Muriel Zuckerman

The family of Muriel Zuckerman, age 97, announces her passing on November 29, 2024 at Balfour Ann Arbor. Muriel is predeceased by her loving husband, Oscar Zuckerman and her parents Harry and Bessie Green. Muriel is survived by her sister-in-law, Evelyn Wachtel, several nieces and nephews, her children, Barbara Zuckerman of New York City, Roberta Tankanow (Larry) of Ann Arbor, MI, Mark Zuckerman (Graziella) of St. James, NY, Brian Zuckerman (Vangie) of Salem, OR, grandchildren Alyse Tankanow, Andrew Tankanow (Jennifer), Mireille Oldak (John), Valerie (Gitis), Eric Zuckerman (Sereana), Ephraim Zuckerman, Jamie Zuckerman, Joanna Zuckerman, David Zuckerman, and great grandchildren Alexandra and Henry Cohen, Max and Lauren Tankanow, Anna and Aaron Oldak.

Muriel, an only child, was born in Tulsa, OK and at the age of 4 moved to Buffalo, NY with her parents and lived there until age 19. One summer while staying with her older cousin Bea Lipkin (4 years older) the two teens decided to drive to Moonwinks Restaurant and bar in Cuba, NY. Muriel (really only 14) was introduced as a 17-yr old when she met Oscar, 7 years her senior and a college student! Thus, the romance began. Oscar graduated from St. Bonaventure University, enlisted in the US Army, and was sent to war in 1942. Muriel and Oscar maintained their romance through letters while she was in high school and Oscar, a tank sergeant, was fighting in Europe. The letters were filled with passion, jokes, and promises to remain faithful until the war was over. They were married in 1946 and moved to Olean, NY where Oscar owned a hardware store and automotive repair shop, and Muriel was a homemaker and raised 4 children. When the children were in junior high, Muriel went back to school to earn a master’s in education and history at St. Bonaventure University. Her children delightfully attended her graduation! Muriel taught American History in Portville, NY before retiring after many years of educating high school students. Muriel and Oscar retired to Wellington, FL to be near her cousin Bea. Soon after their move though, Ozzie passed away suddenly at age 67, and Muriel had to learn to pump gas, take care of her home and manage her finances.

Muriel was passionate about education, the arts, including Asian Art, Impressionism, classical music, opera (Madame Butterfly was her favorite), Big Band and Swing music, musicals by Sondheim and Oscar and Hammerstein, and ballet. She and Ozzie often attended plays and music at Stratford, Ontario, Bernard Shaw Festivals and Chatauqua Institute. She impressed upon her children the importance of learning a musical instrument, the power of reading and education, and the importance of knowing about their Jewish background and perpetuating Judaism. Muriel and Ozzie were emphatic that their children should pursue college degrees and they made sure that they would not have any loans to obscure their educational quest.

Muriel and her family were active members of B’Nai Israel Congregation in Olean NY and encouraged the children to attend Jewish camps and join the Youth Group. Muriel was a member of the Temple’s Sisterhood and a life member of Hadassah. Muriel and Ozzie were seldom apart. Even when she attended a Sisterhood convention in Albany, she felt guilty for leaving her beloved.

Muriel was a devoted and adoring wife, mother, grand and great grandmother and the matriarch of the family. She was known as GiGi, mother bear, the Chief, mother and mom. Muriel moved to Ann Arbor, MI to live near her daughter, Roberta and family and remained her until her death. She loved living in Ann Arbor and often attended lectures, concerts, and football games at UM. She liked to cheer on the team and often was quite vocal!

Muriel had quite the sweet tooth. She loved gourmet jellybeans, Stella Doro cookies, home-made chocolate chip cookies, gingersnap cookies and strudel. She always professed moderation and the necessity of eating only good quality sweets. Muriel was an avid golfer, bridge player, and serious walker. She did not like it if you dawdled and could not keep up the pace. She was obsessed with wanting to stay healthy and didn’t want to be a burden on anyone, least of all her children.

The family wishes to thank the staff in Memory Care at Balfour and the staff at Arbor Hospice for your compassionate care of Muriel.

Muriel will be buried in Florida at the IJ Morris Star of David cemetery next to her beloved, Oscar. The family will sit shiva in Florida and a memorial service will be held in Ann Arbor, May 2025. Donations in Muriel’s memory can be made to Hadassah (https://www.hadaassah.org), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (https://giving.mskcc.org) or Beth Israel Congregation Ann Arbor (https://www.bethisrael-aa.org)