Funeral services for Bess Oliner, a native and lifelong resident of Denver, took place Dec. 31 at Mt. Nebo Cemetery. Cantor Maurice Weiss officiated at services for Mrs. Oliner who passed away Dec. 29, 2009. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Born in Denver on Aug. 15, 1916, Mrs. Oliner was the last surviving child of Russian Jewish immigrants Samuel and Rebecca Charney who settled in Denver in 1911.
She married Herman Oliner in August, 1936 and was preceded by him in death in 2001.
After her graduation from North High School, Mrs. Oliner worked briefly in the insurance business before becoming a homemaker. She was active at different times in the Hebrew Educational Alliance and Beth Joseph Congregation.
Mrs. Oliner and her husband were close friends with the late Rabbi Manuel and Bess Laderman of the Alliance and often shared vacations with them in California where they had fond memories of celebrating the Sabbath together.
Mrs. Oliner was also active as a volunteer with PTA activities and Colorado state mental health programs and served on the Englewood Public Library board.
Her son Stan Oliner recalls that his grandmother, Rebecca Charney, came to live with his family in her senior years and that her last request to Mrs. Oliner was to keep their extended family together. His mother fulfilled this duty admirably, Stan Oliner said, hosting regular family gatherings on holidays. To this day, he said, the extended family is an unusually close one.
Mrs. Oliner was the mother of Stan Skip Oliner and Fern Oliner of Denver; the grandmother of Michelle Oliner and Stephanie Smith Velasco; and the great-grandmother of Jacquelyn and Ari Velasco.
Memorial contributions may be made to Jewish Family Service Adult Services, 3201 S. Tamarac Dr., #200, Denver, CO 80231; or the Denver Teachers Club, 990 Glencoe St., Denver, CO 80220.
