Louise Weisman Levi

Louise Weisman Levi, aged 96, passed away on Sunday May 17. She was the younger daughter of the late Joseph and Stella Fink Weisman, and the widow of Bernard Levi. She was born November 3, 1918 in Pine Bluff, and reared and lived in Dermott, until retiring to Hot Springs in 1995. A first generation American to be born here (her parents were immigrants from Eastern Europe), Louise was a business woman from an early age, when her beloved father taught her the clothing business and she served as vice-president of Weisman's, the department store her father opened in Dermott in 1912, and was also a partner in Levi's of McGehee. She loved her work and counted her customers as friends. While her husband was president and the public relations man as well as a respected civic leader, she preferred to stay in the background and mind the store. She enjoyed buying the ladies' ready-to-wear and keeping up with fashion trends. She was probably one of the few people in Southeast Arkansas who subscribed to the Sunday New York Times, where she studied fashion trends and ads from the stores in New York. Louise and Bernard continued to operate the store until 1974, when their son Lawrence took over as President. Louise was fortunate to have attended Stephens College in Columbia, Mo. In 1941, she married Bernard Levi and they were married until he passed away in 1994. She was one of the original members of Meir Chayim Temple in McGehee and later belonged to Congregation House of Israel in Hot Springs, and was active in the Sisterhood of both temples. Louise also was a long-time supporter of the Benedictine Sisters and St. Mary's Hospital in Dermott. Predeceased by her sister Bernice Weisman Sherman, she is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Lawrence Weisman and Carol (who was considered a daughter, not a daughter-in-law) Levi of Hot Springs; a grandson Dr. Mark Levi of Rockville, Md.; and nephews including Robert Sherman, Alan Levi; nieces Sharon Levi Moon, and Debi Levi Attwood; cousins Jean Gershner, Kay Baim Shapiro, Bobi Simpson and Kenneth Baim. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of West Shores Retirement Community for their kindness during Louise's 14-year stay and to Dr. James Gardner. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Home with Rabbi Eugene Levy officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Congregation House of Israel, P.O. Box 20802, Hot Springs, AR 71903; CHI St. Vincent Foundation, c/o Kathy Taylor, P.O. Box 29001, Hot Springs, AR 71901; or a charity of your choice. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.