By Karen Andrew
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Bertha "Bert" Graller gave her time, energy and leadership skills to numerous Jewish organizations in Cincinnati throughout her life.

She was the first woman board member of United Jewish Cemetery, president of the sisterhood of the Isaac M. Wise Temple, devoted more than four decades of volunteering to Jewish Hospital and served on many other Jewish community boards.

In 1993, at age 80, she received the Robert V. Goldstein Volunteer Award of the Jewish Federation and the Jewish Hospital's Friedlander Award.

"She was one of the most spirited people I've known," said Cincinnati lawyer Stanley M. Chesley, who has been a friend of Mrs. Graller and her family since his childhood.

"She was a wonderful, wonderful person. Bert always had time and compassion for senior citizens and people in the Jewish community, as well as the general community. She was warm-hearted."

Mrs. Graller died Dec. 31 at Cedar Village Retirement Home in Mason after a long illness.

The Cincinnati resident was 89.

Mrs. Graller, whose other nickname was "Honey," was born in 1913 to Ida and Ben Chasanov of Newport. She graduated from Hughes High School in Cincinnati and worked at the Hamilton County courthouse while attending evening classes at the University of Cincinnati.

In 1935, she married Dr. David L. Graller, a Cincinnati internist.

While raising two daughters, Mrs. Graller became involved in many organizations.

She was a member of the board of the former Glen Manor Home for the Aged, where she was founder and member of the Friends of Glen Manor fund-raising organization. She served on the boards of the Jewish Federation, Jewish Family Service and the Jewish Community Center.

She was a member of the Jewish Hospital auxiliary organization for more than 50 years.

In 1959, Mrs. Graller was president of the sisterhood of Isaac M. Wise Temple. During the 1960s, she was president of Brandeis University Women's Committee, which helped raised funds for the Brandeis University library in Waltham, Mass.

Her devotion to helping Jewish Hospital's various causes was legendary.

"(Mrs. Graller) committed 43 years of her life to the Jewish Hospital Auxiliary. In winning the hospital's most prestigious award, the Friedlander Award (in 1993), she was described as presenting the finest attributes of the hospital," said the hospital's former chief operating officer, Michael Coler of Hyde Park.

An avid golfer, Mrs. Graller was a longtime member of Crest Hills Country Club and played in the intercity country club golf league. She played the piano at charitable functions and loved to perform. She was also a public speaker.

Her husband died in 1989.

Survivors include a sister, Evelyn Buchman of Amberley Village; two daughters, Edie Slotkin of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and Susie Louiso of Mount Adams; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Services have been held.

Memorials: Bert and David Graller Memorial Fund, Jewish Hospital, 4777 E. Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236-2814.

E-mail kandrew@enquirer.com