Dr. Leila Joan Arens (Silber) Obituary (1921 - 2018)

Dr. Leila Joan Arens (Silber) passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 8, 2018, at Cottagewood in Rochester, after a long illness at the age of 97 years. She was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Feb. 17, 1921, and spent most of her life in Cape Town before immigrating to the United States to join her children in 2001. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree followed by a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree from the University of Cape Town. She spent most of her professional career as a physician studying and caring for children with cerebral palsy and learning disabilities. She published many studies on these topics and pioneered several novel therapies designed to improve the quality of life of the children she treated. She taught many generations of medical students and was known for her excellent teaching. Her Jewish identity was extremely important to her. She was a committed Zionist and an unwavering supporter of the State of Israel. She was predeceased by her husband, Professor Bill Silber and is survived by her loving children, Michael and Sandra Silber, and Anne and Allan Witz; as well as her grandchildren, Bradley, Taryn and Ryan Silber, Kyla and Dave Hoak, and Aylix and Darren Jensen; and her great-granddaughter, Pella Hoak. Graveside service was held at Gemelus Chesed Cemetery, Richfield, MN Shiva house prayers will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 10, and 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, at the home of Mike and Sandy Silber, 2006 Kal Lane SW, Rochester. All friends are welcome. No flowers please. Tributes can be made to Heartland Hospice or Chabad Lubavitch of Rochester.