Obituaries

To view livestream of memorial service click here

Gabe Hirshfeld, a master banjoist, dedicated mental health counselor, and beloved friend, son, brother, and uncle, passed away unexpectedly on December 28, 2025, at the age of 36.

Born in 1989, Gabe was known from a young age for his kindness and curiosity. After a few false starts with other instruments, Gabe discovered and developed a singular, lifelong dedication to the banjo. After attending Berklee College of Music, Gabe became a central figure in the Boston bluegrass community, a revered teacher at festivals and camps, and a founding member of The Lonely Heartstring Band. With the group, he recorded two albums and magnetized audiences around the world with his imaginative musicianship and unmistakable humor.

Gabe had a rare gift for making everyone – from fellow virtuosos to first-time pickers – feel seen, heard, and welcome. Anyone anywhere in the world could ask Gabe for advice and he would respond at length, developing lifelong friendships. So much so that when Gabe required a kidney transplant, bluegrass friends and fans around the world offered him theirs.

This gift served him well as he pursued a second calling as a mental health counselor, a role where his own resilience and capacity for quiet kindness allowed him to connect deeply with his clients.

Gabe leaves behind a legacy of art, friendship, and a community made better by his presence.

Gabe is survived by his parents, Alan Hirshfeld and Alexandra (Sasha) Helper; his brother, Josh Hirshfeld; his sister-in-law Laura Fortes; and his niece, Luna Fortes-Hirshfeld.

Service information: A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Temple Beth Shalom, 670 Highland Ave, Needham, MA.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor and further Gabe’s legacy through The Gabe Hirshfeld Memorial Fund, established in partnership with the Boston Bluegrass Union to support the musical education of young banjo players. Tax-deductible donations can be made at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/GabeHirshfeldFund

Anita Abeles, of West Newton, on December 31, 2025.Beloved wife of the late Gerard. Private graveside Services were held in New York.

Pearl Nelson of Newton, on December 31, 2025. Private services will be held on January 3, 2026.

To view the livestream of the funeral service, please click here.

Sharon Schulkind, a devoted educator, beloved grandmother and mother, and a pillar of the Sharon, Massachusetts community for nearly five decades, passed away peacefully at home on December 30, 2025, at the age of 73. Born on October 11, 1952, in Brooklyn and raised in Franklin Square on Long Island, Sharon was a woman defined by her sharp intellect, her caring heart, and a nearly 60-year love story that began when she was just a teenager.

At age 15, Sharon’s life changed forever when she met Richard Schulkind while on vacation. That early spark grew into a lifelong partnership and they were married during her final semester at Queens College and moved to Massachusetts as newlyweds. In 1978, they settled into the Sharon home where they would raise their family and remain for the rest of her life.

Sharon’s professional life was a testament to her versatility and brilliance. She began her career as a software engineer at GTE before choosing to stay home to raise her children, Lisa and Matt. When she returned to the workforce, she transitioned into her true calling, education. With long, impactful tenures at both Montrose School and Walpole High School, as well as many other schools along the way, Sharon taught math and technology. She was particularly known for her patience and skill in working one-on-one with students, ensuring everyone had the support they needed to succeed.

Deeply committed to her community and her faith, Sharon was an active member of Temple Israel. She dedicated much of her time to the Yom HaShoah committee, working to ensure the importance of remembrance was honored and with the Holocaust Stamps Project. 

Sharon retired just before becoming a grandmother. She poured her energy into her three grandchildren, Blake, Maya, and Joni, sharing her love of reading and the tradition of baking Challah with them. Those who knew Sharon will remember her “walking fast” through the neighborhood, kayaking, and her weekly Mahjong and Canasta games with dear friends. She found beauty in the world through her flowers, the sight of hummingbirds, and her signature color, purple.

Sharon was the heartbeat of her family and is survived by her devoted husband, Richard Schulkind; her daughter, Lisa and her husband Paul; and her son, Matt and his wife Hayley. She was the cherished grandmother of Blake, Maya, and Joni. She also leaves behind her sister, Barbara and her husband Edward; her brother, Stanley and his wife Lorie; her sister-in-law, Judith; her nieces and nephews, Daniel, David, Deborah, Justin, Morgan, Jennifer, and Andrew; and a large extended family that she loved keeping in touch with and carefully documented in a detailed family tree. Sharon will be remembered as a smart, friendly, and deeply caring woman who always put her friends and family first. Her legacy lives on in the many students she mentored and the family she adored.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026, at 1:00 pm. in the Chapel at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA 02067.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sharon’s memory to the American Cancer Society.

To view the livestream of the funeral service, please click here.

Anita Charlotte Garfinkle passed away peacefully at the age of 98 on December 25, 2025. She was born in Bangor, Maine on February 21, 1927.

Anita was the daughter of Dora (Cohen) and Harry G. Broder. She was the wife of Charles L. Garfinkle of Mt. Vernon, NY, who predeceased her in 2003, and the mother of Penny Garver of Brookline, MA—a longtime member and board director of Temple Ohabei Shalom—who predeceased her earlier this year.

She is survived by her son Peter Garfinkle and son-in-law Richard Garver; her grandchildren Joshua Garver and wife Bethany, Jennie Garver and partner Jason Lee, Shari Garfinkle, and Elana Titus; and her great-grandchildren Alina and Miralyn Garver, Alexander and Halcyon Garver, and Warren and Ruth Titus. Anita is also survived by many adoring nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Known affectionately as “Nita,” “Teeta,” and later “Grammy” and “Gigi,” she is remembered as an “energetic redhead,” fully engaged with the world around her. Her intelligence, warmth, wit, generosity, and steady encouragement left a lasting mark on those who knew her.

Anita grew up in Bangor in a family deeply involved in creative life. Her mother—whose professional name was Dorothy—was an accomplished pianist, accordionist, director, instructor, and leader of many community and social organizations. Her father, Harry, was a prominent businessman. A 1933 article in the Bangor Daily News described the family as “rehearsing strenuously” as part of their Little Theatre Group, which performed original comedies including The Jewish Word and Counted Out. Performances often featured accordion music, and the family shared their talents with the community. Hospitality was equally valued, with Anita’s parents welcoming people to their summer home at Jewel Point on Pushaw Lake.

At Bangor High School, Anita graduated top of her class and skipped a grade. Her yearbook listed a wide range of activities, including Dramatic Club, Public Affairs Club, Glee Club, YMCA, Latin Club, Debate Club, Girls’ Hockey, and Girls’ Basketball. She served as Literary Editor of the Oracle, participated in junior exhibitions and singing groups, and earned a reputation as a thoughtful leader and lively presence.

Anita graduated in the mid-1940s from Simmons College in Boston and later from the Prince School of Retailing, where she earned the highest honors in her class. At Simmons, she was involved in several campus organizations, including The Academy, an honorary scholastic club, as well as USSA, YMCA, and the Scribunal Club—known for its skits and events that brought together business school students and faculty. Learning was never just a phase for Anita; it was a lifelong pursuit.

In 1947, Anita married Charles Lionel Garfinkle of Mattapan in the Louis XIV Ballroom of the Hotel Somerset in Boston. Together they raised their two children, Penny and Peter, in Newton, Massachusetts, and later moved to Mount Vernon, New York, where Anita resided until her passing. They were married for 56 years, until Charles’s death in 2003 at the age of 79. Family life included stays with children and grandchildren on Block Island, Rhode Island, and later in Longmeadow, Massachusetts.

Professionally, Anita devoted years of service to the United States Social Security Administration. She took pride in her work, bringing her sharp mind, attention to detail, and reliability to her role in public service.

Outside of work, Anita was a member of Mensa and a devoted participant in a book club with friends, enjoying thoughtful discussion and shared reading. Music was another lifelong passion. From 1989 through 2009, the Chaminade Music Club of Yonkers played a central role in her life, where she contributed to the club’s long tradition of musical programming. Anita also held affection for Jewish traditions, particularly during Passover—a time she viewed as one of renewal, promise, and enduring hope for those she loved.

In her later years, Anita embraced the pleasures of travel and companionship, exploring many places, including Egypt, Greece, New Orleans, Seattle, Alaska, and Victoria, Canada. She enjoyed being a tourist, discovering new cultures, and trying different foods with good company.

We will forever hear her voice—full of love, humor, and care—saying “Warm wishes go with you wherever you may go,” “You’re just gorgeous!” and, in her final years, “Aging is not for sissies.” Anita’s legacy lives on in the generations she nurtured, the communities she served, and the many hearts she touched.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 31, at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel at Sharon Memorial Park, with Cantor Maayan Silverman officiating. Interment will follow. Shiva will be observed following the burial, with details available from the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Boston or the Westchester Jewish Community Services.

Beverly Cynthia Baron, aged 85, passed away on December 29, 2025, in Clarkesville, GA.

Born on September 15, 1940, Beverly dedicated over 30 years of her life to her career as a legal secretary. A graduate of Bryant University, she was known for her unwavering encouragement and belief in the importance of perseverance.

Beverly was deeply family-focused, a trait that resonated in every aspect of her life and endeared her to all who knew her.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Michelle Seidling; son, Jeff Baron; son-in-law, Brian Seidling; daughter-in-law, Kim Baron; and her cherished grandchildren, Sarah, Rachel, Leah, Elijah, and Teagan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jacob Baron.

Visitation will be held at Sharon Memorial Park Cemetery, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA 02067  on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at noon, followed by a graveside funeral service at 12:45 PM the same day.

December 30, 1946 – December 28, 2025

Steven Klein, a man known by all as the kindest soul they had ever met, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 28, 2025, just two days shy of his 79th birthday.

Steve was the devoted husband of Edie Klein, with whom he shared 56 years of a beautiful, enduring marriage. Together, they built a life rooted in love, laughter, and family. He was the proud father of Michael Klein (Joy Errico) and Jodi Klein (Cathy Klein).

To his grandchildren—Jackson, Lauren, Aidan, Olivia, Zoe, and Addison—he was a constant source of encouragement and love. He is also survived by his brother, Ron (Faye Klein), and his sister, Amy.

A self-made man, Steve was the owner of Steve’s Quality Catering, a business he built from the ground up and took immense pride in. He took his craft seriously—often jokingly reminding his family that he was the only “officially licensed food handler” among them. While he fed many through his business, his favorite meals were the ones shared with family, especially if they ended with a giant bowl of ice cream.

Steve’s warmth was matched only by his sense of humor. Late in life, he took up golf; while he would be the first to admit he wasn’t particularly good at it, he truly enjoyed the time spent on the course.

Above all, Steve was a “Friend to All.” Whether you knew him for decades or minutes, he made you feel seen and valued. His favorite place to be was on the sidelines of a soccer field. He spent decades cheering loudly for Mike and Jodi, and later, made it to every game he possibly could for his grandchildren. He was, and always will be, his family’s biggest fan.

Service Information
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, December 30th at 10:00 AM at: The S Philip Gopen Welcome Center and Chapel at Sharon Memorial Park 40 Dedham Street, Sharon, MA 02067. Burial will immediately follow.

Memorial Contributions
In honor of Steve’s life and his spirit of kindness, remembrances may be made in his name to the Alzheimer’s Association.

To view the recording of the funeral service please click here.

Dr. Leonard J. Morse died on December 12, 2025, at the age of 96. Leonard will be missed by Maxine, his loving wife of 68 years; his devoted children, Andrew, Jonathan, Michael, and Elizabeth; their spouses, Emy, Elisabeth, Mariska, and Jeff; and eight grandchildren, Ingrid, Audrey, Jacob, Mikayla, Henry, Oliver, Abigail, and Harry.

Born in Worcester, Mass., Leonard dedicated his life to the practice of medicine and the well-being of his community. The first in his family to attend college, he graduated from American International College and the University of Maryland School of Medicine. After his service in the Army, where he was stationed at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Leonard returned home to begin his medical practice in Worcester, serving patients with compassion and expertise. When he retired from private practice, he took on the role of Chief Medical Officer for the community health center in New Bedford, Mass., contributing his vast knowledge and experience.

Given his work as a physician, his expertise in infectious diseases and epidemiology, and his devotion to Worcester, city officials asked Leonard to serve as Worcester’s Commissioner of Public Health in 2002. He left the role in September 2010, at age 81, a retirement that would prove to be his last.

Leonard served as president of the Worcester District Medical Society from 1978-1979, and as president of the Massachusetts Medical Society from 1993-1994. He also served as president of the Boston Medical Library and held leadership roles at the American Medical Association. Leonard was particularly moved when, in 2015, the City of Worcester dedicated a walking path around Elm Park in his honor called the Morse Stroll.

One of the highlights of Leonard’s career came in 1969, when he led the investigation of a hepatitis outbreak that ended the season for the College of the Holy Cross football team. The incident made national headlines, and lessons from it resulted in recommendations that changed public health laws related to drinking water. He often said the event was the most notable moment of his career.

In 2016, Leonard and Maxine moved to the suburbs of Washington, D.C. to be closer to family.

A funeral service will be held at Sharon Memorial Park Chapel, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA 02067 on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 1PM. Family and friends will gather at 4PM the same day at The Mercantile, 2 Mercantile Street, Worcester, MA 01608 to share remembrances. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Scholarship Fund in Leonard’s honor at the Worcester District Medical Society (321 Main St., Worcester, MA, 01608) or the charity of your choice.