The Jewish Observer
News from Middle Tennessee's Jewish Community | Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024
The Jewish Observer

Obituaries May 2024

Condolences to the family of Elaine Rose Kaplan, 87, who died on April 17 in Denver, Colo. Elaine is survived by sister, Francine Kaplan Fisher (Nathan, zl); brother, Julius Kaplan (Robin); niece and nephew, Ari Fisher and Shayna Fisher Friedman (Jordan); and great nephews, Isaiah, Avi and Lev Friedman as well as numerous cousins. 

Elaine was born in Nashville on August 21, 1936, to Abe and Ada Kaplan, zl. Her childhood years were spent in Tullahoma where she graduated from Tullahoma High School. She completed her bachelors degree from the University of Texas at Austin where she was a member of Sigma Delta Tau Sorority. Elaine lived in Dallas, Tex., New York City,Nashville, and Baton Rouge, La., before moving to Denver with Francine in 2019. 

Elaine was a beloved family member and friend and the favorite among all of her cousins. She lit up every room she entered with her gregarious nature. She was always at the ready with a compliment, a cocktail, or a joke. Elaine spent most of her career in the fashion industry working in sales. Clients adored her as much as everybody else who met her, and she enjoyed great success in her field. Fiercely independent, she spent 20 years living on Manhattans East Side where she was at the center of a tight knit community of friends. She was an art collector and a regular at the Met for the opera and ballet. After retiring from sales, Elaine found a passion for early childhood education and worked at the JCC in Nashville and at Beth Shalom Synagogue in Baton Rouge caring for infants. She embodied compassion and generosity of spirit. While in her 60s she made two trips to Eastern Europe to volunteer in orphanages. 

Elaine never knew a stranger, and her greatest talent was her ability to make everybody in her midst feel special. 

Donations in Elaines memory may be made to Denver Jewish Day School (denverjds.org) 

 

Condolences to the family of Esther "Dede" Denbo Lipman who died on April 8. She is survived by her daughter, Marianne Lipman Levinson (Terry); son, Larry Lipman (Betty) and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

 

Condolences to the family of Cheryl Rae Orloff who died at her home in Jupiter, Fla., on the 9th day of Adar II/March 19. 

Born in Baltimore in 1954, she became a Nashvillian at the age of 4. She spent seventh through eleventh grade at Hillwood High School before being…”Forced against her wishesas she would always say, graduating from Bellevue High in 1972. She was a proud Hilltopper. After high school, she earned her bachelor degree in education from the University of Tennessee and spent 31 years teaching middle school students. 

She spent the first part of her career teaching in the Metro Nashville Schools at Head Middle School, John Early Middle School and H.G Hill Middle School. The second half of her career was in Jupiter Florida at Jupiter Middle School.[Text Wrapping Break]Outside of work, she loved to spend time with her dogs and cats, going to the beach, listening to country musicShe was a proud G.R.I.T.S (Girl Raised in the South), and hanging out with family. 

Cheryl Rae is survived by her sister, Karen; brother, Michael; nieces, Rachel, Kelly and Valerie; grandnephews, Jimmie and Rhett; and her Aunt Bernita. 

Donations in Cheryls memory may be made to Akiva School or the Nashville Humane Association. 

 

Condolences to the family of Joyce Vise, 69, who died on April 5. She is survived by her brother, David (Lori) Vise, and her sister, Judy (Mark) Schaengold. 

Joyce was an active member of the Jewish community as well as the Nashville community. Institutions she served included The Temple, the Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, Nashville Family and Childrens Services, the Swan Ball benefiting Cheekwood, and Cumberland University where the library is named for her parents, long time supporters of the university, Doris and Harry Vise. 

Harry Vise came to the United States after escaping from the Holocaust. Both her grandfathers were concentration camp survivors. Settling in Clarksville, Harry began a truly American business, The Texas Boot Company.  

Joyce became a communication and community relations director for the Metropolitan Nashville School District following a career as an MNPS teacher.[Text Wrapping Break]The family asks donations be made toThe Temple. 

 

Condolences to the family of Dr. Lawrence (Larry) K. Wolfe who died on April 14. He is survived by his children, Kevin (Elizabeth) Wolfe and Lynne Wolfe (Dan Powers) and his grandchildren, Katie, Lily and Jake Wolfe. 

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