Daddy
I remember and celebrate your goodness, your beauty and your radiance. I am inspired as I recall your zest for life, your joie de vivre, your vitality and passion; the flash of warmth and wisdom from your deep brown eyes.
I am grateful for memories which ease the never-ending pain of bereavement.
Dashingly handsome and possessed of the finest qualities; you were a man of high principles prizing truth, honour, integrity and loyalty.
You were a proud Jew and embraced your faith with knowledge and joy. You were a devoted husband and father. We, your family, were your life. Baruch Hashem you lived a long and happy life.
You met and married mummy, Ruth, your besheret. Your blissful sixty-three year union was all the stronger because you were partners in business as well as the home; entrepreneurs in the fashion industry, first as manufacturers, then as retailers.
You opened a chain of stores where now stands Harvey Nichols and The Trinity Shopping Centre.
You worked hard with mummy to give your children, Jeffrey and I, the precious gift of education, sending us to the best private schools in Leeds. We went on to become lawyers and independent thinkers.
Daddy.
When you embraced an interest you embraced it with gusto and what diverse interests indeed! Salmon fishing in Scotland and smoking the catch; classical music, particularly pianoforte (naturally, me being a child prodigy!); rugby league, tennis and golf (you were a true sportsman, enthusiast and gifted coach).
Late in life unnervingly (!) you enjoyed gory Sky TV movies and documentaries where there was a murder, a good plot and CSI involved!
You adored cooking and baking all the haimische favourites. I have stared transfixed with tears of sadness and laughter at your encyclopaedic collection of hand-written recipes in a hotchpotch of “recipe books” (notebooks of all shapes and sizes). All the Jewish favourites and rarities with gefilte fish and cheesecake your particular obsessions.
You would “Shush! Shush!” when watching news and politics on TV. You were always in touch with what was going on and had a fiery point of view. Your greatest affection and allegiance focused on Israel. I recall with pride you were the President of the Leeds Chapter of Magen David Adom in the early 1970s.
You were at home in shul and as a child and an adult when a musical line swelled, I loved to hear your voice rising above the congregation like a gifted tenor, mellifluous, sweet and strong in your adoration of Hashem.
I pray He embraces you through eternity and honour you with these loving memories on your third Yahrzeit.
Your devoted daughter
Marsha Lee Myers
