Shirley Orlansky

1931 - 2018

Shirley Orlansky

Madison - Shirley Ettinger Orlansky, "Mena" to her adoring grandchildren and great-grandchildren, passed away at her home Sunday, September 16 , 2018, at the end of her courageous battle with leukemia. She was born to William and Jeanette Vovk Ettinger September 1, 1931 in Beaumont, Texas, and raised in Alexandria, Louisiana. She attended LSU, where she met Mississippi Delta native David Orlansky. They were married May 27, 1954 and, following completion of David's military service and a brief period in David's hometown of Drew, settled in Greenville, where they lived for 54 years until moving to Madison in 2008.

Shirley was devoted to her family, her faith and her community. She was a member of both Hebrew Union Congregation in Greenville and Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson. In Greenville, she served as Sisterhood president and advisor to the Temple Youth Group, and was active in the Junior Women's Club and the Coterie Club. She was on the boards of the Henry S. Jacobs Camp, the Jewish Children's Regional Service and Mississippi Public Broadcasting. Following her move to the Jackson area, she participated in the Sisterhood's Caring Committee, helped select films for the Jewish Film Festival and delivered Meals on Wheels.

Three generations of Orlansky and Posner children were delighted by "Mena cookies," which to the untrained eye appeared to be standard issue chocolate chip cookies, but whose sweetness was magically enhanced by the infusion of Mena's love. Her wise and comforting advice was valued by her husband, her children, their spouses, her grandchildren and her many friends. Her thoughtful notes and words of encouragement were a source of support to many in their times of need.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents, William and Jeanette Ettinger, and by her brother, Dr. Marvin Ettinger. Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 64 years, retired U.S. Magistrate Judge J. David Orlansky; children Steve and Beth Orlansky of Jackson, Larry and Naomi Orlansky of New Orleans, and Linda and Dr. Mark Posner of Baton Rouge; grandchildren Abram and Hannah Orlansky, Jonny and Dr. Jessica (Reeves) Orlansky, Benji and Emily Orlansky, Shana Orlansky, Adam Orlansky, Joshua Posner, Aaron Posner and Rachel Posner; and five great-grandchildren.

The family is deeply grateful to Dr. Vincent Herrin and the staff at the UMMC Hematology Clinic for their compassionate care of Shirley during her illness.

A funeral service will be held at Beth Israel Congregation, 5315 Old Canton Road, in Jackson on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 10:30 a.m., with visitation at the synagogue starting at 9:00 a.m. Burial at Beth Israel Cemetery will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, Shirley asked that memorials to the following be considered: Jewish Children's Regional Service, Henry S. Jacobs Camp and the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life.