Obituaries are supported by a generous grant from Sinai Memorial Chapel.
Sherry Elaine Berenstein
October 20, 1942–June 5, 2025
Sherry Elaine Berenstein was born October 20, 1942, in Los Angeles, CA — the first daughter of Rose and Nathan Spindel. Wife to Burt. Mother to Pam (Adam) Barasch and Adam (Laurie) Berenstein. Grandmother to Jenna, Nathan (Parisa), Sam and Isabella. Sister to Judi Levine Coren (z”l) (Harry) and Bobbie Burger (Denny). Sister-in-law to Sid and Joyce Berenstein and Allan Berenstein (z”l). Aunt, cousin and friend to many.
After a brief stint in Washington, DC, Sherry lived in the Richmond District of San Francisco within walking distance of her entire extended family. She graduated from Washington High School in 1960. Sherry continued at City College SF and started a career as an X-ray Technician at Mount Zion Hospital. A blind date set up by her cousin introduced her to Burt Berenstein in January 1963. Sherry and Burt were married in November of 1963. Their 62 years of life together is a marriage we all strive to achieve. It was a love affair for the ages!
Family and friends were always a priority for Sherry. Whether it was school activities in San Carlos, synagogue life in Redwood City and San Mateo, or lunch and shopping with friends, Sherry was always involved and there for those who needed her.
Sherry loved to travel and was fortunate enough to see the world with Burt, her friends and family. A good book, a movie, a walk with her beloved dog Ivy or dinner with family and friends were also high on her list. Sherry never said no to a piece of chocolate, a cappuccino or a glass of wine.
Sherry’s greatest joy of all was being Bubbu to her four grandchildren. They were blessed to have her in their lives until they grew up. Their lives will always be that much better because she was part of it for them!
The family wishes to thank the loving care that everyone provided during these last 5 years. While you all never got to know the real Sherry, we know that she loved you all, and the whole family appreciated what you did for her in these last years of her life. Thank you to First Light Senior Care, Active In-Home Care, Sutter at Home Hospice and the Hummingbird Project (Sage Eldercare) for enriching Sherry’s last act! A special thank you to Vangie, Lin, Debbie, Aidee, Kathy, Megan, Rowena, Kari, Nancy, Stepanie, Annette and Kenyetta — Our lives are forever changed by you becoming a part of “Team Sherry.”
A memorial service was held at Peninsula Temple Beth El on June 9. Donations can be made to The Hummingbird Project (Sage Eldercare), P.O. Box 1234, Millbrae, CA 94030, The Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047; and Peninsula Temple Beth El, 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo, CA 94403.
Sinai Memorial Chapel
(415) 921-3636
Marjorie Heumann (née Zimet)
January 12, 1930–June 4, 2025
Marjorie (Midge) Heumann, a devoted mother, accomplished social worker, and talented pianist, passed away peacefully on June 4, 2025, at the age of 95. She was the last of her generation — a steadfast presence whose warmth, intellect, and quiet strength touched many lives.
Born on January 12, 1930, in San Francisco to Rose and Harry Zimet, Midge grew up in The City and graduated from George Washington High School. She began her college education at UC Berkeley, leaving after two years to marry Sylvan Heumann, with whom she built a life filled with love, family, and shared pursuits. The two were devoted partners for over six decades until Sylvan’s passing in 2013 — a loss Midge carried with her ever since.
Midge never stopped learning. In the 1960s and ’70s, while raising her children, she returned to her studies through correspondence courses, eventually earning her bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University. She then went on to complete her Master of Social Work at UC Berkeley and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Her career included work with the County of San Mateo and later in private practice, where she brought compassion and insight to those she served.
She was a woman of many talents: an accomplished pianist, an exceptional cook, and an engaged citizen who remained politically active throughout her life. She also supported Sylvan’s wide range of hobbies, including sailing and flying, always encouraging his sense of adventure.
Marjorie is survived by her beloved children: Laurie May (Laurence May), Wendy Heumann, and Greg Heumann (Inés Heumann); her cherished grandchildren: Jessica Gold (Carl Gold), Aaron May (Sara May), and Andrew Heumann (Paul Brown); and four adored great-grandchildren: Max Gold, Maya Gold, Zoe May, and Elia May.
She is also fondly remembered by Andrew’s mother, Cathy Reed Kelly, and by Inés’s daughter, Kiona, along with Kiona’s children, Maximillian and Vivienne.
Midge spent the last 11 years at The Peninsula Regent, where she formed wonderful friendships and enjoyed a variety of activities — even bocce ball. Her devoted caregiver, Marjan Ekhterae, provided constant companionship and comfort in her final years, for which her family is deeply grateful. The family also extends their thanks to Sutter Hospice for the care they provided Midge and the support they offered during her final days.
Marjorie’s life was a testament to resilience, lifelong learning, and love for family. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Samaritan House of San Mateo County (samaritanhousesanmateo.org) or a cause of your choosing.
Milton Jacobs
Jan. 25, 1931–May 9, 2025
Milton was born on January 25, 1931, at the height of the Great Depression to working-class parents Ezra and Florence Jacobs. He grew up in the Sunset District in San Francisco. Upon entering kindergarten, he was considered so intelligent that he was immediately promoted to first grade. He attended UC Berkeley for both undergraduate and law school degrees. During this time, he was introduced to the love of his life, Myrna Koblick Jacobs. It truly was love at first sight and they spent 52 beautiful years together.
Milton’s greatest joy was watching his kids compete in athletics. He always encouraged his kids to practice and funded any sort of private athletic tutoring that they desired. A fond memory is him coming to his son Michael’s Little League championship baseball game in 1972, just off the plane from the B’nai B’rith convention in Vancouver, wearing a tan suit and a Stetson cowboy hat … and coaching the team on to victory.
Milton loved communal charity work and served as President of many causes, including B’nai B’rith regional President and International Vice President (which earned him dinner with Jimmy Carter at the White House), Regional President of the Anti-Defamation League, Shaare Zedek Hospital, the American Jewish Committee and Israel Bonds, to name a few, as well as sitting on the board of Peninsula Temple Sholom. He loved his grandchildren and doted over them. He also loved sports and was a huge 49ers fan.
Milton was saddened by the death of many friends and often felt like he was the last man standing. In his final years he suffered from Parkinson’s and dementia and was often visited by dead friends. He was purposely kept unaware of his daughter-in-law Fhani’s death from cancer. After she’d died, he couldn’t understand why she came to visit him when only dead people did this. We all found solace in this story.
Milton is survived by sons Michael Jacobs and Steven Jacobs (Cheryl Jacobs) and grandchildren Daniel Jacobs, Yasmin Jacobs (Shahar Kokoun), great-grandson Lior Kokoun, and by Maya Jacobs and fiancé Liron Cohen. He was preceded in death by wife Myrna Jacobs, son Robert Jacobs and daughter-in-law Fhani Jacobs. Private funeral services were held May 13. Baruch Dayan Emet.
Dolores Jeanne Smith
Dolores (Dotty) Jeanne Smith, 96, of West Bloomfield, died June 7, 2025.
Predeceased by her beloved husband of 76 years, Arthur Smith. She was a special education teacher and Friday night and holiday dinner maven. She is survived by her children, Mindy Smith (Ted Stenhouse) and Fredric Smith (Eileen Katz); grandchildren Jenny Crakes, Alec Ramsay-Smith (Margo Gislain), Hunter Ramsay-Smith and Isaac Smith; and nieces (Barbara) and nephews. Sister of the late Reva Carp, Herman Tartof, and Sara Mitteldorf.
Interment was held at Clover Hill Park Cemetery in Birmingham. Contributions may be made to Yad Ezra, JARC or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.
Loni Wilk
Nov. 29, 1923–May 29, 2025
Loni (née Meyer) died peacefully surrounded by family on May 29, 2025. A loving wife to Hans Wilk, and mother to Steven and wife Lorene and to Ronald and wife Estela. Grandmother to Audrey, Amy, Lindsey, and Jordan, great-grandmother to Dean Wolf Filev, sister/sister-in-law to the late Hermann and Trude Meyer, and aunt to Fred and Harry.
Born in Hamburg on November 29, 1923, Loni recalled life in Germany as a happy and secure time growing up with her brother, Hermann, and her parents and grandparents. Once it began to feel unsafe for the Jewish community in Germany due to the Holocaust, Loni’s family fled to Shanghai, China, where they lived a life of poverty and illness due to their crowded, disease-infested dwelling. There in the Jewish ghetto with her family, Loni became a hair stylist and manicurist to help out financially.
It was her manicurist job that brought her husband, Hans, to her manicure services regularly. They married in Shanghai in 1944, where they lived until 1948, when the two of them, along with Loni’s family, arrived in San Francisco, California. Loni became the proud mother of two sons, Steven in 1950 and Ronald in 1953.
Loni made a beautiful life in S.F. She and her husband shared a busy social life, and a Jewish traditional home life. Unfortunately, Loni had to endure the loss of her husband when she was only 47 years old. It was then that Loni was forced into the work world, and became a bank teller at United California Bank, a job that she kept until her retirement at 65 years old.
Loni was treasurer of the S.F. Shalom Club, and a contributor to Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem. She was also recognized as a Holocaust educator through Jewish Family and Children’s Services. Playing bridge, enjoying classical music, attending the opera, taking walks, and spending time with her family were her passions.
Loni stayed independent and active until she was 94 years old. Her last years were spent with regular visits from her family and friends. Loni will be remembered as a gracious and wise individual. Always elegantly dressed. She continued to show her strength through her more difficult years. Loni‘s legacy lives on in the hearts of her family and all who were fortunate to know her.
Donations can be made to the Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem or to the S.F. Holocaust Center.