Robert Oser Appleton
Died in San Francisco on May 31, 2013 at age 94. Beloved husband of Leslie Appleton for 70 years; loving father of Robert O. Appleton, Jr. (Susan), Diane Appleton (David Ach) and Michael Appleton (Pam Sawyer); adoring grandfather of Jesse and Seth Appleton, Emily and Julie Ach, and Andrew and Anne Appleton; dear brother-in-law of Marion Oppenheimer and Diane Ehrman (Joseph); caring uncle of Elisabeth Oppenheimer; loving son of the late Abraham and Hilda Oser Appleton.
“Appie,” as he was fondly called by his family and close friends, graduated from Galileo High School and U.C. Berkeley School of Architecture. He was the second generation in what is soon to be four generations of San Francisco Appleton architects. After designing concrete barges for the U.S. Navy during World War II, Appie joined his father’s San Francisco architectural firm of Appleton & Wolford, ultimately becoming Appleton & Appleton. He later retired from the San Francisco Bureau of Architecture. Over the course of his career, Appie designed both residential and public buildings throughout the Bay Area including many San Francisco public libraries. He was the supervising architect for the restoration of Golden Gate Park’s historic carousel. Appie was a member of the Concordia-Argonaut Club for 80 years. He enjoyed hiking in the Sierra Nevada and was involved with Camp Tawonga as a camper, counselor and architect. With his sparkling blue eyes, impish grin, and gentle demeanor, Appie will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Boys & Girls Clubs of SF, Jewish Family and Children’s Services, the Yosemite Fund, or a charity of your choice, would be kindly appreciated.
Lillian Darling Dubinsky
Lillian Darling Dubinsky was born on August 26, 1923, in Hartford, Connecticut, and passed away on June 1, 2013, in Palo Alto, California, at the age of 89.
One of 10 children, Lillian graduated from Weaver High School, where she was a cheerleader and an excellent student. She married Alfred Dubinsky on June 18, 1950, in Hartford, Connecticut. The couple lived for a short while in Newark, Ohio and Washington, D.C. before settling first in Cleveland, Ohio then Benton Harbor, Michigan then Palm Desert, California, then moving to the Vi in Palo Alto seven years ago.
Lillian was an accomplished bridge player, with Silver Life Master status, earning over 2,000 points. She taught bridge and ran her own games at various times in her life.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Alfred, her children Michael (Rona), Donna (Lenny) and Ann (Jere), and her grandchildren Bradley, Jennifer and Marina. Her family and her many friends will miss her very much.
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be sent to TheatreWorks, P.O. Box 50458, Palo Alto, CA, 94303-0458 in recognition of Lillian’s passion for theater.
Donald Heiman
9/3/30–6/3/2013
Born in San Francisco. Predeceased by his first wife, the loving Sheila Berlin Heiman. Survived by his beloved wife Shirley Mintzer Heiman; his children, David Heiman (Cheryl), Debra Heiman, and Jennifer Banks (David); two grandchildren, Alia and Taylor Heiman; sister-in-law, Shirley Cohen Heiman; and many nieces and nephews.
Attended George Washington High School and was graduated from U.C. Berkeley. Retired as President of Reactor Experiments, Inc. (a nuclear safety company). Was active in civic affairs. In Belmont: Planning Commissioner, Councilman, Chairman of the Fire Commission and Mayor. In San Mateo: President of the Service League, Chair of the Criminal Justice Council, Chair of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission and the Grand Jury. He was also Director of the Peninsula Jewish Community Center and Trustee of Peninsula Temple Beth El.
He was grateful for the support of his many friends and to his caregivers, Allan, Sekola, Zeus and especially by his caring wife and children. A memorial service was held at Peninsula Temple Beth El, San Mateo on June 5. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Service League of San Mateo County, 727 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA 94063 or to your favorite charity.
Lesli Sachs-Williams
Lesli Sachs-Williams, born in 1943, passed away unexpectedly on May 14 while on holiday with her husband, Eddie Williams; daughter Loryn Hicks was by her side as well. Lesli was raised in Brooklyn, became a P.E. teacher in Harlem, moved to California in her 20s, and lived a vibrant life of political, civil rights and feminist activism in the Bay Area. She went to U.C. Berkeley, received her nursing degree and became a dedicated nurse and health advocate.
Lesli moved to the Half Moon Bay area in 1989 with her then-husband, Lonnie Hicks, and their young daughter, Loryn. Lesli worked for over 15 years in the San Mateo County Community College District, many of them at Cañada College, where she reformed the health center, including hiring a Nurse Practitioner, and started an annual health fair.
Lesli met her beshert, Eddie Williams, in 2005, and a few years after they married, they moved to San Diego where she enjoyed the sun, a new community and living closer to her sister Carole and other family members in Southern California.
Lesli lived life with passion, including mobilizing Jews on the San Mateo County coast to become what is now a thriving independent, unaffiliated congregation, Coastside Jewish Community. When Lesli first moved to the coast, there was no obvious Jewish presence. She planned a Chanukah party, advertised it, and 80 people showed up, all declaring “I thought I was the only Jew in town!” With her dynamic and tenacious leadership, her vision of a spirited Jewish community on the coast was brought to fruition and a fully realized sense of community is her deep and loving legacy. Daughter Loryn received her bat mitzvah at CJC and Lesli and Eddie were married by CJC’s spiritual leaders.
Lesli is survived by her husband Eddie, daughter Loryn, sisters Carole (and partner Janathan) and Louise (husband Don), nieces, nephews and grand-nephews and — of course — the entire congregation of CJC, past, present and future, with deep gratitude for the dedication and energy Lesli put into creating and helping sustain this sweet Jewish community.
Shloshim memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 23 from 2 to 4 p.m., led by Coastside Jewish Community Spiritual Leaders Jhos Singer and Julie Batz, at Holy Family Church, 1590 South Cabrillo Highway, south of Half Moon Bay, west of Highway 1. The Lesli Sachs-Williams Clergy Fund has been established at CJC in her honor. For more information, please contact CJC (650) 479-5252 or www.CoastsideJewishCommunity.org