA on December 18, 2012 and she was interred at Gan Shalom Cemetery in Briones, CA. In lieu of flowers, contributions are encouraged to the Women of Isaiah Fund of Temple Isaiah, Diablo Valley Chapter of Hadassah, Wardrobe for Opportunity or the John Muir Hospital Foundation.

Lynda Diane Poppers

September 14, 1957–November 25, 2012

Lynda passed away in Madrid, Spain, after courageously living with Multiple Sclerosis for twenty years. She lived her life fully with zest and love. When she passed away, Lynda was surrounded by her family and closest friends.

Lynda grew up in Millbrae, California, and graduated from Mills High School as a National Merit Scholar. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, Phi Beta Kappa, majoring in Spanish Culture and Language. After graduating, she moved to Madrid, successfully teaching English in a variety of settings, finally becoming the chief Spanish-English translator for Europe for AON International Insurance Groups.

In 1992 she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Lynda continued to live a productive, busy life, living independently, actively and unafraid. She traveled and developed many wonderful friendships. In 2008 she became disabled and moved into Ecoplar Neurological Institute, where she received excellent support and care.

Lynda is survived by her parents, Maurine and Gerald Poppers; Gerald’s wife, Audrey; Lynda’s daughter, Diana Nieves Poppers (Luis Lapiedra Pintado); her granddaughter, Luana Lapiedra Nieves; her brother, Kenneth Poppers; his wife, Laura, and their children, Rachel and Eli Poppers.

Lynda leaves many friends in Spain and the U.S. Of special mention are her caregivers and dear friends, Katerina Nikolova Grancharova and Manuela Maria Beltran. They attended to Lynda’s needs for several years with love and kindness.

Lynda’s local memorial is to be announced. In June 2013, there will be a gathering in Madrid of family and friends to celebrate her life.

It is difficult to believe that such a bright light has gone out. Lynda is deeply missed.

Contributions may be made in Lynda’s memory to the California Chapter, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 1700 Owens St., Suite 190, San Francisco, CA 94158.

Joseph Seliber

Joseph Seliber passed away in San Mateo, CA on December 13, 2012, his 87th birthday. Mr. Seliber is survived by his wife of 62 years, Natalie; his sister Grace (Martin) Riskin; his children, Sherrie (Mel), Lloyd, and June (Mike); grandchildren, Shawn Seliber, Benji, Daniel and Jacob Friedman, and Erica Klein; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Seliber was born in Brooklyn, New York and was the son of Tania and Lazar Seliber. He received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from City College of New York. Mr. Seliber worked for the City of Chicago as an Environmental Engineer.

Mr. Seliber was a registered professional engineer, a diplomate of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers, and had a long engineering career that ranged from transmission design to electric bicycles and automobiles. He was a master swimmer, a marathon runner, and lifelong athlete who competed until recently with the San Mateo Marlins masters swimming teams. He also served in and swam competitively in the U.S. Army Air Corp in Europe during the Second World War, receiving the U.S. Army Athletic Award.

Our family is grateful for the loving care provided by Lynne Lao during the last two years and Sutter Hospice, Tina Batoon, Lourdes Acupan and Consuelo Iman during his last weeks.

Mr. Seliber is remembered for his concern for others and for his willingness to help those less capable. He taught his children how to swim, take risks, live life to the fullest, and how to die with grace. He is forever in our hearts.