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Jack Elfant, beloved husband, father, grandfather and uncle, passed away at 93 on Friday, July 25.

“Uncle Jack,” as many knew him, was born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the youngest of five. Siblings were Joseph, Dorothy, Herbert and Jean. His parents were Sam and Minnie.

After serving on a Navy supply ship in Japan during WWII, Jack entered the University of California, Berkeley, on the GI Bill and studied optometry. In 1949, Jack married Frances Stecher and the couple had three children: daughters Sheryl and Raina, and son Howard. His first practice was in Quincy, Calif., an hour’s drive north of Tahoe, later relocating his practice to Daly City.

After separating from his wife in the mid-’70s, Jack met a lovely young lady who worked in the Therapeutic Radiology Department at Stanford University who would be the love of his life. Jack and Seena were married on Feb. 5, 1978 and resided in Palo Alto’s Oak Creek Apartments.

Jack became obsessed with traveling and cycling, joining the Stanford Bike Club. He biked all over the U.K. for 15 years in the ’70s and ’80s. He and Seena traveled all over the world: India, South Africa, South America, Russia and Scandinavia. The couple volunteered on many trips to Israel, helping the Optometry Department at Hadassah College, serving food at the Meir Panim soup kitchen and washing dishes in the army kitchen. Later, Jack and Seena would move to Rossmoor in Walnut Creek, where Jack would become addicted to bridge and table tennis, excelling at both. He showed no fear as he participated in weekly folk and square dance sessions despite having two left feet.

This loving, caring, beloved Jack lived the last 2 1⁄2 years at Reutlinger. He is survived by the love of his life, Seena, his 97-year-old brother Herb, children, grandchildren, great-grandson and countless nephews and nieces.

The memorial service will be held at Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living at 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hadassah Academic College or your favorite charity.

Sandra Mae Lawrence of Walnut Creek, California, passed away peacefully at home on July 27, 2014 at the age of 75.

Born in Baltimore, Md. on Aug. 17, 1938, Sandie moved west to the Bay Area in the early ’60s and created a wonderful life.

Sandie had a remarkable ability to connect with people and connect them to activities and others they would enjoy. Her curiosity, strength and independence led her to a variety of experiences that enriched her life and that of those she met along the way. She enjoyed careers in real estate, retail and teaching — her main profession — and volunteer roles in many organizations. She traveled extensively and was always up for a new adventure. A true example of living life to the fullest, she was a great friend to many and will be missed tremendously.

She is survived by her loving daughters, Denise Crevin (Dan) of Elk Grove, Calif., and Jessica Lawrence of Concord, Calif.; and three stepsons, Brad, Benjie (Betsy) and Dean Lawrence. She was a proud grandmother to Ava and Max Crevin, Jacob, Gabriel, David and Nathan Doigny, and Will, Kate, Ted, Sam, Noah, Krystal, Kayla and Dustin Lawrence. She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Michael Lawrence.

Donations in her memory can be made to Diablo Valley Hadassah, c/o 1824-A Camino Verde, Walnut Creek, CA 94597.

Sinai Memorial Chapel (925) 962-3636

Esther Siegel Rubin

Nov. 29, 1919 to July 29, 2014

Esther passed away peacefully in her sleep in San Rafael, Calif. Esther was born in York, Pa., and moved to California with her family in 1924. She graduated from U.C. Berkeley School of Optometry.

Esther was predeceased by the love of her life William (Bill) Rubin as well as her brothers and sisters, Emanuel and Sylvia Siegel, Nathan Siegel, Samuel and Zelda Kramer, Jack and Evelyn Siegel, Eda and Stanley Herst and a niece and nephew. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Alberta Siegel. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews. Esther will be remembered as a loving and generous person who lived life her way. She volunteered with organizations and was actively involved with the Jewish community.

Her family requests that donations in her memory be made to Congregation Rodef Sholom in San Rafael or Jewish Family and Children’s Services. A memorial was held at Congregation Rodef Sholom.