Lori Weiner Bichel passed away March 19 at the age of 59. The third of four children born to Jeanne Betty and Sid Weiner, of Dayton, she was raised in a household constantly filled with music. By her early 20s, Lori was an accomplished guitarist, pianist, and singer. In the ‘60s, she went to Paris, where she worked as a singer. Later, she was invited to become a DJ on Abie Nathan’s famous Peace Ship, transmitting to Israel and the Arab nations. In 1975 she married Jonathan Fox, with whom she had two children, Alexandra and Nicholas. They lived in San Diego and Dayton before settling in Sarasota in 1981, where she was co-founder and manager of Casa Lupita Restaurant and ran both a catering business and cooking school. As a performer, Lori was known for her powerful singing voice. Apart from professional work, for years she performed in musical benefits with her mother, father, and sister, for organizations in Dayton and along the Florida Gulf Coast. She had a passion for the arts and introduced friends and family to new books, films, art, music of all genres and the recipes she collected over the years. She was beloved for making up endless games and stories for her own children, and her nephews and niece. Lori was married a second time, to David Schwartz of Sarasota, and for the last nine years, she was married to Richard Bichel, with whom she made a home in Orlando. She is survived by her husband, Richard; her mother, Jeanne Betty Weiner of Sarasota; sister, Wendy Bichel of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico; brothers, Tony Weiner of Eureka, Calif. and Randal Weiner of Boulder, Colo.; and her two children, Alexandra Fox of Los Angeles, and Nicholas Fox of New Orleans. She will be deeply missed.

Rafael “Ray” Furst, age 83 of Clayton, passed away unexpectedly after a brief illness on March 23. A longtime resident of the Dayton area, Mr. Furst attended New York University in Manhattan and graduated from the University of Cincinnati where he earned his degree in accounting and became a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Furst served his country proudly as a member of the Army, serving as an occupational soldier in Japan. Mr. Furst spent a very loyal and successful career at the Elder-Beerman stores where he served as senior vice president, secretary, and treasurer and he served on their board along with their subsidiaries. He served on the boards of the National Retail Merchants Association and Council of Retail Merchants. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sarah and Abraham Furst. Mr. Furst is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Arlene; three children, Gary (Jill) of Cincinnati, Steven of Dallas,, Felice Shane (Michael) of Dayton; six grandchildren, Alison and Hope Furst, Lindi, Allison and Jordan Shane and Pamela Abromowitz (Daniel); two great grandchildren, Ellison and Oliver Abromowitz; brothers, Robert (Selma) of Pittsburgh, Pa., Milton (Renee) of San Diego, Calif., along with many nieces, nephews, and his loving friends at Beth Abraham Synagogue. Interment was at Beth Abraham Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Mr. Furst’s memory may be made to Beth Abraham Synagogue or a charity of your choice.

Betty Remick, 88, died peacefully on March 31. She was a beautiful woman who led a beautiful life and had a beautiful marriage. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Russ; and a son, Dr. Ron (Judy) Remick, and three daughters: Carole (Marty) Levine, Kathy (Larry) Lenox, and Sue (Rabbi Joseph) Topek. Mrs. Remick was blessed with 11 grandchildren (nine of whom are married) and nine great-grandchildren (and one on the way). She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law Shirley and Herman Levitt and many nieces and nephews. Interment was at Beth Abraham Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to Beth Abraham Synagogue or a charity of your choice.