Rose Genirberg

Rose Genirberg died peacefully in the evening of Monday, July 8, 2013 (2nd of Av, 5773) of congestive heart failure after five days in the critical care unit at Kaiser-Permanente (Richmond). She was 89 years old. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, her younger sister and three children.

Born in Zdunska-Wola, Poland, in her early teen years her family moved to Lodz, Poland, where the family endured the privations of the Lodz ghetto until its final liquidation in September 1944, when she, her mother, father and sister were transported by train to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Her father was killed upon arrival after selection by Dr. Mengele. The three survivors were transported from Birkenau to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, then to the Saltzwedel forced-labor work camp in Germany, from which she was liberated by the 84th Infantry (“Railsplitter”) Division of the American Army on April 14, 1945.

Rose met her surviving husband at a displaced persons camp in Zeiltseim, Germany, where they were married. After many months of waiting for an immigration visa, the couple immigrated to America by ship in 1948 with a baby girl in arms and settled in Sonoma County. Rose candled eggs and drove a manual-shift pickup truck.

In 1960, the couple relocated to Contra Costa County as Rose’s husband’s vocation shifted from chicken ranching to ice cream production and service (Moo’s Ice Cream on MacDonald Avenue in Richmond). They joined Temple Beth Hillel when the congregation met on MacDonald Avenue in Richmond, with which the couple remained affiliated, as well as with Congregation Beth Israel in Berkeley for some years in the 1960s.

Rose was scrupulously attentive to the well-being of her husband and children. She loved musicals; she was a fierce and successful competitor at mah-jongg and bridge. She could play blackjack at a casino for hours without tiring. She retained personal dignity and displayed moral courage till her last breath.

The funeral service graciously and beautifully was led by Rabbi Dean Kertesz on July 11 at Temple Beth Hillel in Richmond, after which interment was completed at Home of Eternity Cemetery and Mausoleum in Oakland, sensitively managed by Funeral Director Michael A. Skolnick, Sinai Memorial Chapel (Lafayette). Shiva was at the family home in El Cerrito.

Martin Gershik

and Marlene Gershik

Martin Gershik, 72, and Marlene Gershik, 68, died on July 10, 2013.

Marty was born to Yale and Kate Gershik on September 17, 1940 in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Jefferson High School and was promptly drafted into the Army, which would be the source of stories at family gatherings for the next 50 years. He married the love of his life, Marlene, on June 22, 1963.

Marlene was born to Irving and Sylvia Kopito on November 5, 1944 in Brooklyn. She graduated from Tilden High School and promptly married the love of her life, Martin Gershik.

Marty was a retail executive, working at Lord and Taylor, Hudsons, Gimbels, the Emporium, Broadway, Macy’s, Kinney Shoes and Sears. He mentored hundreds of young professionals who went on to successful careers in the shoe industry. Marlene operated a shoe store called Spatz in Mill Valley, California, and later became a registered nurse. She brought comfort and care to thousands of patients and colleagues over the years.

Both Marty and Marlene were active in the community, volunteering to help the sick and aged. Marlene was a popular volunteer teacher of reading to children at Sun Valley Elementary School. Marty was briefly a school crossing guard in the town of Ross, California, until he was let go because he was entertaining the parents and children so much with his antics that he actually slowed down traffic.

Marlene and Marty celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their sons, daughters-in-law and all four grandchildren just three weeks ago with a week all together in Mexico. It was the trip of a lifetime — one that made so many beautiful memories.

On the day they died, they had just spent the day with their closest friends, Sylvia and Charles Gill of San Rafael, California. All of Marty and Marlene’s friends and family know that on the day they died, they were as happy as they had ever been.

Marlene and Marty are survived by two children: Steven Gershik of San Ramon, California, and David Gershik of Novato, California. They are also survived by two wonderful daughters-in-law, Melinna and Lani Gershik, and four grandchildren: Samuel, Leo, Alison and Sarah.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Congregation Rodef Sholom or Camp Tawonga, in loving memory of Marlene and Marty Gershik.

Louise Magner

Louise Magner, in San Bruno on July 14, 2013 at age 88. Beloved wife of the late Toby Magner Jr. for 58 years; loving mother of Mary (Wendy) Magner and the late Grant Magner; adoring grandmother of Lee Magner.

Louise was past president and treasurer of the National Council of Jewish Women. She was born in Oakland and lived in San Francisco from the age of 12. Louise was an active volunteer her whole life, especially at the Jewish Home and Mount Zion Hospital. She was a caretaker for many family members. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Services will be held on Friday, July 19, 2013 at 11:30 a.m. at Home of Peace Cemetery, 1299 El Camino Real, Colma. Donations to Maitri Compassionate Care,

401 Duboce Ave., San Francisco, CA 94117, (415) 558-3000 is preferred.

Leona “Lee” Zelitzky

Leona “Lee” Zelitzky died peacefully on July 7, 2013. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri on May 28, 1925, raised in Detroit, Michigan. She was the youngest of three sisters and a loving and devoted aunt to a large circle of nieces and nephews. She was happily married for 62 years to Irvin Zelitzky.

She was an accomplished artist. She did many beautiful paintings and sketches. In her early years she danced with some of the top modern dancers in New York City, she performed extensively with Murray Louis and trained under Martha Graham and worked with Alwin Nikolais. She taught dance for many years at the San Mateo Parks and Recreation centers. She also produced copious amounts of beautiful pottery at the Foster City Recreation Center.

Sister of the late Elma Rader and the late Ida Burstein. She is survived by her daughter, Gali, her son, Jay, daughter-in-law Sue, and her three grandchildren Maayan, Naor and Orly. Donations in her memory should be made to Planned Parenthood. Services were held at Hills of Eternity Memorial Park, Colma.