Shirley R. Kaiser Obituary (1935 - 2015)

Shirley Rae Kaiser (Oscherwitz), 80, of Cincinnati, Ohio. Growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, Shirley graduated from Walnut Hills High School as an outstanding student graduating with honors. Shirley was a member of the Quill and Scroll, the WHHS newspaper, The Chatterbox, and played field hockey for the WHHS team. She went on to the University of Cincinnati where she graduated a year early with Phi Beta Kappa Honors. She also earned a Master’s Degree in Theology and a Master’s Degree in Physics from Xavier University. She was a medical technologist by training and worked for many years at Jewish Hospital and Bethesda Hospital, both in Cincinnati. In the mid 1970s, Shirley was the first female in Ohio to teach medical technology at Aiken High School, in a new state-wide program that was launched in Cincinnati. Her final career path was as a metal specialist, analyzing metals and data for a company in Cincinnati. Shirley was set up on a blind date at a UC Bearcats basketball game where she met the man who became the love of her life and her husband of 48 years, Bill Kaiser. Throughout her life, Shirley continued to study and learn, participating in The Melton School of Jewish Studies, serving as a member of the Chevra Kadisha at her synagogue, reading extensively, spending summers on Cape Cod, traveling out west and around the world. She was known for being capable, honest and extremely intelligent. Preceded in death by parents, Bernard and Julia Oscherwitz, in-laws David and Minnie Kaiser and her loving husband of 48 years, Bill Kaiser. Survived by children Michele (Danny) Lavon, Peter (Terri) Kaiser and Suzanne (Tom) Fairbanks. Grandchildren: Elianna and Sarina of Columbus, Ohio, and Colton, Brianna and Brayden of Scottsdale, Arizona. Private graveside funeral to be held at the New Tifereth Israel Cemetery, with Rabbi Michael Ungar officiating. Donations can be made in memory of Shirley R. Kaiser to: the Jewish Federation of Columbus’ Holocaust Survivors Initiative at http://JewishColumbus.org/hsi. All donations to the Holocaust Survivors Initiative are eligible to be matched through a generous grant from the Wexner family.