Betty Stein Melaver

Betty Stein Melaver, 82, of Savannah Georgia died Saturday evening, September 19th, 2015, in her home.



She was born in Americus Georgia in 1933. After attending Americus High School, she was graduated from Agnes Scott College cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts, and did additional graduate work at Emory University in the field of psychology. She married the late Norton Melaver in 1957 and moved to Savannah GA, and they spent their lives working together both in business and community.



Betty taught high school in Savannah and in addition to helping to build M&M Supermarkets, she served as Director of Customer Relations at M&M, and later as Vice President of Melaver Inc.



In Savannah and on a national level, Betty was deeply involved in community activities, both as a philanthropist and as a hands-on leader and activist. Her many affiliations include her involvement at Crittenton Home and Greenbriar Children's Center, President of the League of Women Voters, President of the Savannah Science Museum, Chairman of King Tisdell Cottage Foundation, trustee at Savannah Country Day School, Chairman of the Telfair Museum, and first woman President of the Jewish Education Alliance (JEA).



She was instrumental in catapulting many of these organizations into a new era of success. She served as Co-Chair (along with Norton Melaver) of a capital campaign for Savannah's Second Harvest Food Bank. As president of the JEA, she was the driving force for the Capital Campaign and spearheaded the Building Campaign to completely rebuild the Alliance. As President of the Telfair Museum, Betty was instrumental in the creation of the Jepson Center, successfully campaigning to raise the funds for the new building.



On the national level, she served on the board of CLAL (Center for Learning and Leadership) and as Vice President and Executive Board member of the Jewish Community Centers of America.



An innovative potter, she was a founding member of Gallery 209 on River Street, where her handcrafted pots and sculpture were featured and sold for over 40 years.



Fiercely loyal and protective of family, she was also famous for hospitably opening her home and heart. Proud and loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and great-aunt, she is survived by her sister, Ann Alperin; her son, Martin Melaver and his children, Dana and Alon; her daughter, Tovah Melaver and her wife, Edison Wolf, and daughter Aliyah; and her daughter, Elle Melaver and her son, Ian.



The funeral service will be held at 3 o'clock Monday afternoon at the graveside, Bonaventure Cemetery.



The family will sit Shiva at the home ' 5 Sweet Bay Lane, Savannah.



In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Second Harvest Food Bank ' 2501 East President Street, Savannah, Georgia 31404 or the Live Oak Public Libraries Foundation ' 2002 Bull Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401 or to Congregation Agudath Achim ' 9 Lee Boulevard, Savannah, Georgia 31405 ' or to any organization you feel Betty would have wanted to support.