Meri Finanser Benezra Bryant

Meri Finanser Benezra Bryant, 85, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, widow of Richard Harrison Bryant, entered into eternal rest Sunday, January 31, 2016. A graveside service will be held Monday, February 1, 2016, in Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Cemetery, Huguenin Avenue, at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., MOUNT PLEASANT CHAPEL.

Meri was born January 23, 1931 in Istanbul, Turkey, daughter of the late Albert Finanser and Zelda Siva Finanser. Mary was active in numerous Ladino and Judeo-Spanish organizations. She was a Suma Cum Laude Bachelor of Arts graduate of Salem College, 1995, and a graduate of Wake Forest University with a Masters in Liberal Studies in 2002. She was an artisan and craftsman working with embroidery, knitting , along with being a jeweler, writer and an amazing chef. She was a wonderful mother with a huge heart and a member of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Congregation.

She is survived by her children, Ben Chernys and his wife Geni Abdulle of Calgary, Canada; Deborah Zelda Bryant of Mt. Pleasant, SC; Paul Albert Bryant of Chester, SC; sister, Ayten Levi of Mexico City, Mexico; 3 grandchildren, Serena Chernys, Miles Owen Bryant, Leila Chernys; cousin Guler Orgun and a niece Emel Istiroti. Meri was predeceased by the mother who raised her, Estrea Finanser.