Obituaries are supported by a generous grant from Sinai Memorial Chapel.
Pauline Novey Berkow
1930-2024
Pauline Berkow died peacefully on Oct. 30, 2024, at the age of 94. Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, she married her true love, Joseph M. Berkow, at the age of 19. After having three children, the family moved to Cranston, Rhode Island. Pauline went to college (and later graduate school) at the University of Rhode Island and had a long career as a special education teacher. She had tremendous compassion and patience in helping her students learn to accommodate their learning differences.
Joseph died suddenly at the age of 49, in 1978. Pauline moved to the Bay Area in 1987 to be closer to two of her children. She taught at Tennyson High School in Hayward and lived for many years in Foster City. She was an active “Nana” and played excellent bridge (earning her Life Master). She married Ronald Kauffman after retiring from teaching, and had many good years traveling, enjoying various book clubs, and volunteering in her community. Both she and Ron were longtime volunteers for TheatreWorks, and Pauline also volunteered for literacy programs. She and Ron were regular subscribers to the San Francisco Symphony. Pauline loved to cook for her family. She was very active at the Jewish Community Center in Foster City, where she took many classes – everyone knew her. She was a member of Congregation Beth Am, Los Altos Hills. Pauline loved Torah study with Rabbi Janet Marder. She was superfriendly and had an infectious smile. She lived at Palo Alto Commons the last five years of her life.
She is survived by her three children, Neil Berkow (Ellen), Stamford, CT; Marjory Berkow Greenwald (George), Palo Alto, CA; and Jon Berkoe (Mimi), San Rafael, CA. She is also survived by five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Pauline was laid to rest at Hills of Eternity in Colma. Donations to Jewish causes preferred.
Esther Gloria Gellen
Esther Gloria Gellen, a native of San Francisco, was born on Jan. 21, 1935, and passed away on Oct. 7, 2024. She lived 89 years fully, with great joy, love, and compassion for others. She celebrated and honored each day in style, with a fashionable outfit, high heels, and makeup, whether it was a day at home or a day out and about.
Esther grew up in the Richmond District of San Francisco and attended Washington High School. She loved the city life and enjoyed riding the Muni bus downtown for shopping, events, and meeting friends at restaurants. Committed to the Jewish values of welcoming, comforting, and seeing the positive in people, Esther not only initiated friendships, but kept and nurtured them. She enjoyed learning people’s life stories and sharing many stories of her own.
Esther married the love of her life, Bill Gellen, in 1955 and they celebrated 65 years of marriage before Bill passed away in 2020. She and Bill owned Agnews’ Marina Drugs in San Francisco, where they worked side by side and built a well-known, close community in the Marina for 38 years.
Esther and Bill moved to the Sacramento area 20 years ago to be closer geographically to their grandchildren, Lauren and Joshua, and to be present to watch them grow up. They moved to Eskaton in Roseville 9 years ago, where they developed a wonderful group of friends. Esther had a very active presence in the community, taking art classes, cooking for potlucks, and participating in Eskaton’s rendition of “The Music Man” as one of the Pick-a-Little Talk-a-Little ladies. Despite several health challenges, Esther was determined to continue living independently, doing her own cooking, cleaning and gardening. She was able to enjoy these activities up until the end of her life.
Esther Gloria Gellen, daughter of the late Tillie and George Noveshen, leaves behind her brother, Larry Noveshen (Judi), her daughters, Karyn Karp (Mary) and Andrea Rosenblume (Harold), and her grandchildren, Lauren Zink (Dane) and Joshua Rosenblume, and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She will be tremendously missed by everyone who knew her.
Gary Gibbs Morris
Gary Gibbs Morris passed away peacefully in his favorite chair on Oct. 23, 2024, at the age of 82. A native San Franciscan, he was the loving son of the late Frank and Juel Morris. He shared 54 wonderful years of marriage with the love of his life, Letty. He was the proud father of Allyson (Evan) and Jayson (Andrea). Gary was the older brother of Craig (Cindy) and the brother-in-law to many Puccinellis: John (Jeneen), the late Richard (Roberta and the late Rosemarie), and the late Ann.
He was a kind soul who loved to make others laugh. His hobbies included graphic artistry, reading, cars, crosswords, and television. And he loved his wife more than anything. He will live on in our memories and our hearts.
Private funeral services were held. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to KQED or Little Sisters of the Poor SF.
Jeanne Susnow Sassoon
Jeanne Evelyn Susnow Sassoon was born in San Francisco at Mt. Zion Hospital on March 15, 1931, the daughter of Rose Zlot Susnow and David A. Susnow, M.D.
Jeanne attended Sherith Israel Sunday School where she was confirmed, as well as the Grant School on Pacific Avenue and then Lowell High School where she was an active member of the Winter Class of 1949 as class officer, Block L and President of the Shield Honor Service Society. She went on to UC Berkeley where she was affiliated with the Alpha Epsilon Phi Society.
Jeanne married Meyer Sassoon (deceased) in August 1952 with whom she raised three children, Joy Helene Sassoon, Sherri Ann Sassoon, and David Abram Sassoon, Ph.D.
Jeanne was devoted to her children and was very active in the San Francisco Jewish community, serving as President of the Mt. Zion Hospital Auxiliary as well as President of the Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood.
Jeanne is survived by her children and their spouses (Chistophe Deschler and Giovanna Marazzi, M.D.) and four grandchildren, Alessandro Marazzi-Sassoon, Sarah Marazzi-Sassoon (Leonard Ssemakula), Nicolas Deschler and David Deschler, her sister, Gayle Susnow Rodgers (Edwin Lee Rodgers, M.D.), as well as all her dear friends, some of many years and her close community the San Francisco Towers.
She will be missed by all who knew her. May her memory be a blessing.