Marian Navran Grossman, 93, a lifelong resident of Kansas City, Mo., passed away peacefully on Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, at Menorah Medical Center, comforted by her beloved family.
“Midge,” as she was affectionately called by her friends, relatives, and the Brookside merchants, was known for her signature style, her feisty nature and her endless array of family photos.
Hers was a life well-lived. She and her Jerome, whom she met when they both attended Bryant Elementary School, took immense joy in raising their two “girls” and doting on their six grandchildren, who spent endless hours in Grandpa’s pool behind Grandma’s house. Annual lemonade stands as well as frequent family vacations are memories that she cherished.
Born on Nov. 2, 1919, Marian Rebe was the daughter of Jennie and Harry Navran. After graduating from Southwest High School, she attended the University of Missouri where she was a member of Alpha Epsilon Phi, a sorority for which she later served as national traveling secretary and a features editor for the Alpha Epsilon Phi Columns. She was a member of the Menorah Medical Center Auxiliary, Brandeis University Women, National Council of Jewish Women, The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, and a life member of Oakwood Country Club.
Marian was predeceased by her partner in life and husband of 57 years, Jerome Barnett Grossman; by brothers Ralph Navran and Dick Navran and their wives Rosalie and Fran; sister, Jeane Oppenheim; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Cy and Minna Feld; and nephew, Jimmy Feld.
She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Jean and Bob Zeldin, Overland Park, and Janet and Louis Zwillenberg, Leawood; grandchildren, Ryan (Katie) Zeldin, Jeff (Jennifer) Zwillenberg, Jill (Andrew) Miller, Jonathan (Kelli) Zwillenberg, Jeremy Zwillenberg and his fiancée Melissa Lundquist and Jennifer Zwillenberg; great-grandchildren, Eli Jerome Zeldin, Shya Ray Zeldin, Sophie Leighton Zeldin, Jasper Pierce Zeldin, and Max Barnett Zwillenberg; brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Ellie Navran; brother-in-law, Harold Oppenheim; and brother, Roger Navran. She also enjoyed her role as family matriarch to her many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and her special friendships with Julia Goldblatt and Sarah Zeldin.
Midge’s family wishes to express their deep appreciation to Dr. John Goldberg, Dr. Eddie Herman, Dr. Daniel Scharf and Dr. Greg Peppes for their patient and tender care and to Martha Finney, Jeane Hough, Davis Mack, Dyana McGee, Joy Payne, Carla Paz, Chuck Robinson, Ed Smith, and the many other special people in her “village” who made it possible for her to stay in her home where she was surrounded by so many precious memories.
Wear orange, and remember Midge!
Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 25, at The Louis Memorial Chapel, with burial at Rose Hill Cemetery. Midge’s family suggests donations in her memory to The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah Preschool Fund, 12320 Nall, Overland Park, KS 66209; Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, 5801 W. 115th Street, Suite 106, Overland Park, KS 66211; Jerome and Marian Grossman Fund at the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, 1055 Broadway, Suite 130, Kansas City, MO 64105; or a charity of your choice that will benefit children.
Online condolences may be shared at www.louismemorialchapel.com.
Arr: The Louis Memorial Chapel, 816-361-5211.
