Lila Lee Baum Berlin
AUSTIN — Lila Lee Baum Berlin, formerly of Fort Worth, born April 4, 1926, died peacefully in her sleep in her 96th year on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, 2022.
Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Lila was the daughter of Herman and Bess Baum, who had each emigrated from Europe as children. The family moved to Breckenridge, Texas, and then by her high school years, to Fort Worth — which she always considered home, even though she moved to Austin some years ago to be near her grandchildren. Lila attended Paschal High School (class of ‘42) and graduated from the University of Texas (‘46) before returning to Fort Worth, where she ran her father’s business — something not often seen at the time. After a brief marriage to Richard A. Friedland, Lila married Frank S. Berlin, with whom she remained until his death in 2013. While raising their two children, Lila also ran Frank’s wholesale children’s wear business; he spent much time traveling from their Dallas Apparel Mart base. In 1997 they retired and moved to Austin.
For Lila, nothing mattered more than family, and for her and Frank, success was important primarily as a means of providing for family well-being and opportunities. She and Frank went on wonderful vacations with their children and grandchildren, a travel tradition that she continued even as recently as last spring. Her children and grandchildren were fortunate to enjoy one last dinner out on the town with her just a few days before her passing.
She also remained deeply devoted to her parents and her three siblings — Kenneth and Lester Baum and Freda Gail Baum Stern — throughout their lives. The foursome shared close personal relationships and worked together on business investments ranging from real estate to pharmacy management and beyond. Lila cherished attending gatherings or having calls with cousins, nieces and nephews all over the country. She was revered by family and friends as someone of great intelligence, love, generosity and grace.
The Baum siblings also remained devoted to Beth-El Congregation in Fort Worth, even after most of them moved to Dallas or Austin. They funded numerous improvements over the years including, most recently, a beautiful landscaping project just last year. Lila was most proud of the Hall of Remembrance they sponsored, dedicated to their parents.
Lila was truly ahead of her time; her business acumen would typically fly under the radar. Her role running multiple businesses with her husband and siblings often went unrecognized in the outside world, and at home she would often receive calls asking for “the man of the house” (referring to the maker of business decisions) when, in fact, she was usually the one to ask. Unfazed by the crises and tragedies of life, she made decisions with a unique mix of compassion and determination combined with a steady hand.
Lila was preceded in death by her parents; husband Frank, sister, Freda Gail Stern; and brothers, Kenneth and Lester Baum. She is survived by her daughter, Sharon L. Friedland of New York City; son and daughter-in-law, Craig and Lurinda Berlin of Austin; and grandchildren, Kathryn and Kevin Berlin of Austin, along with many cousins, nephews and nieces.
A graveside service was held privately on Jan. 5 in the Beth-El Section in Greenwood Memorial Park, Fort Worth.
The family wishes to express its deepest gratitude to the physicians, nurses and caregivers who provided support and compassion to Lila over the last few years.
Consideration of contributions to Beth-El Congregation, in her memory, is suggested. Care and services were entrusted to E. C. “Trey” Harper III and Robertson Mueller Harper Funerals, Cremations & Life Celebrations.
Barry Finkelstein
Barry Nathan Finkelstein passed away suddenly Monday, Dec. 26, 2022. Barry was born May 11, 1947, in Dallas to Sol Finkelstein and Hannah Abramson Finkelstein. Barry graduated from W.W. Samuell High School in Dallas in 1965. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1969 with a BBA and had been an owner or partner in a CPA firm since 1976. He established his own firm in Dallas in 1980 and moved his practice to Emory, Texas, in 2013. Barry was a former city councilman and mayor pro-tem in Addison.
Barry was predeceased by all of his grandparents, his parents and his brother-in-law, James Massengale. He is survived by his sisters, Susanne Massengale and Anna Bette Newburn (Oscar); nephews, Jason Carlock (Jessica Blash), Joshua Newburn (Rachel) and Jacob Newburn (Jami Jack); a great-nephew, great-niece and many family members and friends.
A graveside funeral was held at Shearith Israel Memorial Park on Dec. 30. The family requests donations be made to the Dallas Hebrew Free Loan Association, 5402 Arapaho Road, Dallas, TX, 75248, or the charity of your choice. Services were entrusted to Stephen B. Blend through Dallas Jewish Funerals.
Ronnie Horowitz
Joseph Ronald (“Ronnie”) Horowitz, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away on Dec. 27, 2022. Born in Jackson, Mississippi, on Jan. 12, 1932, to Bessie (née Katz) and Abraham Pincus Horowitz, he graduated in 1952 from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was an active member of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. The love of his life was Nancy Sue Herman, whom he married in Jackson, Mississippi, on Sept. 30, 1956. Shortly thereafter, Nancy and Ronnie briefly moved to Atlanta, Georgia, followed by Dallas, their home for the ensuing 64 years. His life was defined by, and divided into, four primary passions: family, leadership, sports and entertainment. Ronnie and his dear friend and business partner, Calvin Cooper, founded and successfully operated Southwest Textiles for nearly 20 years prior to selling to Pier 1 Imports. Together with Nancy, Ronnie enjoyed travel and producing Broadway and off-Broadway shows in Las Vegas, New York City and beyond, including “Dream Street,” “Peter Pan” and “Groucho: A Life in Revue,” to name a few. He proudly served as chairman of the board of the Dallas Summer Musicals for many years alongside his dear friend, Tom Hughes. He was also extremely passionate about sports as an agent, athlete and spectator. He served as a sports agent to two NFL players, Rickey Bolden and Michael Carter, and was a mentor and friend to countless others. Ronnie was an avid and accomplished golfer, a regular at the Columbian Club’s golf course and the winner of many awards. Ronnie is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy; his sister-in-law, Shirley Romm Wender of Atlanta, Georgia; and his children: Lynn and Jeff Magid and Larry Horowitz. Called “Papaw” by his five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, he is survived by: Lacey and Brent Gardner along with their children, Cole, Levi, Sloan and Liv; Karis Gardner; Zoe and A.J. Magid along with their children, Nate, Madi, Daphne and Harry; Kelsey and David Marcus along with their daughter, Margot; and Kirby Magid. Ronnie is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Ronnie was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Bess and Abe Horowitz; brother, Jay Ben Horowitz; and daughter, Helen Horowitz Gardner. Ronnie knew no strangers and will forever be remembered for his jovial personality, kindness, generosity and most of all, his unforgettable sense of humor. Funeral services for Ronnie were held on Dec. 30 at the Chapel at Temple Emanu-El Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi David Stern; interment followed. Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers included Gary Gardner, Brent Gardner, Jeff Magid, A.J. Magid, Larry Horowitz, Gary Horowitz, Mike Horowitz, Roger Staubach and Lester Melnick. Donations in Ronnie’s memory would be appreciated at the following charities: Be the Difference Foundation, Akiba Yavneh Academy or the SPCA.
Andrew (Andy) S. Jacobs
Andrew Jacobs, beloved brother, uncle, great-uncle, cousin and friend, passed away suddenly on Dec. 24, 2022. Born Feb.17, 1959, in Dallas, Andy was the son of the late Ginger and Michael Jacobs.
Survivors include his siblings Mark E. Jacobs, Deborah Linksman and Reuben Jacobs (Scott Jones); nieces Rivka Altman (Brad), Leeza Sanderson (Joe), Sarah Verchow (Jeff) and Aviva Austein (Gabe); eight grand-nephews and one grand-niece; and many relatives, friends and business associates.
A graveside funeral was held at Shearith Israel Memorial Park on Dec. 29. Contributions can be made to the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum (dhhrm.org), the Dallas Jewish Historical Society (djhs.org), The AIDS Resource Center (www.myresourcecenter.org) or a charity of your choice.
Andy will be greatly missed.
Sarah Reuler
Sarah Zemach Reuler passed away peacefully Jan. 3, 2023, in Plano, only three months shy of her 100th birthday. Sarah was born April 11, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Sarah was full of love, kindness and generosity, and she touched everyone whom she met. Sarah had a special way of making everyone she interacted with feel seen and valued. She truly was the embodiment of a living angel on this earth.
Sarah completed two years at the University of Minnesota when she left her family and moved to Washington, D.C., to work for the U.S. Navy Department during World War II. In 1945, Sarah again chose a life of adventure over conventionality by marrying John Reuler, an Army Air Corps pilot and wartime graduate of the U.S. Military Academy (West Point). They met on a double date at the University of Minnesota before John was admitted to West Point. Sarah’s first years of marriage and motherhood were spent near U.S. military bases, which included a year in war-devastated Germany, where Sarah and John aided Holocaust survivors in the Landsberg displaced persons camp immediately following World War II.
The Hebrew language was a vibrant theme throughout Sarah’s life. As a schoolgirl, she helped her father create tools for teaching Hebrew at the Minneapolis Talmud Torah. Incredibly, as a child, Sarah learned to speak Hebrew at a time when Hebrew as a modern spoken language was still a new concept.
In 1952, Sarah and John, with their daughters Sharon and Judy, moved from Minneapolis to Dallas in search of economic opportunity, where John became a custom home builder. Sarah helped John in his business by using her talent in interior design to decorate the newly constructed homes. After raising her daughters, Sarah dedicated more than 20 years to teaching Hebrew at Temple Emanu-El, where she had been a member since 1952.
Aptly nicknamed “Sunny” by schoolmates, Sarah was a warm ray of happy sunshine for the lucky people who knew her. Lucky because Sarah was able to indulge her shyness during 61 years of marriage to wonderfully gregarious John. After John passed away in 2006, Sarah had a mini-renaissance, becoming more sociable and even developing a talent for entertaining others. Having outlived almost everyone she knew, Sarah made new friends at the two retirement communities she called home for 15 years.
In addition to being a reliable source of unconditional love, Sarah had a quick wit and a sharp eye for irony. Her wisdom and her outlook on life were extraordinary. Her innate kindness and generosity were genuine. She loved laughter. She was a joy to know.
Sarah was preceded in death by her husband and by her brothers Abraham Zemach and Mordecai Zemach.
Survivors include daughters Sharon Reuler and Judy Bazarsky (Howard), all of Dallas; grandchildren Debbie Bazarsky of Boston, Massachusetts, Michael Bazarsky of Dallas, Allyson Bazarsky (Tony Blusius); two great-grandchildren, Maggie and Jackson Blusius of Williston, Vermont; and many cherished nieces and nephews.
A graveside service was held at the historic Temple Emanu-El Cemetery Jan. 6, with Rabbi Debra Robbins and Rabbi Elana Zelony co-officiating.
Sarah’s family thanks the wonderful staff and caregivers at The Legacy Willow Bend, where she genuinely enjoyed her last 10 years. Please consider donations to The Legacy GRATEFUL HEARTS fund, which distributes annually to The Legacy’s hard-working team members; Temple Emanu-El; or to the charity of your choice.
