Denver native Marilyn Snyder passed away on May 3, 2025, at the age of 88. A service was held on May 8 at BMH-BJ with interment at Emanuel Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Yaakov Chaitovsky. Feldman Mortuary handled the arrangements.
Mrs. Snyder (née Epstein) was born on August 23, 1936. She attended East High School and CU Boulder. In 1957, Marilyn and Jerry Snyder married at BMH. They were married for 68 years before Mrs. Snyder’s death.
A stay-at-home mother, Mrs. Snyder had a successful career as a yarn sales representative.
“Marilyn’s greatest joys were spending time with family and friends, traveling, gardening, playing Mah Jongg,” Mrs. Snyder’s family said. “She also loved needlepointing, knitting and making people laugh.
“What made Mom special was her sense of humor, her kind heart and love of family,”
Survivors are Mrs. Snyder’s husband Jerry; children Brent (Lori) Snyder, Leslie (Ellen Johnson) Keith and Tobie Snyder; grandchildren Brett (Lynnsay) Simon, Danny Simon, Sydney (Avi) Lowenstein, Seth (Willa) Snyder and Shelby (Ethan) Demby; and great-grandchildren Mia, Milo, Asher, Bryson, Grae, Remy and Syril; and sisters-in-law Ruth Epstein, Sara Epstein and Vivian Epstein.
Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Assn.
Renee Hodges
Longtime Denver resident Renee Forman Hodges died on May 30, 2025. A service was held on June 1 at Mt. Nebo Cemetery, officiated by Cantor Marty Goldstein and Eitan Kantor. Feldman Mortuary handled the arrangements.
A native of Brooklyn, NY, Ms. Hodges (née Forman) was born in 1936, and was a first-generation American. She spoke Yiddish in her home and learned English at school. After high school, she moved to California to be with her brother David and his wife Shirley.
In California, Ms. Hodges worked for Diner’s Club and Rainbo Bakery. Family relocations dictated moves to New Mexico, Kentucky and Colorado. She landed in Denver in 1974.
“With all the moving, Renee became adept at making new friends,” her family said. “Mom loved socializing, animals and her grandchildren and great-grandchild.
“She cherished being a Bubbe. Renee was hard working and generous with her contributions to a variety of charities.”
Survivors are children Pam (David) Silverman, Alan (Lisa Lujan) Hodges and David (Aliza) Hodges; grandchildren Zach (Lisa) Richardson, Jacqueline (Dakota) Lewton, Breann Hodges, Colin Hodges, Kaylyn Hodges, Nathan Hodges, AJ Hodges, Samantha Hodges, Yehuda Zev Hodges, Meir Simcha (Ruchama) Hodges, Shlomo Zalman Hodges and Moshe Chaim Hodges; and great-grandchild Yeshaya Hodges.
Contributions may be made to HEA or Humane Colorado.
Dr. Anschel Tarlie
Dr. Anschel Tarlie died on June 9, 2025, at the age of 88. A service was held on June 11 at BMH-BJ with burial at Mt. Nebo Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Yaakov Chaitovsky. Feldman Mortuary took care of the arrangements.
A native of South Africa, Dr. Tarlie was born on June 25, 1936. He received undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Cape Town.
He later became an anesthesiologist at Rose Medical Center, and retired in 2007.
Dr. Tarlie was married to the late Bernice Tarlie (née Cooper), who passed away in November, 2019. Dr. Tarlie lived in Scottsdale, Ariz., at the time of his death.
Survivors are children Ian (Fran) Tarlie, Lisa (Kent) Sacia and Martin (Cecile) Tarlie.
Contributions may be made to BMJ-BJ or Hospice of the Valley in Scottsdale.
Brett Brakel
Longmont native Brett Brakel died on April 24, 2025. A service was held on April 27 at Feldman Mortuary and interment at Emanuel Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Adam Morris. Feldman Mortuary handled the arrangements.
Born in 1969, Mr. Brakel attended Skyline High School and then UNC, where he received his teaching degree. In 1998, Brett and Rachel Rabinowitz were married in Louisville.
A lifelong teacher and coach, Mr. Brakel was most recently the head baseball coach at Fort Lupton High School.
“Brett had a passion for encouraging kids to achieve their highest potential,” Mr. Brakel’s family said. “Brett was an incredible father and husband.
“His number one priority was always his family and constantly putting our needs in front of his own.”
Survivors are Mr. Brakel’s wife Rachel; children David, Aaron and Allie Brakel; mother Karen Brakel; brother Russell (Melissa) Brakel and sister-in-law Sarah Atereth.
Contributions may be made to the Brett Brakel Memorial Scholarship or the American Cancer Society.
© IJN 2025
