It is our sad duty to inform you that Marlene Hyde, long time, beloved member of SAJAC, has passed away.
Marlene’s funeral will take place in Israel, and the family will sit Shiva in Israel.
Our deepest sympathies to Marlene’s children, David Hyde, Amanda Pinkas, and Susan Hyde Schwartz, and their families on their loss.
May they be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem and may they know no more sorrow.
Eulogy by Susan Hyde
Marlene (Aires) Hyde a”h was both vivacious and calm, sensible and wise. When people met her they were drawn to her, shared personal stories and valued her counsel.
Born in South Africa to immigrant Lithuanian parents, she studied social work, then psychology, while raising three young children.
Marlene’s private practice was in constant demand and she consulted to a well-known family therapy service organization.
While she loved her Johannesburg home and garden, she left for California in the mid-nineties. The beach was a favorite spot, where she collected seashells and stones. Some of these precious finds were placed on her grave in Israel.
Once again Marlene had a private practice and a new avocation, lecturer to university psychology students. She shared stories with us of her interactions and feedback from students, who loved her classes.
Twenty years ago, Marlene married fellow South African Barry Berelowitz, who’d emigrated before her. They discovered that they had taken their kids to the same park and lived near each other in Johannesburg, but only met in America.
Marlene was a proud mother and grandmother, always seeing ahead to her family’s needs.
When she brought Barry to meet each of her three children, in three countries, both Barry and they said “It was love at first sight!”.
Marlene and Barry spent long periods visiting Israel, where her children and grandchildren live.
Their marriage was a perfect vehicle for supporting worthy causes, not only financially, but in strategic and collaborative roles.
Their deep connection to the Jewish South African community was reflected in their commitment with Israeli schools on the socio-economic periphery. They toured the schools and selected meaningful projects from the heart.
Barry passed away in December 2022. Marlene was already ill, and, in her stoic manner, went through treatment. Her children were with her in rotation through that difficult year. She passed away in February 2024.
Thankfully we could bring her to Israel for burial in our beloved land, to be with us until the end of days.
We’ve kept her lovingly collected stones to place on her grave.