Sheilah S. Orkin

Sheilah Orkin (nee Schermer), 92, passed away November 25. Beloved wife of the late Ralph for 67 years. Loving mother of Marilyn Weinberg. Cherished Granny of Sarah Weinberg and Max (Paloma) Weinberg. Great grandmother of JJ. Devoted sister of Nedra Rotsky and adored “Aunt She” to her Rotsky nieces and nephews and their children. Loved by countless other friends and family members.

Sheilah was born in Cleveland to Jack and Norma Schermer in July 1931. After graduating from Cleveland Heights High, she attended Ohio State until meeting the love of her life at Camp Wise (the famous story goes that she was making the “bug juice” and Ralph playfully teased “no wonder I never liked that stuff”). She and Ralph were married in May 1952 and lived at Camp LeJeune for 2 years while Ralph served in the Marine Corp. After they returned to Ohio and settled in South Euclid, Sheilah did office work and volunteered at Bellefaire, working in the classroom with troubled youth. They joined Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, where Sheilah became and remained active throughout her life. She served as Sisterhood President and Board Member and was a lifetime Temple board trustee, attending meetings by Zoom for the past few years.

After being a homemaker and volunteer, Sheilah joined Ralph in launching a personnel placement business, where they worked side by side for many years until retirement. Sheilah’s warm and engaging nature made her a natural on the phone and led to lifetime friendships with clients. In retirement she continued to volunteer for many worthwhile causes. Her caring and outgoing nature led her to make friends and form strong bonds wherever she went.

She was exceptionally close to daughter Marilyn and helped care for grandchildren Max and Sarah, the joys of her life. Well-known at the Agnon School, she received the first Grandparent Volunteer of the Year Award.

Despite the heartbreak of losing Ralph and pandemic restrictions, she remained full of life and physically active until slowed down by illness this past year. She loved getting out and being with family. She loved watching and cheering for the Cavs and the Indians/Guardians. Always mentally sharp, she remained a voracious reader with an ongoing library “hold list” until the end. She will be dearly missed by all who loved her.

Services Tuesday November 28 at 1 p.m. at the BERKOWITZ-KUMIN-BOOKATZ MEMORIAL CHAPEL 1985 S. Taylor Rd., Cleveland Hts. Interment Mayfield Cemetery. Family at the residence 1992 Temblethurst, South Euclid, Tuesday 7-9 p.m. Contributions are suggested to the Fairmount Temple Touch and Tell Fund or Women of Fairmount Temple.

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Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.berkowitzkuminbookatzfunerals.com for the Orkin family.