Obituaries

Zona Hoffman passed peacefully on April 25, 2021 surrounded by her husband of 56 years and four daughters.

Born on June 10, 1937 in Los Angeles, CA to Zeone (Noah) and Joseph Alonzo Howard, she spent her high school years swimming competitively in Florida and spent her summers at the family resort in Wisconsin.

After graduating from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, she moved to Boston, MA where, while working
as a graphic designer, she met the love of her life, Martin B. Hoffman, on a blind date. Together, they enjoyed traveling
and gathering with friends, proudly raised their four daughters and cherished time spent with their grandchildren.

Zona is survived by her beloved husband, Martin Hoffman, of Needham, MA, loving daughters Leah Morris and her husband John of Wellesley, MA; Ilene Hoffman and George B. Rogers of Hillsborough, CA; Jeryl Golub and her husband Jeff of Bellaire, TX; Miriam Tinkham and her husband Brian of Studio City, CA; grandchildren Taylor, Callen, Bennett, Lawson and Layne Morris, Orly, Olivia and Asher Golub, along with many nieces, nephews and their families. She leaves behind a legacy of love and family who will miss her dearly.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Zona’s memory may be made to Spaulding Rehabilitation Network. https://spauldingrehab.org

KARLIN, ELAINE entered into rest on April 21, 2021 on Bay Harbor Islands, Florida. Burial took place at Sharon Memorial Park in Sharon, Massachusetts.

Elaine was the daughter of the late Ruth and Abe Blaustein. She is survived by her husband Mark, sister Deanna (Ted) Spielberg, niece Alissa (Sean O’Donnell) Spielberg, sister-in-law Laurie Wolin, devoted nurse TaTa Jefferson, and numerous cousins and lifelong friends.

Mark will be sitting shiva at his New York residence on Friday, April 30, from 2-7 pm and Sunday-Wednesday, May 2-5, from 2-7 pm.
Elaine attended the prestigious Hunter College high school in New York City.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hunter College High School Alumnae/-i Association Gifts can be made online here: https://www.hchsaa.org/donate and in the comments box donors can indicate that the gift is in Elaine’s memory, or they can be mailed to:

Hunter College High School Alumnae/i Association
Hunter College East, Room 1313B
695 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10065

Or Feed More WNY at:

Feedmore  WNY Foundation

PO Box 5163 Buffalo, NY 14240

Hellerman, Susan (Talent), died on April 20, 2021 in Chevy Chase, MD. Formerly of Chicago and New York, an avid storyteller, equestrian, and music lover with a wicked sense of humor. Beloved wife of the late Don V. Hellerman, M.D.  Devoted mother of John Hellerman (Stephanie) and the late Brett Hellerman (Coleen). Proud grandmother of Alissa, Jack, Mark, Julianna, and Klee. Dear aunt of Debra Haluska and the late Lloyd Marcus. Proud great-aunt of Danny Haluska and Frank Haluska. Survived by her loving sister Sheila Rubin (Harvey) and many dear siblings. Graveside service at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA on Friday, April 23, 2021 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to to Jewish War Veterans, 1811 R Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009.

Smith, Murray H., of Medford, MA, passed away April 18, 2021. Beloved husband of Rosalyn (Bereznick) Smith for nearly 66 wonderful years. Devoted father of Dr. Steven Smith of Newton, MA, Todd Smith and his wife Jill of Waterboro, ME, and Gail Miller and her husband Bruce of Colchester, CT. Proud grandfather of Gabriella, Adina, Lily, and Ilon Smith, and Aaron & Samuel Miller. Murray was born in Malden, MA January 16, 1929 to the late Thomas and Mollie (Gale) Smith along with his siblings Edna, Sidney, Richard, and Burton. He graduated from Roxbury Memorial High School and Boston University School of Management. Murray was a US Army veteran of the Korean War. He was well-known within the advertising community of Greater Boston, where he was a fixture in radio sales for many years, before opening his own advertising agency. He was a longtime member of Temple Shalom of Medford. Murray loved to travel, dining out, and reading, but his greatest joy was spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. Due to current restrictions, funeral services are private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Murray’s memory may be made to Temple Shalom of Medford, 475 Winthrop St., Medford, MA 02155.

Williams, Michele B. (Haffer-Saftler), of Hyde Park, MA, passed away suddenly on April 16, 2021. Beloved wife of Warren Mark Williams. Devoted mother of Carol (Saftler) Beane and her husband Martin, and Connie (Saftler) Cyprian and her husband Tony. Loving step-mother of Keith Williams and his wife Lori. Dear grandmother of Kaitlyn, Jacob, Andrew, Sam, Mason, Sheri, and Hunter. Michele was a proud great grandmother. Graveside service at Knollwood Memorial Park, 321 High St., Canton, MA on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Michele’s memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 260 Cochituate Rd. #200, Framingham, MA 01701.

A link to view the funeral service can be found here.

Gita Finsen (nee Brigitte Alma Mathilde Landauer), January 12, 1923–April 14, 2021. Resident of NewBridge on the Charles, Dedham, MA, formerly of Newton and Wayland. Born in Cologne, Germany, she was the daughter of the late Ernst and Ellen (Metz) Landauer. She fled Germany with her mother, brother (the late Ulrich Landauer) and her late uncle Heinz Metz and family in 1933 when persecution of Jews became official German policy and they were threatened. They waited in Switzerland until obtaining the very limited quota visas the US made available to Jews, and could then rebuild their lives in New York.

Gita attended Riverdale Country School for Girls (NY), Wheaton College (MA), and took courses at Simmons College and Boston University. After retirement as a junior high librarian in Newton, she became a successful real estate agent in Wayland.

Gita was active in community service including many years of volunteer work for the PTA, League of Women Voters, Sisterhood of Temple Shalom, and Newton-Wellesley Hospital where she was honored for her decades of service. She loved gardening, opera, long walks, reading, and puzzle games—especially besting her family at Scrabble. She will be remembered for her calm and steady approach to challenges, her generosity and dependability, and her ability to get along with everyone.

She was the beloved wife for fifty years of the late Irving Finsen, who died in 1995, and is survived by two daughters: Susan and Jill, both of Washington, DC; two sons: Peter (Myrna) of Marietta, GA and Lawrence (Susan) of Arroyo Grande, CA; two grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and loving nieces and nephews.

Services and burial at Sharon Memorial Park are private. Gita’s family is very grateful for the many years of dedicated, competent, and loving service by NewBridge employees. Donations in her memory may be made to the NewBridge Scholarship Fund, c/o Len Green (Treasurer), 4317 Great Meadow Road, Dedham, MA 02025—this fund supports staff seeking further education to advance their careers.

Bette Ann Barenholtz Gerber, 91, passed away on April 13, 2021 at home peacefully.  She leaves her three children, Neal Gerber and his wife, Regina of Ashland, MA; Jill Appell of Marlboro, MA; Dana Gerber of Foxborough, MA; three grandchildren including, Sara, Ben, and the late, Jesse; 2 great grandchildren including, Jaxon and Rylee.  She was the wife of the late, Jack Gerber who passed away on June 7, 2018.  Bette was born in Boston, MA on September 8, 1929; the daughter of Jacob and Julia Barenholtz.  She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.  She loved her family and friends before anything else.  Bette worked at Bloomingdales for 35 years and loved her job; in addition, loved to shop.  For additional leisure, Bette loved traveling with friends, spending quality time with family, playing cards, her stationary bike, and always loved being on the go. Bette loved to laugh and she also was known to make the very best matzo ball soup ever.  She will be sorely missed and forever in our hearts.  Private burial at Sharon Memorial Park. Donations in her memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 330 Congress St., 5th Fl. Boston, MA 02110.

Rubin, Herbert “Hutchkie”, of Medford, MA, passed away peacefully at home April 12, 2021. Beloved husband of Esther (Goldstein) Rubin for 72 wonderful years. Devoted father of Michael Rubin and his wife Diana, and Paula Allen and her husband Harvey. Cherished grandfather of Matthew Rubin and his wife Ashley, Jennifer Rubin, David Rubin and his wife Maria, and Max Levine. Proud great-grandfather of Charles and Jacob Rubin. Loving brother of the late Pauline, Jeannette, Harry, Frank, Bertha, Bessie, Myer, Celia, Mildred, and Allen. Herbert and his brothers owned Adrian’s Fabrics in Medford, MA for 63 years. He loved his family unconditionally, often mentoring his grandchildren to success. He was the most loyal friend to the ones he loved. The love he gave was equal to the love he received, this was his greatest investment. There is a hole in the world where he stood. A private graveside service will be held at Sharon Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations in Herbert’s memory may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284.

Brown, Edith (Giss), of Stoughton, MA, formerly of Norwood, MA, a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and friend to all whose lives she touched, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2021.

Edith was married to the late Murray Brown, the love of her life, for 71 wonderful years. Devoted mother of Evie Cotter, Pam Miller and her fiancé Geno, and Allison Boyland and her husband Mark. Cherished grandmother of Carrie Gilder and her husband Kye, Matt Cotter and his wife Dyanna, Sydney Obolewicz and her husband Ryan, Benjamin Miller and his wife Cai Long, Alex Miller, and Alyssa Boyland. Proud great-grandmother of Bryce, Brock, Kaylee, Brinley, Delaney, and Rivers. Loving sister of Harriet Bern, and the late Beverly Ware. Edith leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Edith was a lover of the arts – writing poems, reading books, listening to music and dancing. She was an amazing baker surprising all those she loved with cakes for every occasion. Edith and Murray shared a passion for traveling but most important, being together. They especially loved their trips to Ossipee, New Hampshire.

Edie cherished the company of her friends and family. She loved to bring people together and stayed in touch with friends from years past, including her extended family at Camp Young Judea and Camp Naticook. She was a rare combination of someone who had a love of life and a firm understanding of what was important — the simplicity of living a life with those you love around you.

Edith will forever be remembered by her beautiful smile, caring heart, loving embrace, and unconditional love. We will miss this vibrant, strong woman every day, especially when reading a book, taking a swim, watching a sunset, baking a cake, or enjoying an adventure out in the world she loved so much. Everyone was blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Edie during her years.

Due to current restrictions, services are private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Edie Brown’s memory may be made to Birthright Israel Foundation, P.​O. B​ox 21615, New York, N​Y 10087, or the charity of your choice.