Ilse G. (Gerty) Levy

Born August 5, 1920 in Vienna, Austria, passed away peacefully at home on July 31, 2013, just days before her 93rd birthday. Gerty was predeceased by her loving husband of 66 years, Hans. She was the loving mother of Ron (Pam) and Bob (Leslie), adoring grandmother of Scott (Sara), Kim (Greg), Lisa and Sara, and great-grandmother to Isis.

Known as Gerty to her many friends, she lived a long and eventful life. As a young girl, she fled the Nazis, going first to Prague and then Shanghai with her mother and father. In fact, it was Gerty’s ingenuity and charm that secured the passage to safety in China for her family. While living in the Shanghai ghetto, she met her future husband, Hans, who became her partner for life. In 1947, they immigrated to San Francisco, where they started a family and established their business.

Family meant everything to Gerty. She could not have been a more loving and loyal mother to her two sons. She was an exceptionally warm mother-in-law, passing down traditions and special recipes. Omi, as she was called, had a special relationship with her four grandchildren. She followed their progress through school and in life and was proud of their many accomplishments. Omi always had a smile for her new great-granddaughter whom she cherished.

Gerty was also a warm and compassionate friend to so many. She loved to socialize and was a gracious hostess. Her house was always open to their many friends. Gerty’s extensive travel with Hans gave her insight into the lives and cultures of people around the world. She lived life to the fullest and always maintained a positive outlook. Loved by everyone who knew her, Gerty inspired so many people right up to the end of her life. We will miss her every day. The family would like to thank her special caregivers Barbara and Lupe for all their love and care.

Donations may be made to the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco (www.jewishfed.org) or Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Israel (www.szmc.org.il/en). A private family service was held.

Sinai Memorial Chapel

Jack Osheroff

Jack’s father, Samuel Osheroff, and his mother, Leah Shamovsky, were married in 1922. Jack was their only child. He was born January 15, 1924 in Harbin, China, and passed away August 1, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif., at the age of 89.

As a child growing up in China, he loved going to Betar Club, a Zionist movement originally started by Joseph Trumpeldor. Its goal was to form the State of Israel. At a very young age Jack believed in the creation and State of Israel, and throughout his life he was a strong supporter.

Jack was an excellent athlete. He won many medals in speed skating and was a champion gymnast. He also won medals in pingpong, track and shotput.

He came to the United States by boat on May 16, 1940 on a ship named the Asama Maru and settled in San Francisco with his parents. During World War II he worked on the Liberty ships as a boilermaker and was promoted to supervisor at a very young age. After the war he went into business for himself. He opened up Sunset Washette on 44th Avenue and Noriega Street. He grew this business into a very successful flooring company, Sunset Carpets, which he ran for 47 years.

He met the love of his life at the Jewish Community Center in May 1953, in the social room where they played pingpong and billiards. A lady sitting next to him asked him, “How come you’re not married?” And he replied, “Every time I ask a girl she says no.” At that moment, a pingpong ball ran under his chair. He bent down to pick it up and when he looked up, there was a beautiful young girl wearing a pink sweater. As he handed her the ball, he asked her to marry him. She replied, “No thank you.” So he said to the first lady, “See? I told you she would say no.” A month later he met the girl in the pink sweater again at a dance at the Jewish Center. He asked her to dance and said, “Do you remember me? I’m the man that asked you to marry me.” That girl was Sandra Dulberg, the love of his life. They started dating shortly after that, and on February 21, 1954, they were married.

They had three wonderful children that he loved very much, Linda, Robert and Ted. He also loved his two daughters-in-law, Tami and Karri, and his four beautiful granddaughters, Rachel, Jillian, Brooke and Lauren.

He was a very kind, gentle, generous, caring, loving man. He was selfless and put the care and needs of others before himself. He never complained about anything even when he was sick. He was a great man. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. He devoted his life to his wife and family.

Services were held August 2, 2013, at Eternal Home Cemetery, Colma. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Far Eastern Society or the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund (JCEF) would be kindly appreciated.

Sinai Memorial Chapel