Jeanette H. Dorfman

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Jeanette Dorfman Obituary

DORFMAN JEANETTE H. DORFMAN On Friday, December 11 of Silver Spring, MD at age 97. Born in Newark, NJ on October 18, 1912 to Louis and Dora (Kasher) Handelman, she is survived by family to whom she has been an incredible role model and inspiration: her brother Stanley (Rose) Handelman of Old Jaffa, Israel; son Ira (Suzanne) Dorfman of Bethesda, MD; daughter Susan (Clayton) Kaufman of Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren Neal Dorfman of Bethesda, MD; Diana Schur of Denver, CO, and Erica (David) Rydzewski of Sudbury, MA; and great- grandchildren Hunter and Julia Rydzewski. She was predeceased by her husband, Norman Dorfman, and her sister, Clara Friedman. Jeanette lived life to the fullest, with remarkable resilience and energy. Married in 1933, she was a union organizer during the turbulent 30''s, and a Wage and Hour inspector for the US Department of Labor during and after World War II. After resuming her college education when her daughter entered college, she graduated from Monmouth College (NJ) in 1960 and became a teacher in the Ocean Township, NJ school system. She completed her Master''s degree in reading at Keane College in 1970, and was a Reading Supervisor in Red Bank, NJ and Learning Consultant in Middletown, NJ. She was honored by the New Jersey State Legislature for her service as a teacher. She traveled the world well into her 80''s, played classical piano from memory into her 90''s, exercised, and lived independently until age 96 at Riderwood Village in Silver Spring, MD where she has resided since 2002. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 14, 1 p.m. at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, 11800 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland, 301-622-2290. Interment follows at Garden of Remembrance Memorial Park, Clarksburg, MD In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine, 100 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, 410/516-6800. Arrangements by Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, Inc. under Jewish Funeral Practices Committee of Greater Washington Contract. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine, 100 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, 410/516-6800. Arrangements by Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, Inc. under Jewish Funeral Practices Committee of Greater Washington Contract.

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Published by The Washington Post on Dec. 13, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Jeanette Dorfman

6 Entries

Pelley Brown

December 8, 2021

When I think about Jeanette, which I do often, I recall her with great fondness. She was a remarkable person who left her mark on my entire family. She was a bright light in this world, and her memory has surely been a blessing.

Herbert Sablove

December 7, 2021

My parents, Sam and Jean, Sablove, were dear friends of Jeanette and Norman, who were both remarkable people. Our families were very close and I was a good friend of Ira's to whom I extend my greetings and warm regards.
I remember Jeanette's warmth, compassion and dedication to important social causes. However, I had no idea how very accomplished she was. She was someone who made a very positive contribution to our world.
I will cherish her memories forever!
Aleha ha sholem!

December 15, 2009

Dear Ira and Susan,

I had sent a prior message on December 14 after hearing the news of Mom's death from Susan, but apparently it was not received. Like Herb, I am deeply saddened to know that Jeanette is gone. I have so many wonderful memories of the times our families were together. But I especially recall what wonderful friends your parents were to my parents, how caring they were to my mother when my father died so suddenly at the young age of 54, and what a good friend Jeanette remained to my mother until her death.

I will cherish the visits I (and Herb) had with her in NJ, the letters and many long talks she and I had. She was not just a dear friend to my parents, but became my friend, as well. She was witty, caring, smart as a whip, intellectually curious, and had a delightful sense of humor. She touched many people throughout the course of her life and left a mark on all who met her.

You were fortunate to have had her for so many years. I know that she adored all of you and always spoke with such pride about each of her children and grandchildren. Her love extended beyond her immediate family to so many of us.

She will be missed deeply, I know, but she will surely be remembered for the very special human being she was. Jeanette was small, but she was a powerful woman who had a large heart. I will always be grateful to have known her.

Steve and I send our deepest sympathy on your loss to all of you,
Pelley and Steve Brown

Herb and Ricki Sablove

December 15, 2009

Dear Ira and Susan,

I am, of course, very saddened by news of your mother's passing, but I am very grateful for having known her. She was such a wonderful woman, not only because of her very considerable intellect, her engagement in civic affairs and her many accomplishments, but because of her warmth and her devotion to family and friends.

There was a sincerity, authenticity and openness about her that made me feel, even as a child, completely at ease and welcomed in her company. When I would come over your home for an overnight visit she(and your father, of course) made me feel as though I was in my own home.

I will cherish Jeannette's memory forever.

Ricki and I both offer our heartfelt condolences to you and your family at this time.

Sandy & Merlin Dorfman

December 13, 2009

We were blessed to have her with us for so long. Our condolences to the family and her many friends; we will all miss her.

Phyllis and David Rubin

December 13, 2009

What a life she led. She was small in stature but almost bigger than life. Yes, certainly a role model. Our love and deepest sympathy to all of you at this time.

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