Upcoming Services
| Marge Samson |
Sun May 5th at 1:30 IRA KAUFMAN CHAPEL | |
| Edward Grant |
Fri Apr 19th at 3:00 GRAVESIDE |
FUNERAL DETAILS
Margaret Herz Demant
Margaret Herz Demant, 92, of Huntington Woods, Michigan, died on 20 May 2018. The Memorial Service was held at Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit MI 48202 on Saturday, 16 June 2018 at 11:30 AM . The Memorial Service will begin promptly at 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Margaret Herz Demant, business woman, art collector, philanthropist, died peacefully at home May 20th. She was 92. A daughter of Walter and Erna Herz, she was born in Krefeld, Germany in 1926, but spent her early years in Berlin. After Kristallnacht, her parents decided to leave Germany and arranged for Margaret and her younger sister, Ellen to travel to England on the Kindertransport where they stayed with separate Families until there parents joined them in 1939. The following year, the family immigrated to the United States, Settling in Detroit where they had relatives and where Mr. Herz Established Walter Herz Interiors, a design firm. After graduating from high school, Margaret Joined her father's company. In 1947, she married Henry Demant who joined Walter Herz Interiors and together they built it into one of the most prominent interior design businesses in the Midwest. They had two Children, Steven and Laurie. She was a devoted philanthropist and passionate supporter of Detroit Institute of Arts for over 50 years, donating her first numerous gifts in 1986. In 1994, noting her discerning taste and the remarkable personal collection she assembled, Margaret was asked to serve on museum's Collection Committee. She also served on the board of many auxiliaries, notably, friends of African and African American Art and the European Painting Council. She was elected to the Board of Trustees in 1996. In 2004 she was honored with the DIA's Lifetime Service Award. She was also a long-time supporter of Jewish Family Services, and served on their board of directors with a focus on mental health and substance abuse. Other organizations she supported include Jewish Adult Day Care Center, Jewish Resettlement Services, and Project Discovery. Preceded in death by her husband and children, she is survived by her devoted sister, Ellen Kahn, her nephew, Robert (Carolyn Adams), 2 grandnieces, Kira Thompson and Sandra Kahn, 2 grandnephews, Derek Thompson and Vitali Kahn, and her dear friend, Graten Little. She will be missed by her many caring friends and colleagues. It is suggested that those who wish to further honor the memory of Margaret Herz Demant may do so by making a contribution to: Detroit Institute of ArtsClick to Visit Charity Website or Jewish Family ServiceClick to Visit Charity Website |