Obituary: Marian Schenkman Ely

Marian Schenkman Ely passed away peacefully on Nov. 14, 2023, at the age of 93. She was born on Feb. 13, 1930, in Staten Island, N.Y., and at the age of 11, moved with her family to Miami Beach, where she graduated as valedictorian of her class.

In 1950, she met Bernard Ely at the Standard Club. They married six months later and had four daughters: Ilene, Jenice, Cathy, and Mindy. Marian enjoyed her life in Atlanta. Her eye for fashion stemmed from years of making her own clothes in high school. She loved shopping and made sure that she and her daughters looked fashionable. She also had a natural flare for design and decorated their home with hues of warmth and modern tones. Everything about Marian was beautiful.

Her house was everyone’s home with its open door and welcomeness. She valued togetherness and made everyone feel comfortable. Her children and their friends relished the joy of being there with endless food and chatter.

Marian was a good friend. She and her sisterhood would play Mahjong and Canasta, where they bonded with seamless talk about the latest gossip, politics, books, shopping finds, and secrets that remain untold.

Nothing brought her more joy than being a mother and “Grammy.” She was actively involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren and appreciated each one’s uniqueness. At the end of her life, she felt complete and was proud to be the Grammy of Lori, Juliana, David, Seth, Elyssa, Alex, Carrie, Adam, Dustin, and Sam, as well as the great-Grammy of Sophie, Madelyn, Lila, and Paige.

She is survived by her children, Mindy (Michael) Grossman, Cathy Shapiro, Jenice Ely and Barry Ginsberg, and Ilene (Jerry) Carlson.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Marian Ely be made to the charity of your choice or to the Vi and Milton Weinstein Hospice at 3150 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30327-2108. To make a gift by phone, call (404)351-8410. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care.

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