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Deaths for the week of August 4, 2017

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Marlene Greenblat-Melis passed away peacefully at home on July 21, 2017, at the age of 86.

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Marlene Greenblat-Melis

She was an only child born and raised in San Francisco by her loving parents, Elsie Gervititz Greenblat and Benjamin Greenblat. A second generation San Franciscan, she attended Lowell High School and City College of San Francisco. Marlene was married for 32 years to her beloved husband, Nick Melis, with whom she worked side by side in their restaurant business in the East Bay.

Marlene was a beloved daughter, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and longtime hospice volunteer. She would like to be remembered as a wonderful, loyal, loving friend to all.

She is survived by her children Brad, Benjie (Betsy) and Dean; her eight grandchildren; and, of course, her loyal dog and companion Sweet Pea.

A private family service was held at Salem Memorial Park in Colma, California.


Etta Klein, 96, passed away on June 22, 2017 at her home in Menlo Park.

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Etta Klein

Etta valued being productive, independent, American and optimistic. She produced award-winning sales for over 46 years, until retirement at 84. Key to being independent was keeping fit. Etta exercised with her friends at the YMCA in the ‘80s and ‘90s and with her gang at Little House for the last 20 years.

Her parents, Samuel and Alta Goldman, arrived at Ellis Island in 1906 and started over in Chicago. Etta, born in 1920, brought home English and excellent grades. She married Oscar Klein in 1942 and raised their son Sam until her husband returned from WWII. Oscar died in 1980, and Etta moved to California in 1998 to join daughter Michele’s family.

Etta felt responsible as an American and privileged to vote. She celebrated July 4 and Veteran’s Day as one who personally understood their meaning. Thanksgiving and Passover were her times to shine. She cracked up guests with jokes at holiday tables, and showed us all how to enjoy ourselves. She knew how to be happy, even with adversity. When recently diagnosed with cancer, she did not dwell on it. She was bright, wise, strong and serene.

She is survived by Michele Klein (daughter) and Glenn Daniel, Portola Valley, CA; Sam (son) and Sherry Klein, NY; Robert (grandson) and Jennifer Klein and three great-grandchildren, NY. She had a close bond with Kathleen and Harlow Robinson (nephew), Megan (great niece) and Jeff Utne, and Mary (great-niece) and Chris Segura, all of the Chicago area.

Services were held with Rabbi Marder, Congregation Beth Am, Los Altos Hills, officiating. Donations in Etta Klein’s memory may be made to: PA-Family Medicine Fund in honor of Dr. Steven Lane, PAMF Dept. of Philanthropy, 795 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94301.


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Lynn Rice

Lynn Rice died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Rossmoor on July 23, 2017. Lynn was born in Detroit and earned her BA in chemistry from the University of Michigan. She moved to Berkeley in 1957 and went on to be one of only four women graduates among Boalt Hall Law School’s class of 1968. Lynn practiced law in the Berkeley area from 1968 to 2012. Throughout her life, Lynn loved travel, theater, tennis, and folk dancing. She is survived by her children, Laura Rice-Hall, Eric Rice, and Alan Rice, and her grandchildren Rob Kariakin, Natalie Rice, and Matthew Rice.


It is with heartfelt sadness that we memorialize Edwin Aaron Schwartz at the time of the unveiling. Edwin is survived by his wife, Florence; his four children Terry Appel (David Appel), Steven Allan (Wibke), Diane Wendy (Jeffrey Baruh), and JoAnne Cindy (Joel Lesser); his seven granddaughters Jordan Appel, Melanie and Natalie Lesser, Jamie Himler, and Cleo, Harper, and Juno Schwartz; and his sister Mildred Ehrlich.

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Edwin Aaron Schwartz

A colorful individual, Edwin was widely admired and helped many navigate life’s challenges. Edwin was a practicing psychologist for 60 years until suffering a stroke at 87. Edwin earned his BA from NYU, Masters from New Mexico, and PhD. from Stanford after serving in the Air Force during the Korean War. Edwin taught psychology at the College of San Mateo for over 40 years as well. Throughout the course of his life, he helped and educated thousands. A Facebook page has been created in his memory.

Edwin was a unique, brilliant man with excellent taste, a good eye, and lightning-fast wit. Edwin was always deeply devoted to Judaism and Israel.

An avid sportsman and excellent shot, Edwin was passionate about game bird hunting, deep sea fishing, and trapshooting. He was somewhat of a wine savant and over the years amassed a collection of hard-to-acquire vintages. He was also an Anglophile and deeply interested in maritime art.

New Jersey-born, Edwin loved California and particularly enjoyed the Northern California countryside and Lake Tahoe.

The family, and many people he helped, deeply feel the loss, an irreplaceable void, and that he is continually missed. Edwin is at rest at the Gan Hazikaron Cemetery in Skylawn.