Obituaries

Ravech, Sarah (Ansin), of Newton, MA formerly of Fort Worth, TX, passed away August 25, 2021. Devoted mother of Linda Mesnik and her husband Peter, and Jim Ravech and his wife Kellie. Loving grandmother of Amara Mesnik, Ben Mesnik, Lizzy Mesnik, Lindsay Ravech Moore, Michelle Ravech Kingston, and Katherine Ravech. Proud great grandmother of Aubree Moore, Abbie Rose Moore, Chase Moore, KJ Kingston, and Kohen Kingston. Loving sister of Alane Ansin Youngentob and her husband Gene, and Leonard Ansin and his wife Jane.

Sarah grew up in Boston, MA, raised her family in Fort Worth, TX, and recently moved back to Newton, MA. She was an avid painter and artist, loved working on her jigsaw puzzles, and had a natural green thumb. Sarah was a dedicated volunteer for different mental health and cancer associations. She was recognized as volunteer of the year at the Mental Health Association of Tarrant County. She was a good friend and mentor to friends and neighbors. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.

Services are private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sarah’s memory may be made to 2life Communities, www.2lifecommunities.org

Sharon Ring Knopping, of East Hanover, NJ., August 25, 2021. Beloved mother of Susan Knopping, Jeffrey Knopping, and the late Edward Knopping. Dear grandmother of Rachel Talbert, Gregory Knopping, Ross Talbert, and Jacob Knopping. A private family Graveside Service will be held on Sunday, August 29, 2021. Remembrances in memory of Sharon may be made to Alley Cat Allies, 7920 Norfolk Ave., Suite 600, Bethesda, MD., 20814 or to projectmorry.org/donate.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Barbara Jacobs.

Barbara was born on August 28, 1952, to David and Pearl Jacobs in Sharon, MA. Barbara was the youngest of three children.

Throughout her life Barbara’s focus was devotion to her parents and family. Barbara graduated from Boston University and entered a career in education that lead to elementary teaching positions in Sharon and Delray Beach, FL. Barbara enjoyed her role as an educator and tutored young students privately. Barbara also created jewelry and used calligraphy, producing commercial menus and invitations in her spare time.

In her younger years Barbara was an adventurous daughter, little sister, cousin, and friend living by Lake Massapoag. Barbara was eager to water ski, swim, and skate on that beautiful lake that became the center of an active childhood.

As a devoted daughter, Barbara returned to Sharon to care for her father in his time of need. Barbara and her Mom were always best friends, helping and supporting each other. Each night they told each other short stories to remember family events to end their day. Family and tradition were always the defining centers of Barbara’s life. She always delighted in the news of her family’s adventures and achievements.

Barbara is survived by her mother Pearl of Sharon, brother Jim of Sharon, brother Ron and his wife Linda of Napa, their son Scott and his wife Heather, and their son Oliver of Kenwood, California.

A graveside service will be held at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St, Sharon, MA, where Barbara will be laid to rest near her father, and the aunts and uncles that were so important to her life. Please click here to view a recording of the service.

Bilsky, Edward G. “Ed” of Framingham, MA passed away on August 24, 2021. Devoted son of the late Morton and Lois Bilsky and beloved husband of Susan M. Bilsky. Cherished father of Michela Rosenblum and her husband Zachary Rosenblum.

Ed was a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who devoted his career to the care of his fellow man. He was optimistic and brave throughout his battle with cancer, never losing his wit and sense of humor.

Services are private. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Ed’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

Susan E. Jacobs of Peabody, entered peacefully into rest on Monday, August 23, 2021. Devoted widow of Cyril R. Jacobs, mother to Eric Jacobs and wife Christine and Gary Jacobs and wife Vicki, sister to Linda Minsky, brother-in-law to Alan Minsky, grandmother to Natasha and Piper Jacobs, step-grandmother to EJ Genest, Auntie Susan to Jill Twomey, Adam Minsky, and Robin LaRosa, friend to many, loved and missed by all.

In addition to her family she is survived by dozens of friends, many of whom she knew for over 50 years, who became as family to her.

Susan spent her entire career doing what she loved – nursing. The qualities that made her a good nurse also made her a good mother and a good friend: an innate nurturer, a healer of hurts, a comfort to the sick.

A private graveside service will be held August 25 at Sharon Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Susan’s name to the American Stroke Association, 300 5th Ave., Suite 6, Waltham, MA 02451.

Spielman, Judith (Miller), of Newton, MA, passed away August 21, 2021. Beloved wife of the late Andrew Spielman. Devoted mother of David Spielman and his wife Susan Fay, Deborah Spielman, and Sue Spielman and her husband Steve Spielman. Proud grandmother of Madeline Beeders, Sara Spielman and husband Brandon Cipriani, Jacob Beeders, Samantha Spielman, Julia Spielman, Alexander Spielman, and Maya Beeders. Loving sister of Harold and William Miller.  Among Judith’s many accomplishments she was a Harvard University microbiologist and one of the first female PhD candidates at Johns Hopkins. Graveside services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Judith’s memory may be made to Jewish Family & Children’s Service.

Allen J. Koritz, of Wrentham,  died peacefully on Wednesday, August 18, 2021. Beloved son of Sylvia (Zuckerman) Koritz and the late Harold Koritz. Loving brother of Carla Koritz and the late Karen Koritz-Estock. A private Graveside Service will be held at Sharon Memorial Park on Sunday, August 22, 2021.

Barbara Zetlin Pressman, age 84, of Parkland, FL, formerly of Wellesley and Chestnut Hill, MA, died peacefully on Tuesday, August 17, 2021.

Barbara, a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother is survived by her daughter, Lori Zetlin Rosmarin and her husband Adam Rosmarin of Boca Raton, FL, Eric Zetlin of Reno, NV, and Richard and his wife Leslie Zetlin of Ashland, MA. She is the beloved grandmother of Derek and Renee, Samantha, Taylor, and Jacob Zetlin. Barbara was also a great-grandmother of Palmer Zetlin.

Barbara loved her family. She enjoyed family dinners, watching sports and spending time with friends.  Barbara was an avid Patriots, Celtics and Red Sox fan, attending as many live events as she could for many years. She formerly worked as a bookkeeper at Firestone Financial and then opened her own bookkeeping practice. Barbara loved to travel and visited amazing locations across the country and around the world. Despite the distance separating them over the years, Barbara connected with her grandchildren on a regular basis, wanting to be involved with them as much as possible.

A graveside service will be held on Sunday, August 22, 2021 at 12:00 noon at the City of Boston Lodge Cemetery (American Austrian) 19 Washington St., Woburn, MA 01801.  The livestream is available here.

Shiva will be held Sunday, August 22, 2021 from 3:00 – 8:00 pm at the home of Leslie and Richard Zetlin.

Donations in her memory may be made to TrustBridge Hospice Foundation, 5300 East Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33407 in reference to “Barbara Pressman.”

Schwab, Ellen (Marks), of Waban, MA on August 17, 2021. Beloved wife of Leslie “Les” Schwab. Devoted mother of Zoe M. Schwab and Samuel W. Schwab. Loving sister of Jeffrey Marks. Funeral Services are private. Please contact the funeral home for Shiva gathering information. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parents Helping Parents, www.parentshelpingparents.org

Helen I. (Bernstein) Cook, age 93, former resident of Natick, MA, died peacefully at home, August 14, 2021.  Pre-deceased in 2015 by her beloved husband, Burton Cook. Devoted mother of Marcia Cantor (Barry), Laurie Aaronson (Mark) and Susan Ross (Jonathan). Loving Grammy of Jeremy Cantor (Ali), David Cantor (Brittany), Benjamin Cantor (Arielle), Rebecca Slosberg, Noah Slosberg (Allie), Alex Ross (Alexandra) and Stefanie Ross. Fun-loving Great-Grammy to Asher and Evie Cantor, Charlie and Andi Cantor, Oliver Ross, and Veda Slosberg.

Born in Portland, Maine, July 29, 1928, Helen and Burton raised their family in Quincy, MA, where together they opened Tags Furniture. She was a founder of the Massachusetts Lupus Foundation, on the Board of Directors of Quincy City Hospital, the Quincy Tourism Department, and a Life member of Hadassah and B’Nai Brith.  She and her husband volunteered in Israel for the Israeli Army 3 times. Private graveside funeral with family only, Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at Sharon Memorial Park. Helen had a zest for life and lived every minute to the fullest.  She will be dearly missed by many, most especially her children. Donations in her memory may be made to the Lupus Foundation or the Kidney Foundation. May her memory serve as a blessing to all who knew her.