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Obituaries
Submit obituaries to: editor@jewishportland.org

GEREL BLAUER She was born July 6, 1938, to Abe and HENRY OLSHIN
Gerel Blauer, z”l, passed away Feb. 9, Sally Vidgoff. She attended Catlin Gabel Henry Olshin, z”l, passed away peaceful-
2022, at age 91. She was preceded in death Grade School and Lincoln High School. ly Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. Henry is survived
by her husband, Henry, in 2012 after 58 She enrolled at the University of Washing- by his brother, George Olshin; sons, Joshua
years of marriage. The couple raised four ton, but left after one term to go to Eugene and Andrew Olshin; their spouses, Sheryl
daughters, Janis, Shoshana, Shemaya and and the University of Oregon where she Olshin and Rebecca Mischel; and three
Karen. She is also survived by grandchil- could be with a young man she was dating, grandchildren, Emma, Solomon and Ben-
dren, Chikodi Chima, Ejike Chima, Udie Robert “Bob” Mesher. Bob and Robin were jamin Olshin.
Chima, Kelechi David Chima, Evan Miller married in 1958 and raised two children. The youngest
and Sam Miller; and great-grandsons, Teo In 1972, Robin combined her lifelong of three sons,
Chima, Avi Chima and Wallace Chima. love of fashion and savvy business in- Henry was born
Gerel Green stincts and opened her first clothing store Feb. 12, 1933,
was born Jan. as a tee shirt and jeans retailer in Seaside in the Bronx to
30, 1931. She called The Cover Up. She was a pioneer at Rose and Jacob
attended B’nai the time – a woman small business owner – Olshin. He lived
B’rith Camp as a and she absolutely refused to be told that a with vigor in the
child. For most of man had to co-sign for any of her business New York met-
her life, she was contracts. Her retail career lasted until the ropolitan area Henry Olshin with
involved at Con- early 1990s; she owned and operated 11 up- throughout his grandson Solomon.
gregation Beth scale women’s clothing stores in Portland, life.
Israel, including Salem, Corvallis, Albany and Eugene. Yeshiva, NYC taxi driving (“school”),
taking an active Robin was a lover of music, from jazz and the U.S. Army, City College and a master’s
role in the Tem- Broadway to Frank Sinatra and the Rolling program in Hospital Administration at Co-
ple Sisterhood. Gerel Blauer. Stones (who she saw in concert at age 81). lumbia University prepared him for his life
She also helped Courtesy BB Camp She and Bob traveled the world together, of engagement with and service to commu-
establish the Beth but their favorite retreat was their beach nity, Judaism, his family and friends.
Israel archives. She was active at the Mittle- house in Seaside. She was passionate in After raising two boys with her, Henry
man Jewish Community Center and served her dedication for children’s charities, ed- tenderly cared for his beloved wife, So-
a term on the Robison Jewish Home board. ucation and the arts, as she served on the phie Marie Olshin, through seven years of
She spent 40 years as a tour guide for the Ur- boards of Young Audiences of Oregon, cancer. Their love was rich and deep. He
ban Tour Group, providing tours for school Boys & Girls Aid, Lincoln High School was lucky to enjoy both a long and loving
students designed to share the history, cul- Alumni Association and Albertina Kerr. marriage to Sophie and a loving partnership
ture, architecture and resources of Portland. The funeral was Feb. 6, 2022, at Congre- with Marsha Warshaw later in life.
Gerel was an avid gardener and played ten- gation Beth Israel. Donations may be made A religious man who was often called on to
nis from her teens until her late 80s. to Young Audiences of Oregon or to the lead services and make a minyan, Henry reg-
The family will have a private burial. A Robert & Robin Mesher Scholarship Fund ularly welcomed non-Jewish friends to join
memorial service was held Feb. 13 at Con- at the University of Oregon. the family’s seder meals. A lover of klezmer
gregation Beth Israel. music and Yiddish, he enjoyed building and
JOAN MOSES
PAM (SAMI) FENTON Joan Moses, z”l, passed away on Feb. 1, displaying his Judaica collection.
Henry was proud to support Cascadia
Pam (Sami) Fenton, z”l, passed away on 2022, in New Jersey at the age of 85. She Clusters, a nonprofit founded by his son,
Feb. 6, 2022, in Portland. She was the be- was the beloved sister of Dora (Jerry) New- Andy, that hires and trains houseless Port-
loved niece of Lee Berne, mother of Abbie man of Congregation Shaarie Torah. landers in the construction trades to build
Fenton, sister of Scott and Carol Fenton She is survived by her sisters, Dora New- housing and support structures for use at
and Cliff Feingold, and cousin of Keith and man, Rosalind Bialor and Anna Sanchez; houseless villages. You can honor Henry
Rosalie Berne and Craig and Jan Berne. her children, Scott, Ari and Betsy; and her with a donation to Cascadia Clusters cas-
Private arrangements are being made. seven grandchildren. cadiaclusters.org/support.
ROBIN JOY MESHER
Robin Joy (Vidgoff) Mesher died peace- 3-part series: Talking About Death Won’t Kill You
fully in her sleep at her home Feb. 3, 2022,
at age 83, of complications related to kidney This three-part series will explore how Judaism approaches the last phase of the life
failure. She was surrounded by her entire cycle. Tradition provides a path both for the person who is dying, and for those who love
family, and she was elegant and graceful them. This free program is sponsored by the Oregon Board of Rabbis and Chevra Kavod
until the very end. Robin is survived by her HaMet (Chevra Kadisha, burial society).
husband of 63 years, Robert “Bob” Mesh- Learn how you can be prepared to make practical and personal decisions about the time
er; children, Page (Lynn) Mesher and Tracy before death, the moment of passing, the ritual preparations for burial, the interment op-
(Robert) Moir; five grandchildren and two tions, the stages of mourning and beliefs in the afterlife. Sign up for one or all three
great-grandchildren, Lauren (Alex) Robin- 60-minute Zoom 7 pm sessions:
son, Jacquelyn (Marcus) Lefton, Harrison • Feb. 24: Rituals of burial and modern eco-burial with Rabbi Ariel Stone, Shir Tikvah;
Moir, Paige Claire “PC” Mesher, Sydney • March 10: Jewish rituals to help us prepare ourselves and our loved ones for death with
Mesher, and Finn and Tatum Robinson. Rabbi Barry Cohen, Community Chaplain;
Robin was preceded in death by her broth- • March 31: Jewish grieving & beliefs in the afterlife with Rabbi Eve Posen, Neveh Shalom..
er, Sheldon Vidgoff. Register at: forms.gle/kVLgwJAgBzPpKgX68
14 Jewish Review Feb. 16, 2022