Funeral Details

Doris Graff Notarius of Miami passed away Sept. 18, 2017, in Chicago. Doris was born in Chicago on Dec. 1 to Leah and Samuel Graff. She graduated from South Shore High School and attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison before continuing her studies at Roosevelt University, where she met the love of her life, Dr. Morton Notarius. Doris and Mort married on Dec. 18, 1949. Shortly afterward, they moved to Miami where Dr. Notarius began his residency in psychiatry. The couple lived for 40 years in what is now Pinecrest, Fla. and in later years moved to Coconut Grove, Fla. Married for 60 years, until Mort's death in 2010, Doris and Mort's marriage exemplified true partnership, mutual respect, and an intimate and loving friendship. Despite Doris' epicurean prowess - her broiled chicken, homemade salad dressing and moist chocolate chip cake were her guests' most requested fare- the Notariuses and a group of their closest friends started the Non-Gourmet Group some three decades ago. Each month the couples gathered at a different home for potluck non-gourmet dinners that were anything but. An accomplished bridge player, Doris also loved the arts. Her favorites included the Miami City Ballet, Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera. Travel and experiencing other cultures was a passion of Doris and Mort's and for years they visited London every summer. They also loved exploring Italy and took numerous European cruises. After Mort's death, Doris continued that tradition with her two beloved grandchildren, Seth and Julia Rubin. She took each of them, individually, on a European cruise for their respective Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. An avid reader and news-junkie long before the dawn of cable television, Doris was a faithful subscriber to The New York Times and the Miami Herald. She religiously watched CNBC, closely following the financial markets for which she honed a talent for investing. Humble, honest and principled, Doris valued family and friendship above all else. She and her husband were among the earliest members of Temple Beth Am in Pinecrest, Fla., and enjoyed a lifelong friendship with the late Rabbi Herbert Baumgard. In recent years, Doris became a member of Temple Judea in Coral Gables, Fla. In addition to her husband and parents, Doris was predeceased by her brother, Dr. Harry Graff (Ruth). She is survived by her adoring daughters, Susan Notarius (Brad) of Chicago, Amy Rubin (Mark) of Warren, N.J., and her cherished grandchildren, Seth and Julia Rubin. She was also a loving aunt to many nieces and nephews. Service Sunday, 10AM at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd., (at Niles Center Road) Skokie. Interment Zion Gardens. A memorial service in Miami will take place at a future date not yet determined. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Doris' name to the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie, Ill., 60077. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com.