Rita Danziger
In San Francisco on March 5, 2012 at the age of 85.
Dearly beloved wife of the late Gerhard “Gary” Danziger for 56 years; devoted mother of Dennis and his late wife Deborah Danziger, and Deborah and her husband David McCabe; adored “Oma” of Rebecca and Jaclyn McCabe; dear cousin of Fred and the late Lore Walker. Also survived by her sister-in-law Irene Danziger and her niece and nephew.
Born in Berlin, Germany in 1926, she was a resident of Shanghai China prior to her residence in San Francisco in 1947. A longtime member of Congregation B’nai Emunah in San Francisco. She was a loyal friend to many.
Gravesite services were held on March 8, 2012, at Salem Memorial Park, Colma. In lieu of flowers, donations to Congregation B’nai Emunah, 3595 Taraval St., S.F., CA 94116 are preferred.
Sinai Memorial Chapel
John Levin
John Levin, born Dec. 22, 1919 in Harbin, Manchuria, passed away on Feb. 10, 2012 in South San Francisco.
Beloved husband, father, uncle and grandfather. Son of the late Boris and Anna; brother to the late Fera; brother-in-law to the late Leo; and husband to his beloved late wife, Aimee.
Survived by his son David; daughter-in-law Ruth, grandchildren Matthew, Marc and Natasha. Also survived by nieces Ruth, Nadine and Sarah and nephews Bill, Dennis, Manuel and Daniel. Additional survivors include in-laws Hal and Dorothy; Judy and Jim. Harry, Geri, Cullen, Thomas, Ryan and Seth and his many longtime friends he met along the way in his 92 years with us.
Additionally survived by his other son Michael Levin.
John was a longtime member of Congregation Sherith Israel, Temple Judea, B’nai B’rith and City of Hope. He volunteered at the Jewish Bulletin (now J.) for many years and will be remembered as a kind and giving person.
Services were held at Home of Peace Cemetery Chapel, Colma on Feb. 21 with burial at Salem Memorial Park.
Memorial donations to the charity of donor’s choice.
Sinai Memorial Chapel
Lillian R. May
Aug. 9, 1918–Feb. 26, 2012
Resident of Hillsborough, California
Lillian died peacefully after suffering from dementia for the last few years. As befitted her, she survived many years after being afflicted, refusing to give in until the last moment possible.
She lost her husband, Bob May Sr., in 1981, many years too early. Her teaching at Borel Middle School in San Mateo motivated her to carry on after his death.
She was an 8th grade English teacher for almost three decades at Borel, where, after her husband died, she continued to inspire, motivate and educate yet another generation of 8th graders as an English teacher. Years after she left Borel (she retired when she was well into her 70s), it was still common for ex-students (from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s) to approach her on the street or in a restaurant. They would recount how she changed their attitude toward school and learning, and inspired them academically, and ultimately professionally.
But Lillian’s quest to leave the world better than she found it began many decades earlier. After graduating from Girls’ High School in San Francisco and then San Francisco State in 1940, she immediately began teaching elementary school in San Francisco.
When she married Bob Sr. in 1944, and shortly thereafter embarked on her new role as parent, she temporarily relinquished her formal role as a paid teacher. While she raised her own two children, she was an inspiration to many nieces and nephews, and taught many of them grammar and reading.
After moving from San Francisco to Hillsborough in 1953, she became heavily involved in the Hillsborough school system. As president of the North Hillsborough School Parent Group from 1955-1956, she was instrumental in the founding of a school fundraiser and car show. That fundraiser, the Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance, is now the longest-running Concours in the world.
As a loving and involved mother, Lillian helped raise her two sons in a fun, stimulating and stable environment. Lillian was always available to help with homework (except for math), and was always there to cheer her boys on, whether in sports or academics. But even at home, education was paramount. She was always involved in her boys’ daily lives, as scoutmaster, room mother or front or backyard supervisor.
When her two children became more independent in the 1960s, she returned to teaching, first as a substitute, then as a full-time teacher in San Mateo.
She is survived by her sons, Robert May Jr. of Foster City and his wife Susan, and Laurence May of Hillsborough and his wife Laurie. Laurence and Laurie are the parents of Jessica May Gold, M.D., and Aaron R. May, both of New York City. Jessica and Aaron were the light and love of Lillian’s last third of her long and fruitful life.
As the family reads all of the communications coming in, as well as the many phone calls, it is clear that Lillian made a substantial impact on an incalculable number of people. She was truly a force of nature. We will miss her.
The family would particularly like to thank all of the great people at Burlingame Manor Care on Escalante in Burlingame (especially Ricky for the last few years). They made Lillian’s remaining days comfortable and secure.
Donations may be made to either the Hillsborough Schools Foundation, 300 El Cerrito Ave., Hillsborough, California (www.hsf.org) or Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center (www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers).
Private burial was held at Home of Peace in Colma. A public memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 11, 2012, at 4 p.m. at Peninsula Temple Beth El, 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo (www.ptbe.org).