Marilyn B. Ozar, a resident of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and formerly of Kansas City, Missouri, died at the age of 97 on Dec. 11.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. at the Louis Memorial Chapel on Dec. 14, followed by burial at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.
Marilyn, born in New York and raised from infancy in Kansas City, will be remembered as a generous and loving person who enriched the lives of all those she met. No one left a visit or call with her without feeling acknowledged, supported and strengthened. She was deeply connected to her extended family and the Jewish community that supported her and, in turn, benefited from her dedicated volunteer efforts. Her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews all knew that Mom, Grandma or Aunt Marilyn was the one to turn to in a time of need.
Her love and caring were learned from those who cared for her. After the tragic loss of her father when she was eight, her aunt and uncle, Hyman and Clara Brand, took her, her brother and her mother into their home. She absorbed their values and admired Uncle Hymie and her cousin Arthur Brand, who led many Jewish community institutions with wisdom and dignity.
With her husband of 72 years, Milton B. Ozar, of blessed memory, she devoted herself to her family and her community while managing Milton’s medical practice. At Congregation Beth Shalom, she chaired the Youth Activities Committee and the Scholarship Committee, ran the gift shop and was designated as the synagogue historian. This new position allowed her to become the first woman to serve on the synagogue board. She served as a board member of the synagogue’s Sisterhood; treasurer and secretary of the Midwest Branch of the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism; on the board of the Jewish Educational Council; at the Women’s Division of the Jewish Federation and Council; and at Jewish Vocational Service. Her organizational skills and her attention to detail served her well in volunteer roles with Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy and the Jewish Community Campus. In recognition of her community service, she was given the Beth Shalom Men’s Club Kovod Award.
Marilyn and Milton spent the greater part of their retirement years in Florida, helping their daughters, Judy and Donna, recover from Hurricane Andrew and then staying to continue support for their families.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Milton B. Ozar, M.D. She is survived by her son, Dr. Stuart Ozar, and his wife, Dr. Betty Sonnenwirth Ozar, of St. Louis, Missouri; daughter, Judy Henry, and her husband, Bruce Shulman; Donna Goldfarb, and her husband, Bob Goldfarb; nine grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
The family is grateful to her devoted caregivers who lovingly kept her safe and comfortable.
Kindly omit flowers. The family suggests contributions to Congregation Beth Shalom, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy or a charity of your choice. Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.
