Jane Triest Burrows
September 27, 1921–March 24, 2015
Jane Triest Burrows, beloved wife of the late Sumner Burrows, devoted mother and adoring grandmother and great-grandmother, died peacefully at home in San Francisco. A third-generation San Franciscan, she loved life, her family and her friends. They will remember her curiosity, tenacity and independence.
Jane was an only child born on Sept. 27, 1921 to Irma and Joseph Triest. She grew up in San Francisco, where she attended Katherine Delmar Burke School – Class of 1939. She then attended Stanford University and graduated in 1943 in the midst of World War II.
After graduation, like many of her fellow graduates, she chose to aid in the war effort. While volunteering at the Junior Officers Club in San Francisco, Jane met the young Navy officer who would become her husband, Sumner Burrows. Jane and Sumner married late in 1943 and went on to enjoy 57 years of marriage. After the war Jane and Sumner returned to San Francisco, where they raised three children and later spent time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Jane worked at Saks Fifth Avenue as their fashion commentator. She enjoyed the work, the friendships she made and the discounts she received. In the late 1960s Jane launched her own business, BurroCraft, through which she produced small gold silhouettes of children, which mothers wore on their charm bracelets.
Jane was an avid lifelong learner. She attended classes at the Fromm Institute and was a patron of both the San Francisco Symphony and the San Francisco Opera. In her 70s Jane participated in the Coro Women’s Program. After Coro she went on to U.C. Berkeley and earned a certificate in the study program in advanced gerontology. Eventually Jane combined this new interest with her photography skills as the in-house photographer at the Jewish Home of San Francisco.
Jane loved to spend time traveling and being in the outdoors. She began hiking at a young age on Mt. Tamalpais. Until her late 70s, Jane found family and friends with whom to hike locally, nationally and internationally. From the age of 3 until she was 90, Jane traveled the world. On her 90th birthday her children gave her a globe on which were marked 70 countries she had visited — most with her husband.
Jane is survived by her three children, Lynn Bunim (Alexander Fetter), Nancy Jones (Peder) and Steven Burrows. She was a loving grandmother, affectionately known as Gaga, to Dede Bunim Kramer (Dan Kramer), Lesley Bunim (Michael Jensen), Amy Jones (Jason Ward), Laura Jones (Brian Matthay), and Leila, Zoey and Tara Burrows. She was blessed to have five great-grandchildren: Caroline, Scarlett and Ellie Kramer, Cienna Jones and Caleb Jensen.
The family is grateful to the wonderful caregivers Mercedes Solis and Mele Taufa Tiueti, who ensured that Jane was able to live in her home until her passing.
A memorial service will be held at
2 p.m. Friday, April 10 at Congregation Emanu-El, Arguello Boulevard and Lake Street, San Francisco. Donations to the Jewish Home of San Francisco, for the Burrows Family Fund for Nursing Education, 302 Silver Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112 or the charity of your choice would be gratefully appreciated.
Robert Caplow
In Danville, March 26, age 95. Predeceased by Norma Caplow, wife of 59 years. Father of Phyllis Helfand and Stephen (and Jocelyne) Caplow. Grandfather of Jessica (and Michael) Eiselman and Julie and Alex Caplow. Great-grandfather of Abigail, Shayna and Zack Eiselman. Resident of Rossmoor since 1997 and native of New Haven, Connecticut.
Received honorary bachelor of science degree from University of New Haven at age 90. Lived independently and actively until age 95. Best known for his spirit of volunteerism, positive attitude and participation in the Manhattan Project.
Graveside services were held at Oakmont Memorial Park in Lafayette. Donations to University of New Haven, Office of Advancement, 300 Boston Post Road, West Haven, CT 06516 or the charity of your choice.
Sinai Memorial Chapel
(925) 962-3636
Belle Cohen
Belle Cohen (nee Goldberg) passed away peacefully, March 8, 2014 in Danville, California.
She was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, on Dec. 2, 1918 to Rebecca and Jacob Goldberg. She moved to Linden, New Jersey, as a child, where she was raised by Mamie and Jacob Goldberg. A 1936 graduate of Linden High School, she married Abe Cohen of Newark in September 1940, shortly before he began serving in the U.S. Army. He passed away in April 1946 just after his discharge from the Army.
Belle continued living in Linden and Winfield Park, raising daughter Reba and working at various office jobs in the area. She was a life member of Hadassah and Deborah. She eventually moved to Cheesequake Village and then in 1999 to California, to be closer to her daughter, where she enjoyed life at the Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living.
She is survived by brother Raymond (and Phyllis) Gilbert of Williamsburg, Virginia, daughter Reba Cohen of Mountain View, California, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by parents Rebecca, Jacob and Mamie Goldberg and brother Abe (and Harriet) Goldberg.
Gifts in her memory may be sent to Abel and Co. Fund, Jewish Family and Children’s Services, San Francisco, CA; Abe and Belle Cohen Fund, Hebrew Free Loan, San Francisco, CA; Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living, Danville, CA; or charity of choice.
Sinai Memorial Chapel
(650) 369-3636
Miriam (Midge) Feldstein
1916-2015
Family, friends and community mourn the loss of Midge Feldstein, but share fond memories of her love of family, vitality, spunk and warm smile. She passed away peacefully on March 20, 2015, at age 98.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, to Ukrainian immigrants, Midge had four siblings with whom she always remained close. She married Sam Feldstein in 1940 and lived with him in Providence, where she worked as an assistant to Rhode Island’s governor. Midge and Sam moved to Modesto, California, in 1944, where they joined a nascent Jewish community, helped found a synagogue and had their two children. In 1948, they moved to the Bay Area where Sam, with Midge’s support, started his successful food brokerage and sales agency businesses.
Midge and Sam raised their family in San Mateo and became deeply involved in the community, including as founding members of Temple Beth El. Midge created and put on puppet shows for disadvantaged and disabled youth and Beth El’s Purim celebrations. She also became Peninsula representative for the Experiment in International Living, arranging homestays for groups of foreign students and organizing trips to foreign countries for area high school student groups.
After Sam’s sudden passing in 1972, Midge became a businesswoman and continued Sam’s business as one of the few female food brokers/sales agents in the country. She married Nathan Lachtman in 1981 and enjoyed a loving relationship and international travel with him until his death in 1984. Midge later served on the San Mateo Grand Jury, was an avid bridge player and continued playing tennis into her 80s.
Midge moved in 2001 to the Forum at Rancho San Antonio in Cupertino to live closer to her children. She chaired the Forum’s Life Enhancement Committee for several years, organized Jewish lifecycle events for its residents, and enjoyed participating in its activities.
Midge is survived by her children Steven (Darlene) Feldstein and Nancy (Stephen) Fernbach, grandchildren Jolie (Hylton) Kalvaria, Ali Fernbach, Sonia Feldstein and Emily Feldstein, and two great-grandchildren Lyla and Mia Kalvaria. She always doted on her family and was a significant part of their lives to the end of her life.
Donations in her memory may be made to Congregation Beth Am.
Sinai Memorial Chapel
(415) 921-3636
Ernest Rosenthal
At his home in Daly City, March 26, 2015. Age 92 years.
Beloved husband of the late Margie Rosenthal, loving father of Rudy and Judy Rosenthal. A Holocaust survivor from Germany to Shanghai.
A longtime pastry chef, well known for his challah.
Graveside services were held at Eternal Home Cemetery, Colma. Contributions to Congregation Ner Tamid or Sinai Memorial Chapel, Chevra Kadisha.
Sinai Memorial Chapel
(415) 921-3636