Obituaries

Jean Kolstein Lieberman was born on Dec. 19, 1929 in Cincinnati, daughter of Harry and Reva Kolstein. She died on March 14, surrounded by family in the days prior to her death. She was preceded in death in 2014 by the love of her life, Bert Lieberman, husband of 63 years, founder of Morris Furniture Company. She is survived by her sister, Elaine Schwartz, of Delray Beach, Fla.; and children, Marilyn Klaben (Larry) of Dayton, Michael Lieberman (Randi Abramson) of Washington, D.C., and Diane Slovin of Cincinnati. Loving grandchildren, Max Klaben (Jenny Gerner), Sara Klaben Avrahami (Amit Avrahami), Jeremy Klaben (Miriam Klaben), Eve Lieberman (Ian Rayder) Hannah Lieberman (Molly Bernard), Yonah Lieberman (Maya Matalon), Aaron Slovin (Rachel Myers Slovin) Matt Slovin (Ann Tobias), Joey Slovin (fiancée Paige Gutter). Great-grandchildren, Benny and Zoey Rayder, Mia and Sofia Klaben, Oren, Ari, and Nessa Klaben, Idan and Matan Avrahami, Olivia Slovin, and Hannah and Molly’s daughter. Jean was a wonderful daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, friend, and teacher. She was a lifelong learner and shared wisdom, life lessons, and stories with her family. Jean supported and researched whatever hobbies, sports, and interests her children and grandchildren gravitated to, continuously sending words of encouragement, box scores, letters, voicemails, and texts to let them know she was thinking of them and cheering them on. Jean attended University of Cincinnati and then received her B.S. in education from the University of Dayton in 1952. She then returned to school and received her master’s degree in reading and literacy from Wright State University in 1975. Jean taught second and third graders at Longfellow Elementary in Dayton and then at Ft. McKinley Elementary. Later, she taught reading literacy to students in the Northmont School District. Her volunteer work included Hadassah, Jewish Family Services, Beth Jacob Congregation, B’nai B’rith, and P.T.A. Jean was artistic and enjoyed treating her children and grandchildren to performances and exhibits. Jean and Bert traveled the world together and returned to share wonderful tales of their adventures. She loved playing and watching tennis and enjoyed providing instruction and competition for her children and grandchildren. Contributions in her memory can be made to Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Cincinnati (foundation.uc.edu/olli), Dayton Literary Peace Prize (daytonliterarypeaceprize.org), and Southern Poverty Law Center (splcenter.org).

To read the complete April 2024 Dayton Jewish Observer, click here. 

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