Obituaries

Florence Gordon-of Manalapan, FL, formerly of Newton Centre, passed away peacefully on September 3, 2020, at the age of 91. Beloved wife of the late David Gordon. Devoted mother of Jim Gordon and his partner Denise Fahmie and the late Michael Gordon. Dear grandmother of Zac, Grace, and Mia Gordon. Also survived by loving nieces and nephews. Dear sister of the late Iris Shapiro and Peter Guttman. Private graveside services at Sharon Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to The West End House Boys and Girls Club, 105 Allston St., Allston, MA 02134.

Bert Levine, of Wayland, MA and Biddeford, ME, formerly of Bridgewater NJ, passed away peacefully at home on August 29th at the age of 79 years old. Bert was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a doting grandfather. He will be forever remembered for his integrity, generosity, and unfailing sense of humor, and he will be deeply missed by the family and friends he leaves behind.

Bert was born in Suffern, NY on May 18, 1941 to Charles and Ruth Levine. He attended New York Military Academy, Colgate University, and St. John’s Law School. His career began as an advance man and a legislative assistant to Gov. Nelson Rockefeller. After law school, he worked on Capitol Hill in several positions, primarily as counsel to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, working mainly on health policy, while he continued to enjoy working on political campaigns.

Bert later moved to New Jersey to join Johnson & Johnson as a lobbyist and eventually became the Vice President of Federal Government Relations. After twenty years working with J&J, he decided to change careers entirely, earned a PhD in political science from Rutgers University, and spent the next part of his life teaching at Rutgers, Colgate, Bucknell, and UPenn. He was the Charles Evans Hughes Fellow in Political Science Emeritus at Colgate University. He authored two books and several articles on lobbying and interest groups including “The Art of Lobbying: Building Trust and Selling Policy” which is still used in college classrooms today. Bert was seriously dyslexic so the fact that he earned both a JD and a PhD was nothing short of miraculous and an example of his great tenacity.

As a frequent blood donor (the literal poster boy for donations) at Johnson and Johnson, as the President of the Martinsville NJ Fire Department, as an active volunteer at the Green Door Behavioral Health Clinic in Washington DC, or traveling to Winnie, Texas to build houses for Habitat for Humanity, civic and charitable contribution and action was a central part of Bert’s life.  He was a man who always chose to do the right thing.

But far more important to Bert than all of his professional and civic accomplishments was his family. He was a deeply loving man who was most happy when he was holding his wife’s hand, watching baseball with his son, talking with his daughter, sharing a meal with his friends, and reading to his grandkids (or “falling” into the swimming pool for their amusement). The love Bert gave will never die.

Bert is survived by his wife of 54 years, Shelly Brown Levine, his daughter and son-in-law Robin and Matt Freeman of Wayland MA, his son and daughter-in-law Michael and Ebony Levine of Houston TX, his five grandchildren: Sawyer, Colby, and Wesley Freeman; and P.J. and Payton Levine, and his beloved Golden Retriever, Junior.

Services will be private. Contributions can be made in Bert’s memory to the Malcolm Isaac Freeman Endowed Scholarship at Colgate University, Hamilton NY https://alumni.colgate.edu/makeagift

Marcia of Framingham, suddenly, on August 27, 2020. Beloved wife of Richard D. Wantman. Devoted mother of Michael of Brookline. Loving sister of Ina Beth Tamir. Also survived by several nieces and nephews and her beloved dog Cole.  A private Graveside Service will be held at Crawford Street Memorial Park. Remembrances in memory of Marcia may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society @ nationalmssociety.org.

Mary Ann Hickey-Of Holliston, on August 19, 2020. Beloved daughter of the late Joseph and Rosalie Hickey. Devoted mother of Laura Falcon. Private graveside services on Thursday, August 27, 2020.

Lloyd I. Turin-Of Framingham,MA,on August 24, 2020. Beloved son of the late Herbert and Eleanor Turin. Dear brother of Peter and Robin. Graveside services are private. Memorial observance at the home of Robin Turin through August 31, 2020. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lloyd’s memory may be made to L’Arche Boston North, 53 Wingate St., Haverhill, MA 01832.

Irma  Vanderpool- 78, of Annapolis MD, formerly of Charlestown, MA, passed away on August 23, 2020 with her daughter by her side. She was born on October 22, 1941, to the late Jacob and Mary Castleman. She graduated from Milton High School and received a Bachelor of Arts from Boston University. She is survived by her daughter Alyssa, son in law Bryan, grandchildren Emalyn and Dylan, brother Howard, nephews Bradley and Brian, and cousin Nancy. Irma dedicated 32 years of service as a Recreation Therapist at the Chelsea Soldiers Home ensuring that the veterans residing there had enriching activities and events to enjoy with their families and the community. In her retirement, Irma was an active member of several social, volunteer, and spiritual organizations. She enjoyed her time assisting with organizing events for the Friends of the Charlestown Library and was an active member of The Sisterhood for Temple Emmanuel. She was an avid animal lover and throughout her life adopted, fostered, and rescued many cats and dogs. Her passions included staying up to date on current events and finding a great sale. Her greatest happiness in life was having the opportunity to spend these last few years close to her daughter and grandchildren. She took such joy in watching her grandchildren grow and discovering their individual personalities. She and Emalyn were especially close sharing a love of clothes, jewelry, and arts. They spent wonderful quality time together and truly shared a deep and loving bond. A small private service will be held this Friday at 10 a.m. at Sharon Memorial Park in Sharon, MA. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Angell Memorial animal hospital in Boston, MA and Temple Emmanuel in Chelsea, MA.

Helene Aisenberg, age 89, of Newton, on August 20, 2020. Beloved wife of the late Murray L. Aisenberg. Loving mother of Renee Beth Aisenberg, Peter Aisenberg (Lauren); proud grandmother of Justin and Dillon. Private Services were held.

Ida Rose Tatelbaum of Dartmouth, MA, formerly of Brockton, MA, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2020, surrounded by family. Beloved wife of the late Matthew Tatelbaum. Devoted mother of Ira Tatelabum and his wife Diane of Quincy, MA, Dr. Ronald Tatelbaum and his wife Shelley of Milton, New York, David Tatelbaum and his wife Jan of South Dartmouth, MA, Nancy Waldman and her husband Stanley of North Dartmouth, MA and Josef Tatelbaum and his wife Grace Wang of South Dartmouth, MA. Loving sister to the late Dolly Federman and the late Moe Rubin. Adored grandmother of Laura, Chip, Evan, Pamela, Kara, Shane, Max, Heather, Spencer, Diem, Lisa, Scott, Everett, Emily, Julianna, Benn, Arielle, Ben, John and Daniel. Proud great-grandmother of Emerson, Quinn, Sophia, Katie, Matthew, Mattea, Phinn, Tyler, Poppy, Sammy and Millie.

Born to parents Israel and Jennie Rubin in Brockton, MA in 1924; Ida lived a life full of passion and ambition. Jennie instilled in Ida values of the old country she brought over from Poland— the importance of Judaism and an appreciation for her ancestors—as well as how to acclimate in America. Israel taught her the importance of hard work and how to pave your own path through his entrepreneurship in opening a leather factory. She experienced the death of her father at the young age of 19 years old who died in her arms. So, as the eldest of three she learned early on how to care for others, an attribute she would carry-on for the rest of her life as a nurse, mother and friend.

She moved to Cambridge in 1942 to attend nursing school because her mother wanted her to marry a doctor. There, she roomed with her lifelong friend Phyllis Solomon, with whom she is now reunited. Upon graduation, she worked as a private duty nurse until she married the love of her life. Though her mother did not approve at first, Ida had no doubts. They married in 1946 and quickly started what would become a family with five children. While they struggled initially, by the time the fourth child was born, Ida and Matthew had become successful entrepreneurs themselves. What started from a little corner clothing store blossomed into a widely-known department store: Mars Bargainland USA. With Ida’s unwavering support and Matthew’s savvy business sense and undeniable charisma with customers, the store went on to occupy 16 locations. She was the rock that balanced it all; whether she was cooking traditional Jewish foods, advising Matthew on how to run the business, or keeping order in the house. Her strength and talents knew no bounds.

Together, she and Matthew accomplished it all. A house full of love and laughter—oftentimes the center of welcomed chaos— and a thriving business. Through it all, they never forgot their roots and devoted time to charity especially in raising money for Israel bonds.

Once retirement replaced the chaos, they spent winters in Boca Raton to finally find some relaxation. That Florida house became the go-to vacation spot for the whole family—children and grandchildren—for years to come. She welcomed everyone with her fun-loving, playful personality that made visits extra special.

As the former captain of her high school team, Ida encouraged Matthew to play tennis. Some of their favorite memories were with their tennis groups in Dartmouth and Florida, couples who played together and more importantly, partied together. She leaves behind two of those friends, Sybil and Bunny. Ida played tennis like she did with everything in life—emblazoned in style and grace.

When Matthew passed in 2005, Ida decided the best way to honor him was to keep the family together. So, she started annual family reunions that are still on-going to this day. Family was the center of their lives. Everything she did was for family. Services are private.

Her life and all of the beautiful memories will always remain as a blessing to us all.

Joel E. Dembling.-Age 66, of Newton, lost his battle with cancer on Sunday, August 16, 2020. Beloved husband of Jane (Fishman) Dembling. Devoted father of Andrew and Sarah. Dear brother of Paul Dembling, Leslie Esteghamati and Julie Cyker. Cherished son of the late David and Adele Dembling. Loving brother-in-law to Nancy Dembling, Michael Esteghamati, Howard Cyker, Gary Fishman and Agi Fishman, Stu and Peg Fishman, Ken Fishman and Wayne Lapinski, and Anne and Jonathan Rand. Beloved uncle and cousin. Infinitely approachable, a treasured friend to so many. Private graveside service at Adath Jeshurun Cemetery, 350 Grove St., West Roxbury, MA. Remembrances may be made to CARING FOR A CURE and mailed to: Mass General Hospital Development Office, Attn: Caring For A Cure, 125 Nashua Street, Boston MA 02114.

Gehr, Ann (Shapiro), of Needham, MA passed away August 13, 2020. Beloved wife of the late Bernard N. Gehr. Devoted mother of Dr. Gerald Gehr and his wife Eloise, and Nancy Goldstein and her husband Steven. Proud grandmother of Aaron (Alison) Goldstein and Jonathan (Stephanie) Goldstein. Adoring great-grandmother of Jordyn, Leah, Levi and Zeke Goldstein. Loving sister of Mollie Rotman and the late Dorothy Shuster. Private graveside services were held. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ann’s memory may be made to Rosie’s Place, 889 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118, Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward St., Newton, MA 02459, or the charity of your choice.