Diane Laura Ellison
May 14, 1932–Sept. 24, 2015
Diane passed away in her San Rafael home. She was born in Bronx, New York, to the late Ida and Aaron Schwimmer and was raised in Fall River, Massachusetts. She received her BA from Pembroke College in 1953, at that time the Women’s College of Brown University. Diane married in 1955 and moved to Boston, where she taught elementary school. In 1957 she and her husband, Seymour, came to Carmel, California, as he served at Fort Ord Army Base and she taught elementary school.
They settled in Marin County in 1960 where they raised their two children. Diane received an MA in special education from San Francisco State University. In the mid-1980s she joined the Marin County Office of Education, and in 1992 the Ross Valley School District. She was a highly respected Special Day Classes and kindergarten teacher, retiring shortly before her 75th birthday.
Diane was a San Francisco Opera season ticket-holder for three decades. She enjoyed seeing her friends and entertaining and had a great eye for antiques, fashion and art. She cherished her frequent holidays to New York to spend time with family, visit museums and attend theater. She instilled a strong work ethic and the value of education in her children and shared her appreciation of foreign, independent and occasionally offbeat film. In Diane’s recent years her greatest passion was spending time with her beloved granddaughter.
Survived by daughter Amy of Berkeley; son Andrew, daughter-in-law Stacey and granddaughter Adeline of San Rafael; sister Sandra Nulman of Rhode Island; a niece, nephew and many cousins. Donations can be made to Congregation Rodef Sholom.
Benjamin Irving Tarrant
Age 104, passed away at the Jewish Home of San Francisco on Sept. 19, 2015. Ben was a resident of San Francisco since 1964.
Ben was born in Riga, Latvia, on March 21, 1911 to Abraham and Rebecca Tarrant. The family, which included his two sisters, Mary and Frances, immigrated to Chicago, Illinois, when Ben was a young child.
Ben married his beloved wife, Ethel, in Chicago, where they lived and worked until Ben’s job as an accountant brought them to San Francisco in 1964. Ben served in the United States Army as an officer during World War II, stationed in Europe. He was honored to be a member of Congregation Ner Tamid. Ben’s wife, Ethel, preceded him in death. She lived for many years at the Jewish Home, where Ben visited her every day. He lived independently for many years as one of the longest tenants at the Park Merced apartments, but wisely moved to the Jewish Home, where he made wonderful friends and where he was made to feel comfortable and valued in a thriving community.
Ben was a devoted husband, uncle and friend. He is survived by his nephews Howard Schulman and Barry Schulman, his niece Susan Saroff, his cousin Ellen Kahn, great-nieces and great-nephews and many cousins. The family acknowledges with gratitude his dear friend Barbara Mannheim, who was like a daughter to him. He will be dearly missed by those that were fortunate to know him.
Graveside services were held at Salem Memorial Park, Colma. Contributions may be made to the Jewish Home of San Francisco, 302 Silver St., San Francisco, CA 94112.
Geri Weidman
Geri (Taylor) Weidman passed away on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015 at age 87. Born on July 20, 1928, Geri was a third-generation San Franciscan, born to Elise (Black) and Charles Taylor, and graduated from George Washington High School. Geri was the loving mother of Ross Brann (Eileen Yagoda), Lyle Brann, Barry Brann, and Beth Brann (Roger Glenn), and proud and loving grandmother of Amir Brann, Allon Brann and Erin Kunes. In 1996 Geri was predeceased by her husband of 31 years, Bill (Colman) Weidman, and then by her companion of 18 years Jerry Urbach.
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