Ethel Richer's Obituary
Ethel Lazarowitz Richer died on January 27, 2016 in Delray Beach, FL. She was born in Brooklyn, NY on November 2, 1924. As an infant, she moved to Newark, NJ where her father bought an interior decorating business. In 1925 her family moved to Irvington, NJ and then moved back to Newark in 1930 after the death of her father.
Ethel began playing the piano at the age of eight at the Leah Seley Music School. Mrs. Richer graduated Southside High School in Newark where she was a member of both the chorus and orchestra. While living in Newark, she worked for the U.S. Office of Dependency Benefits, as a bookkeeper for Blue Cross and Blue Shield and at the Hickory Grill Restaurant. She later took classes at Union College in Cranford, NJ.
In 1944, Ethel met Harvey H Richer and went to work as a bookkeeper during the summers in the Richer Hotel in Sharon Springs, NY. They were married in 1945 and lived in Newark until 1951.
A daughter, Jean-Ellen, was born in 1950. The family moved to Perth Amboy, NJ in 1951. A son, Alan B. Richer, was born in 1954.
In 1957, the family moved to Clark, NJ. Mrs. Richer was one of the founders of Temple Beth O’ in Clark and served as the third President of its Sisterhood. She was very active in Bingo to raise funds and served as President of B’nai B’rith Women Tov Chapter for three years and was the recipient of the Presidential Award for both B’nai B’rith and B’nai B’rith Women. She served as Liaison for the Conservative Congregations Sisterhood Treasurers Association (comprised of Sisterhoods located between Union and Tom River, NJ.)
In 1972, she was elected Union County, NJ Committeewoman.
Ethel and Harvey moved to Delray Beach, FL in May 1985. She served as Co-President of ORT, for which she worked on their card parties, fashion shows and co-chaired their programs. Her husband died on September 7, 1997 after almost 52 years of marriage. She then reunited with her high school classmate, Mark Rosen who became her long-time companion.
Throughout her life, she was always helping others and was known as “A Friend to All.”
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ida Yudick Lazarowitz and Hyman Lazarowitz as well as her twin sisters Laura Katz and Shirley (Frank) Goodman. She is survived by her children Jean-Ellen (Sandy Wasserman) King and Alan B. (Jessica) Richer , three grandchildren, Chaya (Jeffrey) Lemkin, Adam (Laura) King and Alexandra Richer as well as five great grandchildren, Jeremey Lemkin, Eliana King, Moshe Lemkin, Alexander King and Risha Lemkin . She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and cousins.
There will be a graveside burial service to be held on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at 12:30 PM at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery in Iselin, NJ.
A memorial service to celebrate Ethel’s life will also be held on Tuesday, February 2, at 10 AM at Beth Israel Memorial Chapel at 11115 Jog Road in Boynton Beach, FL.
Shiva will be observed at the home of Ethel at 730 NW 31st Avenue in Delray Beach, FL, from Tuesday, February 2 until Thursday, February 4, from 3 to 6 PM.
Contributions in her memory may be made to ORT at www.ortamerica.org or 1-800-519-4678 or to any cancer foundation of your choice.
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