Shirley I. Fair

Blessed SHIRLEY I. FAIR – passed peacefully in the early dawn hours of Monday May, 19th 2025 - succumbing to a brief illness.   Daughter of Leon and Celia Zuckerberg, Step-daughter of Zalman Zylbercweig, Beloved widow of Benjamin Fair, mother of Laura Drexler and Ron Fair, mother-in-law of David Drexler and Stefanie Fair, Grandmother of Jonathan Drexler, Justin Drexler, Ellington Fair, Ella Fair, London Fair and Rocky Fair, Great-Grandmother of Mason Drexler, Chloe Drexler, Jaxon Drexler. 

The wind beneath Shirley I. Fair’s wings was love of music and theatre – the daughter of Yiddish actors traveling the world that performed classic plays in repertory.   Shirley lost her father Leon as a five-year old, and although born in Baltimore, she spent her first 18 years in Mexico City; speaking Spanish, Yiddish, and eventually English.  Her young widowed mother – the beautiful actress Celia – sustained herself and young daughter as the owner-operator of a hat shop.  Ultimately, Mother and Daughter would move to New York City – where the clever Shirley introduced her mother to Zalman – an esteemed author, journalist and broadcaster.  The events of the day brought the family to Los Angeles, where Zalman and Celia established the longest running daily Yiddish radio broadcast in history – “The Yiddish Hour.”  It aired on K-ALI – AM radio five-days-a-week for 25 years.     Their home in Los Angeles was filled with the colorful personalities and characters that survived World War 2’s atrocities, those who miraculously found a way to flourish and thrive in the Fairfax district of Los Angeles.

Shirley was a grand musician and avid pianist.  She had a unique ability to play any song she knew – totally by ear.  Even in her waning years; Shirley performed monthly concerts at The Village in Sherman Oaks.  The great love story of Ben and Shirley Fair began at a concert in the early 1950’s - – a raucous and rude audience was oblivious to the stunning young woman playing Chopin on the stage – but she caught the eye of the handsome young Benjamin Fair.  They drenched their life with Opera, classical music, concerts at the Hollywood Bowl – Ben - himself an operatic singer and musician. 

Together – in homes throughout Los Angeles – Mar Vista, Westwood, Sherman Oaks, and Encino – they raised a daughter and a son against the backdrop of a changing world – the placid 50’s that became the turbulent 60’s and the transitional 70’s.  Music was always number one in the Fair home….a home filled with friends singing Broadway show tunes at the top of their lungs, Mexican food, heated conversations about the politics of the day, a white standard poodle jumping in the pool, girl scouts, Indian guides, training wheels and gin martinis after work.

Later… she managed a music agency that dominated what was once known as “the casual” business – any wedding, bar mitzvah, sweet 16, New Year’s party that had live musicians – was booked by Shirley I. Fair.  Her family roots began in Poland – to Argentina – to New York – to Mexico – Back To New York – to California. She was a great friend, a gentle, innocent, decent woman with a taste for perfectionism.  On birthdays, graduations, weddings, Hanukkah, whatever the occasion, she was a great writer-of-greeting cards.  She ended every single card – through the years- with the expression – “Today, Tommorrow, and Always.”

The last great phase of Shirley’s life was spent in Encino with her beloved husband of sixty-plus years, Ben – where together they blasted opera records, ate together, loved each other and will no doubt - land in each other’s arms again in Heaven. 

In honor of Shirley, and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Jewish Healing and Hospice Center of Los Angeles – jhcla.org