Obituaries are supported by a generous grant from Sinai Memorial Chapel.
Howard Allen Bloom
Aug. 6, 1933–Nov. 8, 2024
Howard Allen Bloom, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on Nov. 8, 2024. Born in St. Paul, MN, on Aug. 6, 1933, to Nina and Alex Bloom, Howard spent his early years in St. Paul, MN before the family moved to Los Angeles in 1945. Howard graduated from UC Berkeley in 1955. While there he was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity, forming many lifelong friendships.
Howard attended the School of Dental Medicine at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. After graduating in 1961, Howard served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy Dental Corps. He met Joan Ruby in San Francisco on a blind date on Valentine’s Day 1962 and they married on June 30, 1962, just before Howard’s year-long deployment to the South Pacific on the USS Markab. In 1972, he co-founded the Serramonte Dental Group, a general dentistry practice, where he worked until 1982. He then served as a Clinic Director and Assistant Clinical Professor at the UCSF School of Dentistry until his retirement in 1995. After retiring, Howard stayed active as a consultant with the California Dental Service and with a private firm evaluating group practices until 2016.
A true California Golden Bears fan, Howard never missed a game in 50+ years, and since 1959 was always hoping for Cal to return to the Rose Bowl – Go Bears! He also followed the Oakland A’s, loved active travel, and enjoyed spending time with his friends and family.
Howard is survived by Joan, his loving wife of 62 years; his daughters, Amy Bloom Lieberman (David) and Nena Bloom (Egbert Schwartz); his sister, Shirley Dreiman; his brother, Mervyn Bloom; and his five grandchildren: Alexander, Avery, and Sam Lieberman, and Ari and Will Schwartz. He was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Shapiro. Howard’s legacy of kindness, dedication, friendship and love will be remembered by all who knew him.
A memorial service was held at Congregation Rodef Sholom on Nov. 12. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alameda County Community Food Bank.
Michelle “Micki” Cooley
1934-2024
Michelle “Micki” Cooley, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, died peacefully of heart failure on Nov. 4, 2024. She was 90 years old.
Micki was widely admired for her kindness, compassion, and love of adventure. Known for her deep care and consideration for everyone she met, Micki was a cherished presence in every community she joined.
Born in 1934 in Tarentum, PA, Micki’s life journey took her across the country and through many chapters. After World War II, she moved with her family to Santa Monica, CA, and graduated from high school in 1952. She began her college years at UC Santa Barbara before transferring to UC Berkeley, where she met and fell in love with J. Paul Spector. They married in June 1954 and soon welcomed their son, Greg, in 1955, followed by their daughter, Rachel, in 1959.
Though her marriage to J. Paul ended in 1968, Micki found love again in 1970 with Bob Cooley, with whom she shared some of her happiest years. Together, they attended and graduated from Antioch College/West to become marriage and family therapists. They embarked on explorations, including cross-country trips in a VW van, and traveled to Mexico, England, Greece, and Israel. She also worked as a cook aboard US Geological Survey ships, a job that stoked her spirit of curiosity and thirst for new experiences.
From Culver City to Camarillo to San Francisco, Micki and Bob eventually moved to Ashland, OR, where they became trusted counselors until his sudden passing in 1981.
Following Bob’s death, Micki’s work took her to Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Grants Pass, OR. During this time, she held administrator and director roles at Head Start, Stephen S. Wise Temple, the San Francisco Jewish Community Center, Peninsula Temple Beth El, and Josephine County Mental Health, providing compassionate care and early childhood education until her retirement in 2004.
Micki returned to California to spend her later years at Stephenson House in Palo Alto and ultimately at San Carlos Elms, where she made lasting friendships and brought playfulness, lightheartedness, and fun to community events. Micki loved dressing up and, most recently, was very proud to win the Halloween costume contest at The Elms. From Wii Bowling and chair exercises to holiday parties and Saturday mahjong, nothing made her happier than her time with fellow residents.
Micki’s love for music was woven throughout her life. She had a beautiful soprano voice and enjoyed singing in choirs. She particularly cherished Jewish liturgical music — a passion passed down from her father to her and her older brothers, Phil and Bob Silverman, who predeceased her. She played and taught guitar to many, sharing the joy of music with friends and family.
She was a proud and devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who never forgot a birthday or holiday, often with musical greeting cards that the children collected and cherish. And every year, Micki’s many nieces and nephews eagerly awaited her homemade strudel, a treasured family recipe she learned from her grandmother and lovingly prepared each holiday season.
Micki’s interests and passions were as diverse as they were deep. She had an abiding love for animals, a keen dedication to her Jewish faith, and a fierce loyalty to the Golden State Warriors. An enduring Democrat and close follower of politics, Micki volunteered at the polls and dedicated countless hours to encouraging voter participation, sending thousands of postcards in every election cycle since 2018.
Micki died surrounded by her family and adoring boyfriend, Bart Keavney. She is survived by her children, Greg (Ellen) Spector of Redwood City, CA, and Rachel Spector (Margot Canaday) of Takoma Park, MD; her grandsons, Max Spector (Allison) of Portland, OR, Bennett Spector (Lauren) of Portola Valley, CA, and Grant Spector (Brooke Ekdahl) of Sausalito, CA; and her great-grandchildren, Felix, Camila, Everett, and Sasha.
Micki’s warmth, generosity, and infectious love of life will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
In honor of her legacy, contributions may be made to local animal shelters, mental health organizations, or a charity of one’s choice.
Alfred (Alfee) Gross
June 1, 1923–Nov. 20, 2024
One of the greats of the Greatest Generation, Alfred (Alfee) Gross passed away at the age of 101 on Nov. 20 in Walnut Creek, California. His positive outlook, quick wit, constant gratitude for the life he lived, and deep patriotism made him an inspiration in life and death, much loved by family and friends everywhere.
Alfee was born in Oakland, the baby of six children. He began his entrepreneurial career selling Liberty Magazines for a nickel in front of the Fox Theater at just 5 years old. He was a yell leader at Oakland High and played on the under-130 lb. men’s basketball team at Cal. The love of his life was Mary Lou Ferer, with whom he shared 68 happy years of marriage and a passion for family, travel, art and bridge.
Always the first one awake at his fraternity at Cal, Alfee heard the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor early in the morning on Dec. 7, 1941, and, along with his friends, rushed to the nearest enlistment center to defend his country. After finishing his degree, Alfee served as an officer in the U.S. Navy in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, escorting naval ships, searching for enemy submarines, and liberating POW camps.
Alfee and Mary had three children, Benton (Mary Jane), Goldee (Charles), and Sandy (Paula). Together with his brother-in-law, Erwin Ferer, and later with his son, Sandy, he ran AFCO Electronics. Alfee was a born salesman who built deep relationships that lasted for decades and befriended customers and suppliers around the world.
Alfee was a lifelong Oakland A’s fan, an avid tennis player (on the courts until age 91), and a life master bridge player, hosting six games a week at his home up until his final days.
In addition to his children, Alfee is lovingly survived by his grandchildren, Charlie (Kari), Lanny (William), Kelly (Chris), Abe (Abby), and Marlee (Scott), as well as by his great-grandchildren, Blake, Asher, and Eliana.
Please remember Alfee’s optimistic spirit and zest for living with a donation to City of Hope, an organization he has supported for the past 70 years.
Florence B. Helzel
July 28, 1921–Nov. 4, 2024
Florence B. Helzel, cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many, passed away peacefully at 103 years of age at her home in Oakland on Nov. 4, 2024. Florence’s optimistic spirit and mantra “follow your passions” guided her life and good deeds.
Florence was born in Oakland on July 28, 1921, to parents Benjamin Borsuk and Annie Nager Borsuk; she had two older siblings, Sidney and Ruth. Her father immigrated from Timkovitz, a shtetl in Russia south of Minsk, and her mother from Bacau, Romania. Her father came to America about 1905 and settled in the Bay Area in anticipation of opportunities that the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition would bring. He and her mother became grocers, first in Alameda and then in Oakland, where Florence went to Oakland High School. In 1939 she entered UC Berkeley as a freshman, but World War II interrupted her studies. She contributed to the war effort by working for the Office of Civil Defense in San Francisco and the Office of Flight Control Command at the Oakland Airport.
After the war, Florence was introduced to Leo Helzel, a young accountant, and four months later they were married. Together they forged a partnership that would last for 73 years until Leo passed away in 2019. An active volunteer at the Oak Knoll Naval Hospital and at various Jewish organizations in the 1950s, Florence also took French lessons and classes at Cal Extension. In the mid-1960s she was in the first art-docent class at the new Oakland Museum of California and served over the years on the boards of the Oakland Symphony, Achenbach Graphic Arts Council, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, and the Judah L. Magnes Museum.
In her early 50s Florence returned to college, receiving her bachelor’s in art history at Mills College and her master’s in art research and curatorial studies at John F. Kennedy University. Florence’s great-granddaughter recently asked her about resuming college as a mature adult: “Were you afraid you wouldn’t fit in?” She replied, “You can’t let what other people think of you stop you from achieving your dreams. Never give up, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
With her degrees in hand, Florence began working at the Judah L. Magnes Museum in Berkeley, serving as curator of prints and drawings until the age of 81. She curated several pathbreaking exhibitions with accompanying catalogs and acquired numerous works of art on paper for the museum. Her colleagues describe her as a smart, determined, kind, and loving mentor.
In 1954, Florence accompanied Leo on a business trip to Paris, which ignited her passion for travel, art, fashion, and continued education. She and Leo subsequently traveled the world together. Among her most treasured trips were a visit in 1959 to Israel, ten weeks in Japan in 1967 when Leo was on a research trip for the UC Berkeley Business School, and a visit in 1980 to China as part of a Bay Area cultural delegation. Florence especially loved their annual European hiking trips, enjoyed the San Francisco Symphony and museum visits, took pleasure in weekly hikes in Redwood Regional Park, and adored their second home and friends in Palm Springs.
Always mindful of being a first-generation American and of the opportunities afforded her and her family, Florence was committed to giving back. She believed strongly that education is key to building a successful life, and the family foundation she and Leo created has supported numerous Bay Area educational and cultural institutions and the individuals they serve.
In recent years, Florence stayed active with her four-generation family, was an avid reader, especially of biographies and memoirs of trailblazing women, and a consumer of current events and politics. As she put it, “You have to keep up, to be contemporary!” Elegantly attired in her signature scarves, she enjoyed her regular reunions, in person or via Zoom, with her former Magnes colleagues and her walking group.
Florence is survived by her two children and their spouses, Larry Helzel (Rebekah) and Deborah Kirshman (David); grandchildren Rachel Concannon (Jason) and Daniel Kirshman (Jennifer); great-grandchildren Riley and Jacob Concannon and Sienna and Skylar Kirshman; and several other family members with whom she maintained close relationships. The family would like to thank Florence’s devoted caregivers, Betty Irving and Tashi Gurund. A private service has been held. Contributions in Florence’s memory can be made to the Magnes Collection of Art and Life, UC Berkeley, 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA 94720-6300; magnes.berkeley.edu.
Jerrold M. Kaplan
Nov. 17, 1938–Nov. 16, 2024
Dr. Jerrold Marvin Kaplan of Mountain View, California, died peacefully on Nov. 16, 2024, at home, one day shy of his 86th birthday. A kind and generous husband, father, and grandpa, he is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Carolyn (Sissy), his sons David and Brian, his son-in-law Daniel, daughter-in-law Stephanie and grandchildren – Sam (wife Hannah), Josh, Max and Madeline.
Dr. Kaplan was born Nov. 17, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois, to Meyer and Edith Kaplan. He graduated from Sullivan High School in Chicago (1955), the University of Illinois-Champaign (1959), and the University of Illinois School of Medicine (1963). Following graduation, he enlisted in the US Army as a Captain and performed his medical internship and residency (Internal Medicine) at Letterman General Hospital on the Presidio in San Francisco. Dr. Kaplan was promoted to Major in 1966, before transferring to Heidelberg, Germany, and serving as Chief of Staff for the 130th Station Hospital. Upon his honorable discharge from the military in 1970, he relocated to California for a cardiology fellowship at Cedars of Lebanon in Los Angeles, before settling in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1971 to begin his career in private practice in Internal Medicine/Cardiology. He joined a group of physicians in San Bruno, and joined the staff at Mills-Peninsula Hospital in Burlingame. He remained on the active staff at Mills-Peninsula Hospital for 52 years. He also volunteered his time and expertise at Samaritan House in San Mateo, seeing patients in the underserved community.
Jerry met his wife Carolyn (Sissy) in the Summer of 1959 in Eagle River, Wisconsin, having been introduced by her brother. They married in Chicago in 1962 and shortly thereafter relocated to San Francisco following Jerrold’s graduation from medical school. The birth of their two sons followed, and military service led the family to Germany before they settled in Hillsborough, California, where they remained for the next four decades. More recently, Dr. Kaplan and Sissy made their home in Mountain View.
Jerry enjoyed traveling with his wife, family members, and friends, visiting more than 60 countries on six continents – from New Zealand to Argentina, from the Galapagos Islands to the plains of Kenya and Tanzania, from the battlefield at Normandy to the Great Wall of China.
In the end, the essence of this fine, smart, kind man was his steadfast devotion to his family who were blessed to love him and be loved by him, and to his many, many patients, who were fortunate to call him their doctor.
Additional family survivors include Jerrold’s brothers Ronald (Adriane) and Burton (Janet) Kaplan.
George King
Sept. 13, 1930–Nov. 22, 2024
George King, lifelong resident of Oakland, California, died after a short hospital stay on Nov. 22, 2024, at the age of 94.
George is survived by his wife Janet (nee Heskin), his daughter Susan Yakubek (Christopher), his grandchildren, Elijah, Aidan and Ezra, great-grandchildren, Daniel and Kairi, sister-in-law Rosalind (Babe) King, brother-in-law Allan Heskin (Mary Kelly), daughter-in-law Simone King, as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Daniel, brother Bernard and sister Goldie Steinberg.
While attending school at Oakland Tech and then Oakland High School, George worked at his family’s furniture store at 8th and Clay in downtown Oakland, continuing to work after graduation. He credited “The Store” with teaching him his ability to understand all types of people, as well as the basis for his exceptional business acumen.
In 1948, he went to study at the College of the Pacific before serving in the Marines during the Korean War. He was especially proud of his time in the Marines, as he didn’t go through boot camp to become one. Following his service, George attended UC Law San Francisco (Hastings) on the GI bill, passing the bar in 1958. He started his law practice as a sole practitioner, but later went on to build multiple Oakland law firms with a variety of law partners, including his son Daniel, and ultimately established the law firm King, King and Zatkin with his partner Michael Zatkin. He loved practicing law and did so virtually til the day he died.
As a lawyer, he would talk to anyone and advise anyone. He was brilliant at bringing adversarial parties together, and there are many stories of him making friends with opposing clients and attorneys after the legal issues were resolved.
George was married to Janet for nearly 69 years. They had an extraordinarily close relationship both working and “playing” together nearly every day of their lives, eating out nightly and traveling the world.
George was known for his quiet generosity, his unquestionable integrity and honor. He loved his family, his many lifelong friends and practicing law.
He will be dearly missed.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Jewish Community and Federation Endowment Fund, Jewish Family and Community Services of the East Bay or a charity of your choice.
Sinai Memorial
(415) 921-3636
Miriam “Mimi” Lavenda Latt
Miriam “Mimi” Lavenda Latt, devoted wife and loving mother, grandmother, aunt and sister, has passed away peacefully at the age of 84 surrounded by loved ones.
Mimi was a successful trial attorney before turning her passion toward writing. Her novels appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list and garnered her international acclaim. Not one to rest on her laurels, Mimi became an incredibly accomplished painter as well.
Known for her infectious laughter and wicked sense of humor, Mimi was truly a blessing to all who knew her.
Lovingly married to her soulmate Arron Latt for 61 years, Mimi was a loving mother to her daughters, Carrie and Andi, and a steadfast companion to her husband. She is survived by Arron, her daughter Andi and her grandchildren Spencer, Haley and Bella.
Funeral services were held on Nov. 22 at Mount Sinai Memorial Park and Mortuaries in Los Angeles.
Myrna “Mitzi” Novinsky
Sept. 23, 1933–Nov. 11, 2024
Myrna “Mitzi” Novinsky, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully at home on Nov. 11, 2024, surrounded by family and her loving caretaker, Ron. Mitzi was born on Sept. 23, 1933 in Los Angeles, California, to Jennie and Abe Berlin. She graduated from California State University, Los Angeles, with a teaching degree. She later became a Vice Principal at Belle Air School in the San Bruno School District. After her teaching career, she joined the Labor Relations Management Team at Pacific Bell. In her later years, she returned to the teaching profession as a supervisor of student teachers at St. Mary’s College and the University of San Francisco. Mitzi had a tremendous work ethic, working into her early 80s.
Mitzi was known for her effervescent personality and loved to entertain at her home in San Mateo Park. Mitzi loved opening her home to anyone that needed a safe place to land, a delicious Passover seder, or just someone to listen and share some motherly advice. In her younger years, she was often spotted on Burlingame Avenue, shopping for the latest fashion and makeup trends. As she grew older and spent more time at home, she kept up with the latest styles, with her TV constantly tuned to QVC and their phone number on speed dial.
Mitzi and her husband, Herman, were married for over 50 years. They enjoyed traveling all over the world and spending time with their three girls and six grandchildren. They especially cherished spending summers in Lake Tahoe, where family and friends made many life-long memories.
From the time she was in college, and through her golden years, Mitzi was always the life of the party. She loved making those around her smile. We will truly miss Mitzi’s funny comments and infectious laugh!
In the later stages of Mitzi’s life, she wasn’t able to get out as much as she would have liked. During those years she was cared for by her wonderful caretaker, Ron Nuqui. Ron gave Mitzi his love, devotion and friendship, which so enriched both their lives.
Mitzi is survived by daughters Dr. Laurie Novinsky, Lisa Jaffe (Dr. Marc Jaffe) and Andrea Falk (Dr. Joel Falk), and grandchildren Josh Gilbert, Daniel Gilbert (Shelby Gilbert), Alex Jaffe, Adam Jaffe, Jason Falk, and Rachel Falk.
A touching graveside service was held at Skylawn Memorial Park,with Rabbi Daniel Feder officiating. He was joined by Rabbi Julia Berg and Cantor Yonah Kliger. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Belle Air Elementary School, addressed to Sara-Maria Menendez, Principal, 450 3rd Ave., San Bruno, CA 94066, (650) 624-3155.
Beth (Weingarden) Riseman
March 17, 1943–Nov. 9, 2024
Beth was born in Detroit, MI, on St. Patrick’s Day, 1943. She grew up in Detroit, graduating from Mumford High School, followed by the University of Michigan (1964). She worked as an elementary school teacher, raised three children, and completed her MSW at Michigan State University. She practiced social work in Lapeer, MI, until moving to Grand Blanc, MI, in 1995. She moved to Rossmoor in Walnut Creek, CA, in 2014 to be near her children and grandchildren.
Beth met Carl Riseman at a political event in Detroit, and they married in 1965. They loved to travel, socialize, and volunteer together. Both were very involved with Temple Beth El in Flint. Beth had a great sense of adventure, a quirky sense of humor, and was daring in ways that were often delightfully surprising.
Being a mother and grandmother were Beth’s greatest joys in life. She is survived by daughter Rebecca (Nick Schoen), sons James (Kate) and Daniel (Judy Bernstein), and grandchildren Max, Josh, Elliot, Zach, Aya, Zoe, Alexa, and Olivia. She was predeceased by her parents, Leo and Geraldine (Towlen) Weingarden, sister Marcy (Bill) Dickieson, and husband Carl. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, the Alzheimer’s Association, or the Anti-Defamation League.