Marjorie Singer Tobias

Marjorie Singer Tobias of Madison, Wisconsin passed away at Agrace Hospice on November 27, 2023

Marjorie was born on October 3, 1928, in Chicago to Honora (Oppenheim) Singer and Edward Singer. She graduated from Hyde Park High in 1946.   Marjorie attended the University of Wisconsin where she dated and married Madison native, Harry Tobias in 1949 and graduated UW in 1950.

Harry and Marjorie were married for 68 years, raised four daughters, enjoyed activities with their dear friends, earned a single engine pilot’s license, cheered for UW and enthusiastically traveled to all seven continents.  Marjorie served progressively on the Shorewood, Valley and M&I Bank boards.

Paraphrasing Rabbi Manfred Swarsensky, Marjorie believed strongly that “volunteerism” is the rent you pay for the space you take up on this earth.  Her seven decades of volunteer committees, boards, membership and governance included:  Temple Beth El, Brownie/Girl Scout leader, Shorewood Elementary PTA, Shorewood Hills Trustee, Madison Urban League, United Way Allocation Committee, Madison Symphony, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Attic Angels, Shorewood Ambulance Driver, Temple Sinai Palm Desert, MSCR Pontoon 1^st Mate, UW Medical School Board of Visitors, UW Center for Jewish Studies, Capitol Lakes Committees and the Capitol Lakes Foundation.

Marjorie’s leadership included: Temple Beth El Sisterhood President, President Shorewood League, first female President of Temple Beth El, President Midwest Sisterhood, Sisterhood National Board Member, President Jewish Federation of Madison. Her leadership recognitions included: YWCA Woman of Distinction, Downtown Rotary Senior Service Award, Temkin Distinguished Service Award and 2018 Temple Beth El event to honor her 70 years of service.

In addition to her volunteer and leadership activities, Marjorie enjoyed swimming, gardening, walking, knitting, puzzles, watercolor painting, reading, bridge and Mah Jongg.

Marjorie is survived by her four daughters, Lynn Tobias (Chet Edwards) of Portland, Oregon, Cathy Tobias of Minnesota/Florida, Judy Tobias of Long Boat Key, Florida, Amy Fields (Marty) of Madison;  grandchildren Jacob Todd, Molly Fields, Elissa Todd (Greer Gentry), Kalie Kebed (Daniel), Randall Fields (Ally Keller), Anna Edwards (Eric Griffiths), Jordan Edelstein (Martha Allen), Alex Edwards (Cecelia Scheeler), Andrew Edelstein and great-grandchildren Amara Todd, Noah Kebed, Eliana Kebed, Zack & Ziggy Griffiths.  Also surviving Marjorie are nieces, Pam Helfand and Marci Helfand.   

Marjorie was preceded in death by her husband Harry, parents Honora and Edward Singer, in-laws Vivian and Joseph Tobias, adored Aunts Mickey Oppenheim and Ida Meyers, sister-in-law Ilene Tobias Helfand and grandson Seth Todd.

Following the burial, a memorial service will be held at Temple Beth El, 2702 Arbor Drive, on Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 am with a lunch/Meal of Condolence following the service at Temple.

Shiva minyan will be held Thursday, November 30, 5:00 pm at the home of Amy and Marty Fields.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Temple Beth El-Tobias Programming Fund or charity of your choice.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the care and compassion provided by Capitol Lakes and Agrace Hospice Care.