Sheila Tanenbaum

Sheila Rose Cohen Price Tanenbaum, 97, who buried two beloved husbands in her long and meaningful life, ultimately became the matriarch of a large, blended family. It was a point of great pride for her that she never considered anyone a "step." Everyone was just loved by "Nana." Mrs. Tanenbaum passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 4, 2016. Born in Bronx, NY, on April 8, 1918, to Max and Sara Dublin Cohen, she lost her mother young and raised her younger sister, who was a toddler at the time. In 1936, she married Herman (Hy) Price in Patchogue, NY, where they became the proprietors of Just Rite Bakery. In 1955, the family moved to Spartanburg, SC, and opened Quality Bakery on East Main Street downtown. She was well-known in Spartanburg as the smiling face behind the counter at the bakery, where she sold pastries and bread as well as birthday and wedding cakes. Strangely enough, Sheila, who was widely known as an expert baker and skilled cook, didn't actually begin to bake herself until the business closed in 1968. She was especially noted for her cheesecakes and rum cakes, which were much sought after by friends and families grateful to receive them for holidays. After her first husband died in 1977, Sheila found the second love of her life - who also was a widower and a longtime friend in the Spartanburg community. It was at that time that both she and Joel embraced all of their children as their own. Sheila and Joel Tanenbaum married and lived happily together until his death in 2000, shortly after their silver anniversary. A member of Temple B'Nai Israel for 60 years, Sheila served on every possible committee and, on multiple occasions, as vice president and president of the Sisterhood. She was a Lifetime Member of Hadassah, where she also was president for several terms, and she represented the Spartanburg Chapter at National Conventions on more than one occasion. She also served the greater Spartanburg community as a Mobile Meals volunteer for many years. Always beautifully turned out and gracious, even in her 90's, Sheila always had a zest for life. Her love of chocolate was legendary, and she adored the beach. For 25 years, she spent a week every summer at Myrtle Beach playing canasta and mahjongg with four girlfriends; the group dubbed themselves the "Five Beach Girls." Despite failing health, she was able to see the ocean for the last time at age 95. She was a founding member of the Four Flamingos Beach Club and an avid fan of the Carolina Panthers, never missing a televised game. In addition to her parents and husbands, she was predeceased by her sister, Bella Karsch, and her son, Saul Tanenbaum. She is survived by two daughters, Geri Price Kaplan and her husband Chris of Spartanburg, SC, and Susan Price of Long Beach, CA; and two sons, Robert Price and Karen of Kensington, MD, and Ricky Tanenbaum and Carrie of Spartanburg, SC. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law and dear friend, Linda Tanenbaum of Spartanburg, SC and by her younger sister, Elin Danien of Newtown, PA. Survivors also include the following grandchildren: Harrison J. Kaplan of Boston, MA; Souri Malkin of Sherman Oaks, CA; David Price and wife Sylvia of Bethesda, MD; Bonnie Price of Redwood City, CA; Fletcher Kauffman of Los Angeles, CA; Sara Jaffe of Chicago, IL; Jason Tanenbaum and wife Jamie of Charlotte, NC; Kara Tanenbaum of Spartanburg, SC; Faith T. Cohen and husband Jeff of Atlanta, GA; Robbie Tanenbaum of Spartanburg, SC; Ross Tanenbaum of Spartanburg, SC; Sara Vinsett of Charleston, SC; Mark and Anna Vinsett of Spartanburg, SC; and Ashley Vinsett of Spartanburg, SC; as well as 11 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great- grandchildren. The family would like to offer a special thank-you to her caring and compassionate caregivers: Julie, Marsha, Debi, Betty, Luci, Ora, Brandy, and Lelia. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 PM, Sunday, February 7, 2016 at Temple B'Nai Israel, by Rabbi Yossi Liebowitz. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29307. Donations in her memory can be made to the Joel L. Tanenbaum Youth Scholarship Fund, c/o Temple B'Nai Israel, 146 Heywood Avenue, Spartanburg, SC 29302. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Sheila Rose Tanenbaum please visit our Sympathy Store.