The Jewish Observer
News from Middle Tennessee's Jewish Community | Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024
The Jewish Observer

Obituaries October

Condolences to the family of Bertram Humble Chalfant, Jr. who died on August 24. He was the father of Anna-Gene O’Neal (Scott) and grandfather of Ayla and Bates O’Neal. Donations may be made in Bertram's memory to Congregation Micah.

Condolences to the family of Marian “Sis” Sternberger Cohen, who died on July 28 at the age of 99. She was preceded in death by her devoted and adoring husband, Paul Samuel Cohn, Jr . Sis was born in Memphis on July 18, 1923 to her late parents Florence Gates Sternberger Marx and Milton Alexander Sternberger, and preceded in death by her brothers and sister-in-laws, Milton Alexander (Peggy) Sternberger Jr. and William Gates (Peggy) Sternberger. She is survived by her son Charles (Elizabeth) Cohn II of Atlanta and daughter Elizabeth Cohn (Larry) Woods of Nashville; grandchildren, Michelle Woods (Sam) Cayford and Dr. Alexander Charles (Bailey) Woods, Michael Shafer Cohn of Atlanta, and Stephen Gates (Dr. Shannon) Cohn of Austin, Texas; and five great granddaughters.Marian attended Memphis Public Schools and Miller Hawkins Business College. She was a member and president of Sigma Theta Pi sorority. Sis was a Red Cross nurse’s aide and worked for Lovick, Miles and Miles, prominent Memphis attorneys, for three years during World War II. She married Ensign Paul Cohn, Jr in June 1944. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2014. After the war they settled in Nashville.

Sis was a Brownie Troop Leader, a Girl Scout Troop Leader and was recognized in 1970 for completing three terms of dedicated service on the Board of Directors of the Cumberland Valley Girl Scout Council. In the late 1950s, she served on the board of the Convalescent Home and 1964-1966, she was president of the Nashville Section of the National Council of Jewish Women. Sis, with several friends, began the “Buz-A-Bus” project which provided transportation for Seniors. In 2012, Sis received the Hannah G. Solomon Award (named for the founder in 1893), in honor of her leadership and devotion to the NCJW. She served on the board of St. Mary’s Villa.

A member of the Temple and for 12 years, she was chair of the Senior Templars and on the Temple Board of Trustees.

In 1962, Sis was the Women’s Golf Champion of Woodmont Country Club and was president of the Nashville Women’s Golf Association in 1973-1974, and again in 1993-1994, and received an “Honorary Life Membership for Exceptional Service.” She was a member of Hillwood Country Club and was chair of the HCC Ladies Golf Association in 1998.

She was a life- member and past president of the Magazine Circle, a 124-year-old book club, and was an avid bridge player.

The family would like to thank Cheryl Phillips for her 30 years of friendship and caring of our mother. Thank you to the wonderful care provided by Cheryl Phillips, Glenda Kernahan, Atu Moala, Derri Breedlove, Nicole Niyindereye, Cutina Ivey, Caregivers by Wholecare, and Alive Hospice.

Donations may be made to Alive Hospice, The Temple or a charity of choice.

Condolences to the family of Marvin P. Friedman who died on September 10 at the age of 96. His parents were Nettie and Eli Friedman.

Marvin graduated from Vanderbilt University, majoring in English literature and philosophy and was an avid reader. He served in World War I as a Navy radar specialist. He was a successful businessman, franchising and building many Holiday Inn hotel properties. As CEO of General Care Corporation he built and developed several nursing homes and hospitals, including West Side Hospital in Nashville.

His accomplishments were great, and he was most loved for the love he gave freely to all his family, including nieces, nephews and cousins. Marvin was a very generous supporter of the ADL and many other charities.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Krupp Friedman, to whom he was married for 20 years. He was predeceased by Barbara Parker Friedman to whom he was married for 46 years. He is also survived by his children: Judith F. Netherton and Susan and David Berck; grandchildren, Josh F. Buchanan, Evan J. Buchanan, Matthew Berck, Lauren Reeves and Courtney Rosenblum; and great grandchildren.

Donations may be made to Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, 1310 L St., N.W., Suite 200, Washington, D.C. 20005 202-466-3234; Trustbridge Care Center of Boca Raton 561-395-5031; or a charity of your choice.

Condolences to the family of Steve Geringer who died on September 7. He was the husband of Linda Geringer; father of Cole Geringer (Miranda); grandfather of Wolff Geringer, Kamila Geringer, Wynne Geringer; and brother of Judy Geringer and Michael Geringer. Donations may be made in Steve's memory to AnCan, Gilda's Club, Alive Hospice or Congregation Micah.

Condolences to the family of Martha Helen Unobskey Goldner who died on August 27. She was born in St Stephen’s, New Brunswick, Canada, and died in Calais, Maine.

Martha loved art, music and saw the world’s problems from a unique view. Her creative perspective brought energy to many organizations, among them National Storytelling Association, Herb Society, Red Cross, Jewish Federation, Adventure Science Center, Women’s Medical Auxiliary, League of Women Voters, Planned Parenthood and Walnut Hill Alumni Association.

The 1988 death from melanoma of her oldest son Arthur inspired her to be active in skin cancer research and education, including founding the Sun Day News, a national newsletter in partnership with the NIH.

She graduated from Wellesley College, received an MSW from Columbia University and at 59 years old, she earned a Master’s in Education from TSU.

Martha was predeceased by her parents Arthur Unobskey and Lillian Rudman; brothers, Sidney and Joseph; her son Arthur Lee Goldner, MD and her husband of 67 years of marriage, Fred Goldner Jr, MD. She is survived by her children, Cynthia, Francie (Michael Niederman) and Fredjoseph (Carmen Porras); and grandchildren, Aaron, Natalie, Hannah, Dorian and Julian.

Donations may be made to Adventure Science Center dedicated to Arthur Lee Goldner Exhibition Hall and WPLN.

Condolences to the family of Robert Charles Levine who died on August 27. He was the husband of Ann Levine; father of Micah Member Mike Levine (Sherrie); grandfather of Jessica Levine, Rachel Levine, Matthew Levine, and Zachary Levine.

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Donations may be made in Robert’s memory to Alive Hospice or Congregation

Condolences to the family of Gitta Stein (Gitta Yeta Bat Natan v’Raisa) who died on September 9.

Gitta was the mother of West End Synagogue member Ira E. Stein. She is survived by her brother Norman Hofferman (Peggy); her children Ethan Kind, Alan Stein (Griselda), Stuart Stein, and Ira Stein (Leslie); her grandchildren Leah Brumley (Todd), Noah Stein (Ashley), Hannah Stein, Talia Stein, and Celia Stein; her great grandchildren Alex Brumley, Ari Stein, and Elliot Stein. She is preceded in death by her husband Herbert Stein.