Shelley Middleberg passes away; funeral held at Beth Israel

SHELLEY “MIMI” GLAZER MIDDLEBERG passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family and friends on Monday, September 24, 2018.  She was 68.

SHELLEY GLAZER MIDDLEBERG

A longtime community volunteer and organizer, Middleberg enjoyed various roles at the Contemporary Arts Center, where she was most recently involved as a director of sales and hospitality manager. A tireless arts enthusiast, Middleberg was president of the Louis A. and Lillian L. Glazer Family Foundation, which supports the arts, various Jewish institutions and other philanthropic organizations.

Born in Knoxville, TN., she moved to New Orleans as a child.  She was an early resident of the Warehouse District and could often be found wearing one of her many bright scarves at any one of the neighborhood establishments.

She is survived by her sons Benjamin (Lauren) and Aaron (Kelley) Middleberg, her sister Carole Jacobson, her brother Jay Glazer and three grandchildren.

Relatives and friends attended a memorial service at Beth Israel Synagogue, 4004 West Esplanade in Metairie, at noon on Wednesday, September 26. Rabbi Gabriel Greenberg officiated with a graveside service that followed at Jefferson Memorial Gardens (Shir Chadash section),11316 River Road in St. Rose, LA.

Friends gathered at Middleberg’s apartment following the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Middleberg’s memory to either Congregation Beth Israel, 4004 W. Esplanade Ave. Metairie, LA 70002 or the Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., New Orleans, LA 70130. Arrangements are by Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp Funeral Home, 1600 N. Causeway Blvd. For more information, call 504-835-2341.