Obituaries

Minna C. Katz, 95 of E. Walpole, MA, formerly of Sharon, MA, passed away on February 19, 2022. Minna was born in Fitchburg, MA on November 24, 1924, to Benjamin and Florence Cofman. She was a graduate of Simmons College with a degree in Nutrition. She was happily married for 68 years to Sidney Katz until his death in 2019.

She is survived by her sons Andy, Gerry and his wife Nichole Cirillo, and Ron and his wife Diane, as well as his grandchildren Jen, Ben, Alex and Mark Katz,  her loving sister Lucille (Babsy) Krichmar and loving brother Burton and his wife Alice Cofman. A longtime resident of Sharon, MA and Newton Centre, MA, she’ll be missed by countless individuals whose lives she knew and touched.

A graveside service will be held at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA, on February 22, 2022, at 1:45pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Minna’s memory may be made to the Friends of Sharon Public Library.

Goldberg, Vivian Clayton, Age 98, of Hull, MA, passed away February 19, 2022. Beloved wife for 58 years of the late Herbert Goldberg. Adored mother of Debra Goldberg, and Norman Goldberg and his wife Suzanne. Inspiring grandmother of two, and great-grandmother of four. Viv was a child of the roaring 20’s, with a spirit that matched the era. Upheavals of the Great Depression and World War II further shaped her intrepid yet gentle devotion to family, work, and community. After raising her family she defied her generation’s expectations that a woman’s place was solely in the home and by her husband’s side. She managed all that, while also managing a large residential apartment building. For decades, she deftly made better her tenants’ lives, only semi-retiring in her 90’s. Viv will be remembered as a role model-showing rather than just telling all that is possible, and good-naturedly daring us to match her energy and wit, determination, and common sense. Graveside service at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 1:45 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Viv’s memory may be made to Emmaus Inc., 127 How St., Haverhill, MA 01830, or to the Lenny Zakim Fund, 33 Arch St., Boston, MA 02110.

To view the service recording please click here.

Bloom, Jerome “Jerry” of Canton, formerly of Newton, on February 15, 2022. Predeceased by his wife, Ella (Bootin) Bloom. Father of Jonathan Bloom (Frances Goldstein), and Shelah Bloom. Stepfather of Arnee Winshall (Walter), Janice Goldstein (Stanley) and Julie Tolkin. Grandfather of Jacob Bloom, Hasan and Rehan Bhatti, Sarah and Aaron Winshall, Aaron Goldstein (Jessica), Louis Goldstein (Melissa), Joshua Goldstein (Traci), Aaron Tolkin (Dena), Corey Tolkin, Danielle Tolkin, and Samuel Tolkin and his wife Jackie. Great-grandfather of Elizabeth, Alexandra, Isaac and Oliver Tolkin, and Ethan, Zachary, Lev and Cameron Goldstein. Brother of the late Stanley Bloom and his wife Arlene. Uncle of Valerie Bloomberg (Mark) and Evan Bloom (Susan). Graveside service at Sharon Memorial Park, Thursday, February 17, 2022, at 10:45 am. Masks required. No in-person shiva. Donations may be made to Jewish Community Day School, Attn: JCDS Boston, 57 Stanley Ave., Watertown, MA 02472, Chabad of Canton, 580 Washington St., Canton, MA 02021, or Orchard Cove, C/O Staff Engagement Fund, 1 Del Pond Dr., Canton, MA 02021.

SHIVA MINYAN ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17  FROM 7:30-8:30 p.m.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8322754888?pwd=ZDl4YjRkZEtISTBESVlHV05qMEg3Zz09

Edith Huddie Ravelson, 95, of Milton, MA, formerly of Worcester, MA, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.  She was born June 16, 1926, to Samuel and Anna Lyon.  She is survived by her older brother Irving Lyon and was the sister of the late Sumner Lyon and Sylvia Lyon.  She was happily married for 66 years to Harold Ravelson until his death in 2014.

She is survived by her sons Bob Ravelson and his wife Maxine Milstein and Bruce Ravelson and his wife Francine. Dear Bubbie of Kai Madden and her husband Sean Madden, Tyler Ravelson and his wife Rosemary Ravelson, and Sam Ravelson and his wife Kerrie O’Brien. Loving great-grandmother of Matthew and Ellie Ravelson.

She was famous for her hospitality and her door was always open to family and friends. Edith was well known for her beautiful outfits and her fabulous food and pastries.  She was a lifelong MahJong player, an avid gardener, and a cultivator of orchids. She brightened the laundry room at Fuller Village with all the extra orchids she couldn’t fit into her apartment.  She managed a men’s clothing store in Worcester for 20 years, was a volunteer at the Red Cross in Worcester for 18 years, and was a lifelong member of Beth Israel Synagogue.

Edith requested that any donations should be made to the charity of one’s choice.  Private services will be held.

Ronna L. Kaplan, nee Small, age 69.  Beloved wife of Edward S. Kaplan; devoted daughter of Naomi (Newman) and the late Melvin Small; cherished mother of Adam (Colleen) and Matthew (Julia) Kaplan; loving grandmother of Jordan, Andrew and Harriet; dear sister of Jane (John) Devecis, Debra Small, Howard (Diane) Small, and Joseph (Judy) Small; fond aunt of many nieces and nephews.  Graveside funeral Wednesday, February 16, 2022, 12:00 noon, at Congregation B’nai Brith Cemetery, MA-128, Peabody, MA.   Contributions in Ronna’s name to the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin, would be appreciated.

To view livestream of funeral service on Monday, February 14, 2022 at 2pm click here

Melissa Stuchins passed away peacefully on February 10, at the age of 47 with her parents and brother at her side.  She was a resident of Framingham, Massachusetts and formally of Natick, Massachusetts.  Melissa was a graduate of Natick High School class of 1992 and a graduate of Framingham State College class of 1996.  She was born with Neurofibromatosis and was diagnosed with hydrocephalus at age 5 undergoing numerous surgeries, procedures and shunt revisions in her lifetime.  Throughout all these challenges she was respected and admired by family and friends for her grit, tenacity, and her ability to fight.

Melissa was an avid reader, learning how to read at a very young age, she never could put a good book down.  She was a compassionate and caring daughter, sister, aunt and friend who found a passion for food and cooking later in life. Losing her older brother to cancer when she was just twelve years old, Melissa took tremendous pride in participating in numerous Jimmy Fund walks, walking half marathons to raise money and awareness for Cancer Fundraising and Research.  She loved being an 80’s kid, watching her favorite shows, listening to Billy Joel and taking pride in attending nineteen of his concerts.  She loved her nieces and nephew, and they will always remember her wanting to play games, take selfies and show them new games on her phone.

Melissa was preceded in death by her brother Alan and is survived by her parents Marion and Burt, brother Michael, his wife Melissa, nieces Abby and Izzy and nephew Ethan.  Melissa will forever be remembered and missed by all who loved her.

A private funeral service will be held for immediate family only on Monday, February 14, 2022 at 2pm. Donations may be made to The Jimmy Fund P.O Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284 or charity of your choice.

To view the service recording please click here.

Retired First Justice of The Norfolk County Probate and Family Court

David H. Kopelman of Chestnut Hill passed away peacefully at home on February 8, 2022 from complications of leukemia at age 83. Born in Cambridge, MA, to Ruth (Koritsky) Kopelman and Judge Frank Kopelman, David was a graduate of Boston Latin School, Harvard College, and Harvard Law School.

David Kopelman was the First Justice of the Norfolk Probate and Family Court. He was appointed to the bench in 1981 by Governor King. Prior to his appointment, Judge Kopelman worked for Herlihy and O’Brien where he specialized in family and probate law. Few other judges authored as many landmark decisions as Judge Kopelman over his nearly thirty years on the bench. His decisions in cutting-edge cases, whether upheld or reversed, established legal principles that endure and will guide lawyers and litigants in the Commonwealth into the future.

He is remembered as a judge for his fairness, his infallible sense of humor, his ability to clearly explain his reasoning in his written decisions, and his mastery of both domestic and probate sides of the court. Even more so, he will be remembered for his dedication to countless other judges, lawyers, and co-workers whom he took great pride in mentoring over the years. His retirement banquet was attended by over 500 people and he was a much-loved figure in Boston legal circles, serving as a mediator for Bams mediation service after retirement from the bench.

His devotion to his profession and peers was only eclipsed by his devotion to his family. He leaves behind his loving wife Susan Heifetz Kopelman; his three adoring children: Dr. Elizabeth Kopelman Borgwardt and Kurt Borgwardt, Dr. Gail Kopelman Serruya and Dr. Mijail Serruya, Dr. Andrew Kopelman and Dr. Mona Jain; seven grandchildren Eva Borgwardt, Jay Borgwardt, Sophie Serruya, Samuel Serruya, Lyla Serruya, Nava Kopelman and Ravi Kopelman; his twin brother Arie L. Kopelman, and numerous nieces and nephews. A younger brother, Robert Kopelman predeceased Judge Kopelman.

David loved studying and caring for animals, including legions of family pets. A highlight for him was a trip to South Africa where he could observe many of the species that had always fascinated him in the wild. He loved skiing in Colorado, golfing in Florida, and eating any kind of crustacean – especially shrimp and lobster.

David brought his sense of humor to most of his interactions. Some good friends date back to elementary school and junior counselor days at camp Tevya. They knew they could count on David for anything, and David knew he could count on them to continue laughing at his retold jokes.

As his wife of 53 years, there are so many things I will miss about my husband. His mind was incredibly clever and insightful, and so we engaged in countless provocative conversations. Perhaps most of all, I will miss David’s sense of humor, which infused our life with joy and playfulness that I will miss terribly.

Services at Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward St., Newton, MA on Sunday, February 13, 2022, at 2 pm, masks required. Interment to follow at Crawford St. Memorial Park, 776 Baker St., West Roxbury, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations in Judge Kopelman’s memory may be made to Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, c/o Hillel International ATTN: Gift Operations, 800 8^th St. NW, Washington, DC 20001, or Friends of the Israeli Defense Forces, PO Box 4224, NY, NY 10163.

Fritz Samuel Noymer (né Neumetzger)

24 November 1923 – 6 February 2022

On 6 February 2022, Fritz S. Noymer passed away peacefully, aged 98, in his home in Weston, Massachusetts, where he had lived for over 51 years.  He was born in November 1923 in Karlsruhe, Germany.  In November 1937, Fritz fled Nazism and came to the United States with his parents and two younger brothers, Arthur and Bernard.  The Neumetzger family settled in Brookline, and Fritz graduated Brookline High School and Boston University.  His education at BU was interrupted by service in the US Army during the second world war, during which he served as a lieutenant in the Medical Corps.  During the war, his father Eugene would change the family (and business) name to Noymer, to make it less German-sounding, due to wartime anti-German sentiment.  Fritz followed suit, legally changing his surname to Noymer after his military discharge.  In 1964, after a two-year courtship, he married Luciana Simor.  His lifelong career was in the family business, Noymer Leather Goods, started by his father, from which he retired in 1997 as president.  He traveled the world for business and pleasure.  Fritz was a devoted husband, and loving father and grandfather.

Fritz had many interests, including art and classical music; he was a strong supporter of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.  He was an avid gardener, and every weekend could be found in his garden, getting exercise through constant transplanting of shrubs and meticulous maintenance of the property down to the last leaf.  In his retirement, among other garden projects, he created a Japanese-style garden in his yard.  Fritz also enjoyed skiing, both cross-country and downhill.  In the 1960s, he would go spring skiing on Mount Washington’s Tuckerman’s Ravine, and he continued downhill skiing into his early 80s.  In the aftermath of the “Blizzard of ‘78,” he donned cross-country skis in search of an open store for milk.  He was a voracious reader of nonfiction books, especially history.  He leaves Luciana, his wife of 57 years, two children, Erica, of Lowell, Mass., and Andrew, of Irvine, Calif., as well as former daughter in law Ndola Prata of El Sobrante, Calif., and his granddaughter, Neia Prata of Oakland, Calif.  Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to Jewish Family & Children’s Service, Waltham, Mass. https://www.jfcsboston.org/  There will be a small graveside remembrance and burial in Linwood Cemetery, Weston, on Wednesday 9 February 2022 at noon.  Due to covid, an outdoor memorial will be planned for the summer.

Barker, Eleanor “Ellie” (Posner), of Framingham, MA, formerly of Brookline, MA, passed away February 7, 2022. Devoted mother of Wendi Dellemonico and her husband Michael, and Lisa Barker. Proud grandmother of Jennifer, Adam, and Nicole Dellemonico. Graveside service at Framingham-Natick Jewish Cemetery, on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ellie’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN, 38105. A link to make donations online can be found here.

A recording of the funeral service can be found here.

Dr. Morris A. Diamant, age 68, died Saturday, February 5, 2022 in his home in Lexington, MA. He was a much beloved husband for over 45 years to Lisa, who was holding his hand as he passed away. Morris was predeceased by his parents, H. Gabriel Diamant and Sylvia Chester Diamant. Morris was a very devoted father to his son, Sam and daughter, Julia, and her fiancé, Maya.  He adored his granddaughter, Layla, Sam’s daughter.  Morris leaves behind his sister, Ann and brother in law, Joe Berlin, his brother, Ira and sister in law, Chari Smith Diamant as well as niece, Kathryn and partner, Mary.   Morris enjoyed spending time with his extended family of cousins and very dear friends of many years.

Morris grew up in Bayside, Queens, NY and then attended Cornell University, Class of 1974.  He met Lisa on her third day at Cornell during a Hillel gathering.  They attended many Cornell reunions together for both the classes of 1974 and 1976.

After Cornell, he attended New York Medical College, graduating in 1978 and continued to be active in the alumni association for many years.

In 1978, he joined Massachusetts General Hospital as an Intern and Resident in Radiology.  He joined Suburban Radiology working at Symmes Hospital, Somerville Hospital, and offices in Lexington and Arlington.  Then he joined Brigham Community Radiology until his retirement.

“Mo”, as he was called in Lexington, was a dedicated member of the Temple Emunah Brotherhood of Lexington, and The Federation of Jewish Mens Clubs.  He worked tirelessly on so many projects and events throughout the years and made many friends.

Lisa and Morris traveled a great deal and particularly enjoyed cruising all over the world for many years.  They had so many wonderful experiences together. We give thanks to the support from the Temple Emunah community.

We are so grateful for the care that Morris received at the MGH Cancer Center and give thanks to Dr. Donald Lawrence and his caring team for their incredible care.

Graveside service at Beit Olam East Cemetery, 42 Concord Rd., Wayland, MA on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at 2 pm. Shiva will be held at the Diamant Residence following services until 9 pm, Minyan at 7:30 pm. Shiva will continue via Zoom on Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Temple Emunah Brotherhood of Lexington or the charity of one’s choice.

Services by Brezniak Funeral Home:

Special thanks to Nathan Patrick for his kindness.