Toni Schanz Benowitz, mother of Robert Helwing and Arne Benowitz, grandmother of Christopher Shelvock, great-grandmother of Xander, Lily and Sydney, and aunt of Lydia Brock and Ronald Schanz, passed away on Jan. 29, 2016 at age 94 after a brief illness.

Toni was born in Vienna, Austria, on Oct. 22, 1921 and grew up there until her family had to flee to America in September 1938 from the Nazis. Toni remained in New York City for 11 years and worked at a number of jobs, including employment at Bulova Watch Company and IBM. During World War II, Toni was working in a necktie factory filling orders for the military when she seized the opportunity to work for the war effort in the Office of Strategic Services as a censor of German POW mail. As a censor, her task was to seek out information from the prisoners’ mail that was of strategic military value to the Allies in selecting targets, as well as prevent strategic information from the prisoners being sent to the enemy.

Following the war, in 1949, Toni came to San Francisco on a visit and decided not to return to NYC. Shortly after establishing herself in California, she met and married Louis Helwing and had a son, Robert. Toni and Louis divorced after a brief period of marriage and Toni then met and married Sander Benowitz on Jan. 1, 1954, doing so deliberately so that Sander would not forget their wedding anniversary. In 1956, Toni had a second son, Arne, and the family moved to Sunnyvale where Toni and Sander resided for the rest of their lives. They were married for 49 years, which were the happiest years of their lives. Toni was a most loving and generous person and will be missed by her family and friends.

Funeral arrangements made with Sinai Memorial Chapel with interment at Hills of Eternity Cemetery in Colma. The family would appreciate any donations made on behalf of Toni be made to one’s favorite charity. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the care given to Toni by Drs. Kathryn Renschler and Roger Winkle, caregiver Cielito Rivera, and to the nurses and nursing assistants and other staff at Webster House in Palo Alto.

Sinai Memorial Chapel

(415) 921-3636

Jerry Calander, loving father, brother and uncle, passed away peacefully in his home on Jan. 23, 2016. Having grown up in San Francisco, Jerry loved the 49ers, the Giants and all things Grateful Dead. Most of all, he loved his community of family and friends. Jerry will be sorely missed.

 

 

 

 

 

Frederick Laurence Melmon

Dec. 9, 1926–Jan. 31, 2016

Frederick (“Fred”) Melmon passed away on Jan. 31 at his longtime home in Los Altos surrounded by his family. Fred was a San Francisco native. He was the loving husband of Fae Melmon for 58 years. He is survived by Fae and their three children: Barbara (Martin Levin) Davis, Paul (Nancy) Melmon, and Sharon Melmon. Fred was also a grandfather (better known as “GP”) to Jody Davis and Julia, Becca and Eli Melmon. He will be remembered for his gentle kindness, patience and wry sense of humor. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests donations be made to Hebrew Free Loan, Yosemite Institute or the charity of your choice.

Carol L. Tat

Jan. 1, 1917–Jan. 20, 2016

Died peacefully at home with her family by her side. Predeceased by her husband of 69 years, Russell J. Tat, M.D. Survived by two children, Robert and Barbra Morgan; two grandchildren, Erika Morgan (Adarsh) and Erin Smith (Peter); and one great-grandchild, Cameron Smith.

A third-generation Californian, Carol was born and raised in San Francisco along with her twin sister, Lois (Peal). She graduated from Lowell High School and U.C. Berkeley. She met Russell on a blind date while he was interning at Mount Zion Hospital.

Known for her impeccable style, Carol was the quintessential hostess. She enjoyed flower arranging, painting and volunteering at Mount Zion Hospital and Temple Emanu-El, where she was a member since childhood.

Interment was private. Donations to Pathways Hospice or the charity of your choice.

William (Bill) Tiefenthal passed from this life on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016 surrounded by his loving family.

Bill was born in 1940 in Shanghai, China, and immigrated to the U.S. in 1947. He and his beloved wife, Linda, had been married for 54 years. Bill left two daughters, Esther Winston (Ed) and Audrey Shapiro (Andy), and four grandchildren, Geoffrey Winston, Stephen Winston, Claudia Shapiro and Randy Shapiro. Bill was an office supply salesman in San Francisco and then the owner of Bill’s Office Supplies in Sonoma. He lived in Sonoma for the past 40 years.

Besides his immediate family, Bill is survived by his sister Ann Ross (Steve), his nephew Andrew Moore and his great-nephew Elliott Hagler. His niece, Amy Hagler, passed away on Jan. 4, 2016.

Funeral services were held in Sonoma and Bill was buried at the Sonoma Valley Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery. Donations in Bill’s memory may be made to Congregation Shir Shalom, the Leukemia Lymphoma Society or North Bay Hospice.