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March 28, 2024 at 1:11 a.m.

Lois Semel Blonder, 90, of Atlanta, Ga., and a former Port Chester resident, died Mar. 23, 2024.

She was born in Washington Heights, N.Y. in 1933, attended the University of Georgia and met her future husband, Jerry Blonder, on a blind date; they were married for more than 52 years before his death in 2006.

They married in 1953 and briefly lived in Port Chester and outside of Miami before moving to Atlanta, where she graduated from Oglethorpe University.

Mrs. Blonder was an active and dedicated member of the Atlanta Jewish community, having served on the boards of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum, Jewish Family & Career Services, the Southeast chapter of the Anti-Defamation League, the Atlanta chapter of the American Jewish Committee, the Auxiliary of the William Breman Jewish Home, Weinstein Hospice and the United Jewish Appeal National Women's Division.

She was honored in 2004 as a Community Superstar by Hillels of Georgia, was recognized as a legend in 2009 by the William Breman Jewish Home; was honored in 2014 at the International Lion of Judah Conference in New York as Atlanta's recipient of the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award, which honors extraordinary women who have set a high standard for philanthropy and volunteerism; and was honored in 2018 with a Lifetime of Achievement Award from the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.

The couple endowed the Blonder Family Department for Special Needs at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta; established Jerry's Habima Theatre, an inclusive theater company featuring actors with disabilities; and created the Blonder Family Gallery dedicated to Southern Jewish History at the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum; for many years, Lois and her family donated generously to many other important organizations via the Blonder Family Foundation.

Mrs. Blonder was also a lover, collector and supporter of the arts, serving on the board of the High Museum of Art and creating two groups with friends, CultureLink and Gals On The Go, that provided art and travel experiences for women.

She was predeceased by her parents, Mildred and Paul Semel; her husband of 52 years, her sons Michael Blonder and Scott Blonder; and her brother, Morton Semel.

She is survived by her children, Dale (Jeff) Dyer and Leslie (Doug) Isenberg; daughter-in-law Suzanne Blonder; grandchildren Kelly Dyer, Robby (Hannah) Dyer, Matt (Hanna) Dyer and Samantha Dyer; Ari Isenberg, Jake Isenberg and Jared Isenberg; Rebecca (Bryan) Varley, Paige (Rob) Kimbrel and Zack (Hannah) Blonder; Eric Estroff and Ashley Sklar; great-grandchildren Molly Dyer, Brooke Dyer, Drake Dyer and Harrison Kimbrel; her sister-in-law, Sandy Semel, and many nieces and nephews and other family.

Donations may be made to the Blonder Family Department for Special Needs or Jerry's Habima Theatre, both at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta; the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum or Weinstein Hospice.

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