Elaine Stavitsky RatnerBeloved mother, sister, grandmother, and great grandmother
Ms. Elaine Ratner, of Union, N. J. passed away on Tuesday, June 3, 2014.
The funeral was conducted at Menorah Chapels at Millburn, 2950 Vauxhall Rd., Union, N.J. on Friday, June 6, 2014 Interment followed at B’nai Abraham Memorial Park, Union, N. J.
Ms. Ratner was an exceptional woman, who dedicated her life to community service. She served as president of the B’nai B’rith for over 50 years, was a former PTA president, volunteered at the Newark Public Library, Jewish War Veterans, Kessler Rehabilitation Institute, Jewish Family Service, United Jewish Appeal, American Cancer Society, and served as a Mayor’s Aid in Union.
Elaine is survived by her loving partner of 40 years, Jack Cohen. She was the beloved mother of Howard Marc Guttman and his wife Jacqueline, Karen Guttman Kurtz and her husband Martin, and Steven Jay Guttman. She was the loving grandmother of Michelle Sheldon, Chuck Jugans, Melissa Kerry Guttman, Brian Edward Kurtz, Lauren May Kurtz, Dylan James Guttman and great grandmother of Keely Jacqueline Jugans. She leaves two brothers, Dr. Burton Stavitsky, of Florida and Dr. Abraham Stavitsky of Montclair, N. J., and the late Michael Stavitsky.
Elaine was born in Newark, N.J. and moved to Union in 1965, where she lived for the rest of her life. She had an adventurous spirit and loved to travel, play the piano, and enjoyed many sports and activities including, table tennis, competitive power walking, dancing, and fitness training. She was able to create long lasting relationships with people from all over the world. She believed in living life to the fullest.
For many years she worked as the office manager for the Manhattan Welding Company in Hillside, N. J. retiring in 1993.
For those who desire, memorial donations can be made in her name to B’nai B’rith International (www.bnaibrith.org) and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.pancan.org)