Bitton, Marcelle. In San Francisco on January 25, 2013 at age 86.  Wife for 60 years of the late Meyer Bitton.  Mother of Robert Bitton, Raquel Bitton Prolman, Jacques, Herve and Vidal Bitton.  Mother-in-law of Marybeth Bitton, Kathy Abecassis Bitton, and Gerald Prolman.  Grandmother of Sylvain, Arielle (Mike) Rowe, Joshua, Erica, Alexandra, Isabelle, Francesca, Gabriella and Stefania Bitton, and Julian and Natalie Prolman.  Beloved sister of Teta, Jaiis and Isaac of Haifa, Israel.  Special thanks to Denise Abesassis, Solange Abecassis and Betty Waters.  The family is grateful to Paul Clissura who provided support to Marcelle.  Born July 25, 1927 in Marrakech, Morocco.  As a young woman, she enjoyed playing basketball. She worked as a secretary in the French Army base in Marrakech, Morocco, as well as the American Air Force Base in Ben Guerir, Morocco and the John F. Kennedy Cultural Center in Casablanca.  Her eldest son Yashard Bitton died in the Six-Day War.  Moved to San Francisco in 1968 where she worked for Fritzi of California.  President of the Amit Womens’ Group at Anshey Sfard synagogue for many years.

Sinai Memorial Chapel

Selma D. Blick

June 29, 1927 – Jan. 24, 2013

Selma passed away peacefully after a brief illness on January, 24, 2013, with her family by her side. Selma was predeceased by her loving husband, Karl. She is survived by her son, Steve (Patricia), daughter, Ann (Salek Hamer) and loving granddaughters, Danielle and Ilana.

Born in Vilna, Poland, daughter of Rose Warhaftig and Oswald Warren, Selma grew up in Bielsko Biala, Poland where her family owned the Hotel President. She and her mother survived WW II together, enduring two years in the Vilna Ghetto. They were taken by cattle car to Kaiserwald, a labor camp in Riga, Latvia and later survived a march back to Poland. After the war, Selma met Karl Augenblick, in a relocation camp in Byttom, Poland. They married in Saalfelden, Austria and in 1949 immigrated to Australia where they lived for five years. In 1954 they immigrated to San Francisco to reunite with Selma’s parents and start a new life.

Selma worked as a salesperson in retail for 32 years, at City of Paris, Liberty House and Macys. She enjoyed Golden Gate Park, travel, entertaining, summers in Calistoga and playing bridge. Selma was a long-time member of Congregation Ner Tamid and ORT.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Congregation Ner Tamid, 1250 Quintara St., SF 94116

Selma will always be remembered for her grace, her positive outlook on life and her love of family and friends.

Rebecca Bruck Harris, age 89, on January 21, 2013

Preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Harris, parents Harry and Julia Bruck, and brother Mervin Bruck. Survived by her daughters, Beth Harris Hoenninger and Bernice Harris, and granddaughter Hannah Yazzolino. Born in San Francisco, spent her school years in Redwood City, and was a lifelong resident of the Bay Area. She learned to fly at age 18 and soloed shortly before civilian pilots were grounded following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. During World War II, she became a Red Cross Nurse’s Aide and interrupted her studies at the University of California Berkeley to work at the Alameda Naval Air Station before returning to Cal to graduate in 1946. Prior to her marriage, she owned a successful retail business in the Elmwood District of Berkeley. With her husband, she was a founding member of Temple Isaiah in Lafayette, and also served on its Sisterhood board. Retired docent of the Judah Magnes Museum in Berkeley.  Life member of Hadassah and ORT and supporter of many humanitarian, political, women’s, human rights and environmental causes.  A lifelong adventurer, traveler and gardening enthusiast.  She specialized in raising bonsais and was a member of the Diablo Bonsai Club. A loving member of her large extended family and a devoted daughter, wife, mother and grandmother.  She instilled in her daughters a great love of the fine and performing arts, a philanthropic outlook and a spirit of volunteerism.  Donations may be sent to Hospice of the East Bay (3470 Buskirk Ave., Pleasant Hill, CA 94523) or to the Stanley R. Harris Scholar-in-Residence Fund, Temple Isaiah (945 Risa Road, Lafayette, CA 94549). A memorial service was held at Temple Isaiah in Lafayette.

Sinai Memorial Chapel

Joanne Selene Napp

10/18/30 – 01/21/13

Joanne Selene Napp, 82, passed away peacefully in Redwood City on 01/21/13. Joanne was born and raised in San Francisco, graduating from Lowell High School in 1948. She moved to Daly City at age 25, residing there for 38 yrs. She worked in Marketing Research retiring in 1993. Joanne loved talking on the phone and socializing with both friends and strangers, this was the perfect field for her!

Joanne’s proudest accomplishment was raising her three children. Joanne is survived by her sons Doug and Craig (Bridget Cunningham), daughter Cheri Cole (Ralph) and grandchildren Kelly and Brian Cole. Joanne spent the last 19 yrs residing at Woodside Terrace. She lived simply, spending time talking with friends and family, watching her favorite TV shows and old movies, keeping up with celebrity gossip and the latest fashion trends. Persevering through difficult times with tremendous resiliency, Joanne always maintained a positive outlook on life. She loved her family and will always be remembered as someone who cared for others even before caring for herself. We will never forget her sense of humor and her contagious smile!

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity in Joanne’s name. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, 02/17/13, 3pm at Woodside Terrace, 485 Woodside Rd, Redwood City, CA.