Born Vancouver, Canada, February 27, 1957. Died Cheshire, September 2, 2008, aged 51.
October 23, 2008 11:44A vital and vibrant member of Menorah Synagogue, the Cheshire Reform Congregation, Anne Michelle Roland was involved in practically every aspect of synagogue life.
From the Sunday morning bagel club to the ritual and practices committee, shul rebuilding steering committee, care committee, choir and every social activity, she could be counted on.
She served an outstanding term as chairman from 2003-2005, bringing total commitment to every aspect of the congregation's life.
She met her husband, Geoff, at a Kol Nidre service in 1977 at a Conservative synagogue in Washington DC, where they both happened to be on holiday.
London-born Geoff Roland went back to work as an electrical engineer for British Rail in Leeds. Anne Schaffer, as she was, returned to her bank job in Vancouver. They corresponded and Anne left for England the next year. They got engaged, married and moved to Manchester for Geoff's new job.
Their ever-open home hosted meetings and extended Shabbat and festival hospitality to all. Her table always had room for extra guests.
Anne and her sister, Joan, grew up in a Jewish family committed to serving others. Anne not only inherited this tradition but surpassed it.
She brought people to shul who would not otherwise be able to get there, delivered flowers to the sick and infirm before Yomtov, and reminded the rabbi of anyone who might need a call or word of support. With a formidable memory, she knew every member of Menorah and often their address and telephone number by heart.
She also served as governor of Springfield Primary School in Sale for several years and as a marriage
secretary.
For many in the congregation, their last memory of Anne is at the summer fair in aid of the new shul building. As usual, she was at the fundraising forefront - refuse to buy raffle tickets at your peril!
She died tragically in a car accident just two days later. Her absence from the new shul, completed just a few weeks after her death -a dream that she did so much to turn into reality - is heartbreaking.
Anne brought soul and energy to the congregation and, above all, a liberalism consonant with her firmly held belief in the value of every human being. She brought love and passion to everything she did.
She is survived by her husband, Geoff; daughter, Naomi; and son, Jonathan.