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66 December 15 • 2016 Obituaries Monument Center Inc. Monuments and Markers Bronze Markers Memorial Duplicating Cemetery Lettering & Cleaning "Same Location Over 80 Years" www.MonumentCenterInc.com WWW.HOM.ORG CALL 24/7 TOLLFREE: (888) 247-5701 CHOOSE THE EXPERTS Proud to partner with the Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network CARING FOR THE DETROIT JEWISH COMMUNITY SINCE 1980 2066590 obituaries » S ylvia Granader, of West Bloomfield, died Dec. 7, at age 96. Sylvia led a remarkable life. Her Aunt Jessie had a cof- fee shop near Detroit City Airport and that is where she first became fasci- nated with flying. She saved money for lessons, earned her pilot's license and joined the Civil Air Patrol, where she was the only woman in her class. A graduate of Wayne State University with a bachelor's degree in art education, Sylvia was also a World War II veteran as a member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), a highly selective group of women pilots. Those years were among the best of her life, especially because that's when she met Harry Granader, who became her husband. "Flying attracted me," she said in a JN story in 2010. "In the clouds, it's as close as you'll get to heaven without dying." She never tired of talking about those days, and her family never tired of hearing about them. In 2010, Sylvia took her final flight when she flew to Washington, D.C., where she and her WASP sisters were each awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their service to our country by President Barack Obama. Sylvia married Harry in 1943. While fully vested in raising their five sons, she also found time to earn her MFA at Cranbrook Academy of Art. She was a talented tex- tile artist and wove a tallit for each of her sons to wear at their bar mitzvahs at Congregation Beth Shalom in Oak Park, where Harry and Sylvia were founding members. After the boys were grown, there was room in her heart and her home for her granddaughters Stephanie and Rachel. Her love for her family knew no bounds. She volunteered with the Sheruth League and learned Braille. She was a den mother and go-to mom for school and sports events. In the 1980s, Harry and Sylvia fulfilled a lifetime dream when they purchased a ranch in Gold Creek, Mont. They built a home with a spectacular view of the sur- rounding country. They donated 87 acres to found Camp-Mak-A-Dream, a cost- free camp for children whose lives have been touched by cancer. The camp opened its doors in 1995 and has grown and thrived. Despite dealing with the loss of her own physical mobility, Sylvia was a tireless volunteer at camp. She spent every day in the Art Barn where her talents, training and generous spirit will be remembered by the many campers who still sport the friendship bracelets they made with Sylvia's help. In 2010, Sylvia celebrated her 90th birthday — the same year she received her Congressional Gold Medal and became a great-grandmother. As always, she was a trooper. She said she was somewhat sur- prised to be having such a great year while still mourning the loss of Harry in 2006. Not too long after turning 90, Sylvia began to exhibit signs of dementia. She fought it as well as anyone could and was determined to stay in the house she and Harry built in 1952 for as long as she could. She wasn't happy when the time came to move to Fleischman in West Bloomfield, but when she got there, she enjoyed playing cards and bingo, the musical entertainment and the beautiful birds in the lounge. She made friends, particularly with Sarah, a Holocaust survivor. What different lives they led; but they had a strong bond and, even though Sarah has a strong accent and Sylvia could barely hear, they had no prob- lem communicating. When she had to move to the memory care floor, Sylvia went with grace. She often said the people there took very good care of her. As usual, no complaints. Dementia may have taken so much from her, but her essential personality remained intact. She was always happy to see visi- tors, and she knew and loved her family to the very end. She never stopped enjoy- ing a good joke or reminiscing about trips to Las Vegas or the cottage. The family is grateful to all the kind and patient ladies at Fleischman who took care of Sylvia and kept her company. Sylvia was the beloved wife for 63 years of the late Harry Granader. She was the dear- est mother of Alan (Rosellen Gliner), Neil (Louise), Dan, Larry (Cissy Sims) and Gary (Monique Balaban). She also raised two granddaughters, Stephanie Granader and Rachel Wessels, who loved her as a mother. Her other grandchildren include Jennifer Sawalha, Heather Granader, Emma Rodriguez and Gabriella Levy; and great-grandchildren, Harry Wessels, Montana Wessels and Rocco Sawalha. She is also survived by her brothers- in-law, Hadar (Lois) Granader, Ronald Granader and Charles Grenadier. Sylvia was the daughter of the late Mary and Izzy Schwartz and was also predeceased by her two sisters, Eva Tractenberg and Eileen Leider. Charitable contributions may be made to Camp Mak-A-Dream, 121 W. Long Lake Road, Suite 120, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304, (248) 723-5575, www. campdreammich.org. Rabbi David Nelson of Congregation Beth Shalom in Oak Park officiated at the funeral. Interment was at Hebrew Memorial Park in Clinton Township. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. * Love Of Family And Flying Fueled Her Life Sylvia Granader Dunitz DOROTHY DUNITZ, 97, of Franklin, died Nov. 14, 2016. She was an art- ist who possessed a creative and curious mind. She studied ceramics at the College for Creative Studies, and her work was exhibited at galler- ies, shows and in publications. One of her plates is in the collection at the University of Michigan Museum of Art. Dorothy was also a dancer, sup- porter of the arts and a lover of music. She had a strong zest for life. She was equally at home at the sym- phony or at a smoky jazz club in the wee hours. She sat on the boards of the Detroit Music Hall and Archives of American Arts and was involved in many other artistic and civic activities. She additionally enjoyed world travel with her late husband, Saul. Mrs. Dunitz is survived by her daughters, Judy Rosenberg and Nancy Bruch; son and daughter- in-law, Michael and Rae Dunitz; grandchildren, Jeffrey and Candi Rosenberg, Karen and Richard Sweet, Linda Rosenberg, Dr. Jill Jacobson and Dr. Joseph Molko, Robin Jacobson and Joseph Billig, Max Dunitz, Kate Dunitz; nine great- grandchildren. She was the beloved wife of the late Saul H. Dunitz; the loving sister of the late Dr. Milton Roth. Interment was at Beth El Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to National Council of Jewish Women, 26400 Lahser Road, Suite 306, Southfield, MI 48033, www.ncjwgds.org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.