Obituaries are supported by a generous grant from Sinai Memorial Chapel.
Dorothy Brandstetter
Dorothy Brandstetter (née Dorothy Landau) passed away on Feb. 14, 2024. Dorothy was born in San Francisco into what would become a family of ten children. She married the love of her life, Zachary, straight out of high school, and pursued a career in the beauty business, becoming a master hair stylist and award-winning colorist. In the early ’60s, Dorothy and Zack opened the first mega hair salon on the Peninsula and soon became the largest importer of wigs from Israel in the world.
As the wig craze began to fade, Dorothy’s professional life pivoted, literally from head to toe, where again, together with her husband, she owned, operated and was the principal buyer for a large shoe store on the Peninsula. Her love of the fashion industry was a lifelong passion, and she always seemed completely up to speed with the latest styles and trends.
She later reinvented herself yet again, pursuing a successful career in banking and lending, where her personable demeanor and disarming smile served her well with her managers, coworkers and clients alike.
Dorothy and Zack shared a love of horses, and in the early ’70s, while simultaneously maintaining their city jobs, they owned and operated a horse-boarding ranch in Los Altos Hills, where Dorothy first became a “horse whisperer.” Later, following her retirement from banking and lending, they purchased another horse-boarding ranch in Oakley, where Dorothy devoted much of her time to teaching young kids and teens how to ride and care for horses and imparting her empathetic and trust-building approach to horsemanship.
Dorothy was a fighter, and despite her many health issues later in life, she greeted everyone with a warm and sincere smile, and always found something positive to say to someone upon seeing them. When she asked how you were, it was genuine, and her willingness to listen with an empathetic ear was obvious to all who knew her.
Dorothy was predeceased by her husband, Zachary, in 2001. She is survived by her three children — Jeff Brandstetter (and Barbara Gregoratos), Julianne (and Jeff) Ososke, and Rebecca (and Zev) Clemento; four grandchildren — Alexandra (and Daniel) Bortz, Daniella Wald (and Joshua) Spielman, Jacob (and Katie) Ososke, and Ilana Brandstetter; two great grandchildren — Ari Spielman and Amelia Bortz; and many siblings, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Dorothy was a loving, compassionate, devoted and extraordinarily kind wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother — a true eshet chayil — and it is with great sadness that we announce her passing. She will be sorely missed by her family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched in this world.
If you wish to donate in Dorothy’s memory, please consider either the American Lung Association or the American Cancer Society.
Martha Florence Bittker Leviant
Martha Leviant passed away peacefully in Pleasanton, California, on March 9, 2024, at the age of 96. Martha was born in Detroit, Michigan, and lived in Detroit and Ann Arbor, Michigan, until she moved to Northern California in 1946 and married Norman Leviant on December 30, 1947.
Martha left a wonderful legacy. She is survived by her three children, Ellen Weiss of Redlands, CA, Dana Rudick (Wayne) of Dublin, and Curtis Leviant (Melissa) of Redwood City; six grandchildren — Adam (Kate) Rudick, Brad (Devan) Rudick, Emily (Justin) Swant, Zachary (Britt) Weiss, Erin Leviant, Carly (Mac) Hess; and eight great-grandchildren.
A few years after Norman’s death in 2003, Martha enjoyed the friendship of Al Gilbert, Norman’s childhood friend, who had recently lost his wife. Martha and Al cruised the world and spent time together in both Al’s hometown of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and Martha’s home in Redwood City until Al passed away in 2014.
Martha was the classiest of ladies! She was always fashionably dressed and perfectly put together. Her love of clothing and shopping led to owning Lollipop Lane, a children’s clothing store in downtown San Carlos with her dear friend Josie Maltzer. When Lollipop Lane closed, Martha continued working part time as a saleswoman at Saks Fifth Avenue, Joseph Magnin’s and I. Magnin’s.
Martha was an extraordinarily loving, kind, and beautiful woman. She was devoted to her family and they to her. Martha’s family and friends will cherish the amazing years she graced each of their lives.
A private family service was held on March 15. Donations in Martha’s memory may be made to Congregation Beth Jacob in Redwood City.