Norman Alan Meyer
Oct. 4, 1937 – April 13, 2025
Norman Alan Meyer, 87, passed away on the first day of Passover, April 13, 2025, lovingly surrounded by his siblings and children.
Alan was born on Oct. 4, 1937, in Dallas to Abe and Rose Meyer. He was their firstborn and a second-generation native Dallasite. The Meyer family was rooted in Oak Cliff, which was the hub of their grocery store business, Cliff Food. Alan began working in the store at the age of 4.
Alan graduated from Sunset High School in Oak Cliff. During high school, he joined BBYO and was in Henry Monsky AZA. There, he met the woman who would eventually become his life partner, Audree Jacobs.
After high school, he attended SMU, where he received his business degree in accounting. It was during his college years that he began dating Audree, the love of his life. They married on Jan. 27, 1959, at Congregation Shearith Israel, where they raised their family and were lifelong members.
From 1959 to 1992, Alan was the owner and operator of Cliff Food stores. He was also involved with Affiliated Food Stores, a cooperative serving independent grocery stores. Alan served as secretary and then first vice president on the Affiliated board of directors for 10 years.
At the age of 54, he decided to pursue a second career in the field of commercial real estate. After receiving his license, Alan worked with Golman and Associates, enjoying nearly 25 years in real estate.
From the time the Texas Rangers baseball team was founded, Alan enjoyed watching them play. He loved taking his young children to games in Arlington during the 1970s. When the Rangers won the World Series, he was quite pleased.
Alan also loved poetry, frequently quoting poets and writers such as Robert Frost, Shakespeare and Edgar Allan Poe.
Alan was a tremendously kind, empathetic, hardworking and humble man. He tended to his ill wife with intense devotion and love during her long illness. He was a dedicated and faithful son, brother, husband, father and friend. He had a wonderful demeanor, along with a contagious smile and witty sense of humor. He was loved by all and will be greatly missed.
Alan is survived by his sister, Anita Meyer Tobias; brother, Stuart Meyer (Harriet); and his three children, Ruth Sacks (Michael), Elizabeth Liener (Robert) and Joseph Meyer (Theresa). Alan and Audree also received tremendous joy from their eight grandchildren: Aaron Liener, Jacob Sacks, Benjamin Liener, Adam Sacks (Michelle), Rachel Sacks, Sarah Liener, Chloe Meyer and Zoey Meyer.
Alan was preceded in death by his parents, Abe Meyer and Rose Einhorn Meyer, as well as his wife, Audree Jacobs Meyer. Alan and Audree were married for 64 years.
Graveside services were held April 16, led by Rabbi Avi Mitzner of Congregation Shearith Israel.
To honor Alan’s memory, donations may be made to Congregation Shearith Israel or to the charity of your choice.
Helene Ruth Kurtz Ray
Dec. 31, 1930 – April 24, 2025
Helene Ruth Kurtz Ray (aka Mom, Grandma and Honey), 94, passed away peacefully at her home at The Bonaventure late Thursday night, April 24, 2025. God blessed us by granting her peace and serenity so she may be reunited with her beloved husband, Sylvan, her parents and other precious loved ones.
Helene was born to Faye and Joe Kurtz on Dec. 31, 1930, in Dallas. A New Year’s Eve birthday would be the foretelling of a wonderful, exciting and fulfilling era full of beauty, glamour and sparkle. She liked to say, “Everyone celebrates my birthday.” Helene enjoyed and embraced life as if it were a big party.
Helene grew up and lived her entire life in Dallas, attending North Dallas High School and the University of Texas at Austin. At the tender age of 19, she met the love of her life, Sylvan Ray. They married in 1950 and had three children, whom she adored. She lost her cherished husband, Sylvan, to cancer when he was only 63. Even through this tragedy, she bolstered the courage to be the strong, resilient head of her growing family. Helene found love a second time and was married to Howard Alexander of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
She spent much of her life doting on her children, grandchildren and a fun-loving brood of great-grandchildren. She is survived by her three children: Joel Ray and his wife, Terry; Cindy Ray Yablonsky and her husband, Bruce; and Harry Ray.
Helene was blessed with five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren: Joel’s daughter Brittany Feldman and her husband, Josh, and their daughter, Mara; Joel’s son Colby Ray and his wife, Paige, and their son, Hudson; and Joel’s son Collin Ray; Harry’s son Sylvan Ray, who is engaged to Maddie, and his children, Alana, Morgan, Zachary and Baby Charlie; and Cindy and Bruce’s son Ryan Yablonsky.
In addition to her parents and her husband, Sylvan, Helene was predeceased by her brother, Stanley Kurtz, and her grandson, Preston Ray.
Helene had a wonderful sense of humor, and when she laughed, she meant it. Her charm, grace, humor, beauty and gaming talents made her the classic lady we will always remember with love in our hearts. She lived life large! For many years, one of her favorite activities was Vodka Night with her lifelong girlfriends, of which she had many. She loved to play games and never turned down a trip to Vegas. Her dear friend Adie Steinberg was still driving them both to Winstar Casino in Oklahoma several times a month into their late 80s.
Helene was a life member of Hadassah and a longtime member of the National Council of Jewish Women.
The family requests that donations be made in Helene’s memory to the Southwest Jewish Congress (www.swjc.org), Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas (www.jfsdallas.org), or a charity close to your heart.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at noon Friday, May 2, in the Chapel at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home (7405 W. Northwest Highway, Dallas, Texas 75225), followed by a luncheon in the Lounge in Helene’s honor.
The family will gather and welcome all who would like to join them for a shiva service at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1, in the Venetian Room at The Bonaventure (5200 Keller Springs Road, Dallas, Texas 75248).
Judith Ileane Ferdinand Roffman
April 10, 1937 – April 10, 2025
Judith Ileane Ferdinand Roffman, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter and sister, passed away April 10, 2025. She was 88.
She was a wonderful mother to Shari (Steve) Goldberg, Carin (Dave) Rosinsky and Linda (Todd) Zimmerman; a wonderful grandmother to Brady (Sloane) Goldberg, Reghan Goldberg, Samantha Rosinsky, Sydney Rosinsky, Rylee (Blake) Webb and Zane Zimmerman; and a great-grandmother to Colter Blaine Webb.
Judy was predeceased by her parents, Florence and Louis Ferdinand; sister, Susan Eisner; husband, Dr. Blaine (Buddy) Roffman; and granddaughter, Kayce Lynn Goldberg.
Cantor Joanna Alexander officiated at funeral services April, 24 at Temple Israel Cemetery in Omaha, Nebraska.
Memorial donations are suggested to PJ Library, www.pjlibrary.org, or the charity of your choice.
