Obituaries

Lois (Aronson) Stone, age 91, of Haverford, PA, formerly of Brookline and Falmouth, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2019. Beloved wife of the late Theodore Stone. Loving mother of Robert Stone (Paula), Judith Stone Macnow (Glen), Deborah Stone (Robert Graff). Cherished grandmother of Theodore and Emily Macnow, Alexander Stone Renner Macnow and Nathan Macnow Renner-Johnson, Andrew Stone, Nicole Stone and fiance Jordan Shapiro, Noah Graff, and David Graff. Loving great-grandmother of Carl, Ben and Evelyn. Lois was pre-deceased by her parents, Alice and Charles Aronson, and siblings, Robert Aronson and Joan Rubin.

Of Framingham, formerly of Jamaica Plain, on March 29, 2019. Beloved wife of Robert E. Ricles. Devoted mother of Alicia Phillips, Diana Phillips, and Edward Phillips. Loving grandmother of Shama, Leela, and Sofia. Dear sister of Stanley Shalet. Services at Temple Israel, 477 Longwood Ave. (parking on the Riverway), Boston, Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at 11:00 am. Memorial observance at the home of Robert Ricles, Tuesday following the service until 7:00 pm and Wednesday 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hadassah Northeast, 1320 Centre St, Newton Centre, MA 02459.

 Alfred Bloom-loving husband and father, of Lexington, MA, entered into rest  March 24, 2019. Born and raised in Brookline, he attended MIT, where he pledged Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. His schooling was interrupted by WW2 military service. He enjoyed playing the sousaphone. He returned to school, earned a degree in economics, and married the former Jeanne Shay, a pianist. Together with his in-laws, he built Giant Stores, a pioneering regional discount store chain. He and Jeanne were  founding members of Temple Emunah in Lexington. He remained active in his fraternity, advising the chapter and managing the frat house across the river in the Fenway, and was awarded their highest honor, the Order of the Lion. He is survived by his children, Michael Bloom, Lawrence Bloom, and Sara Kasten, all of whom, and their children, play musical instruments. Services at Temple Beth Israel, 25 Harvard St., Waltham, on Thursday, March 28,2019 at 11:00 am. Following interment at Beth Israel Memorial Park, Waltham, memorial observance will be at the home of Larry Bloom and Rebecca Jones until 8:00 pm. In lieu of  flowers remembrances may be made to Temple Beth Israel.

Eleanor Bearak, a long-time resident of  Mashpee and Framingham, MA, passed away peacefully on Monday the 25th of March at Newbridge on the Charles. Born in 1934, in Boston, MA, Eleanor graduated from Jeremiah E. Burke High School in Dorchester.  For many years she worked at Sears Roebuck and Company where she managed the Installation Department.  In 1978 Eleanor joined Stop-Loss Associates where she spent nearly 25 years in accounting and finance. Eleanor enjoyed cooking, entertaining, attending local theater and traveling with friends.  She was an avid gardener and took great pride in her home.  More than anything she loved doting on her beloved husband of 62 years, the late Herb Bearak and raising her three children. She is survived by her daughters, Judy Leary and Lisa Shuman, son Steven Bearak, sons in-laws Edward Leary and Stephen Shuman, daughter in-law Michelle, and grandchildren, Stefanie Leary, Stacie Leary, Jeffrey Shuman, Jason Shuman, Jenna Shuman, Ruby Bearak, and Samantha and Ricky Levitt. Eleanor will be laid to rest at a private family service at Sharon Memorial Park on Wednesday, March, 27^th.Memorial observance will commence at the home of Lisa and Stephen Shuman from 4:00pm-8:00pm Wednesday only.Memorial gifts may be made to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, 34 Washington St., Suite 310, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481, Jewish Family and Children Service, Dementia Friends, 1430 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02451 or Hebrew Senior Life, 1200 Centre Street, Boston, MA 02131.

Jacobson, Bobbe, of Boston, MA, passed away unexpectedly March 24, 2019. Beloved wife of the late Arthur B. Jacobson. Devoted mother of Jennifer Bender. Proud and devoted grandmother of Carlos-Henri Ferré and Elizabeth-Isolina Angelique Ferré. Loving sister of Carl Forrest of Boynton Beach, FL. She was known as the “Perle Mesta” of Boston, “the hostess with the mostest.” Bobbe was the life of the party. She lit candles every night for dinner and her house was a study in flowers and perfume. Her dinner parties were famous for the steady stream regulars from Boston’s social scene and strangers she had just met at a nail salon, or restaurant, who then turned into yearly regulars at the Jewish holidays or one of her get togethers. She was called “E” by her grandchildren and many others in her circle, perhaps a nod to her elegance. Bobbe used her taste for good through her event planning company, Elegant Ideas, to fundraise for local institutions such as the Wang Center, the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Boston Ballet, the Mind Body Institute, and Pine Street Inn. She had a series of benefit dinners at the Massachusetts Statehouse called, “In Celebration of Women” for the Pine Street Inn and an event at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. for the Boston Ballet. She was honored at the Boston Public Library as one of the top 50 most influential women in Boston. She will be remembered for her generosity of spirit, style, glamour, and love. Services at Temple Israel where she was a lifelong member, 477 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA (parking on Riverway), Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at 10:30 am. Interment at Sharon Memorial Park (40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA). Shiva information will be announced at services. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bobbe’s memory may be made to the MGH Leukemia Program c/o MGH Development Office, Attn: Tyrone Latin, 125 Nashua St., Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114, or the Boston Ballet, 19 Clarendon St., Boston, MA 02116.

Romer, Helen, of Newton and Longmeadow, at age 84, on March 24, 2019. Beloved wife of the late Bernard Romer. Devoted mother of Sara Romer and Andrew Kaplan of Needham; and Jon Romer and Carolyn Martinez Romer of Pasadena and Indian Wells, CA. Adoring grandmother of David, Jake, and Betsy Kaplan. Loving sister of Donald Robinson and his late wife Leatrice of Westwood. Loving sister-in-law of Alyce (Romer) Pollack and Edward Pollack of East Meadow, NY. Helen leaves two nieces, four nephews, and many dear friends. Services at Temple Reyim, 1860 Washington St., Newton, on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen’s memory may be made to the Jimmy Fund, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284.

Bobbi Baker-of Brookline, on March 22, 2019.Born in New York, Bobbi was known as “The Queen of Comedy of the Sea “ for her extensive entertaining on cruise ships around the world for over 30 years. A stand-up comic and singer, Bobbi performed at famous Catskills resorts Grossinger’s and The Concord on numerous occasions.In the 1950’s she appeared regularly on the Ed Sullivan show. She and her partner founded Bobbi Baker Limited Clothing Store with locations in Harvard Square and Chestnut Hill. She leaves her nephews, Jan Gendron and his wife Mary Beth, Daniel Gendron, a niece Marianne L’Heureux, and friends, Susan Brenner and her husband Stuart, and Judi Belinfante and her husband Geoffrey.

Edward S. Stavis- of Brookline, MA.Son of the late William Isadore Stavis and Sophie Stavisky Stavis, born in Boston, MA ,March 1, 1930. Died on Wed., March 20, 2019. Loving and devoted Husband of 60 years to Nancy (Pollock) Stavis. Father of Sara Stavis Altman(Stuart) and Emily Stavis (David Polstein). Loving grandfather to Jennifer Altman, Evan Altman(Lucy Kissel), August and Harry Polstein. Devoted Brother of Frederick Stavis and Judy Stavis. Edward graduated from Brandeis University in 1952 as a member of the first class and was also a Fellow at Brandeis. Edward attended graduate school at Harvard University before joining the family Seafood business in 1955. Edward was the President of Stavis Seafoods, Inc. for over 50 years and together, Ed and Fred helped shape the face of the seafood industry in Boston and throughout the United States. Edward “Ed” was a widely respected mentor, business partner and friend to all in the seafood community. Edward enjoyed his residences by the sea in Harwich, MA and Key Biscayne, FL, and his residence by the reservoir in Brookline, MA. He was brilliant and funny and was interested in, and knowledgeable about everything. He was an avid reader of all things literary. Ed also enjoyed swimming in the ocean and was an ardent philanthropist to many cultural, educational and medical institutions. Memorial service to be announced at a later date. Donations may be made to: The Edward and Nancy Stavis Scholarship Fund at the Heller School of Brandeis University, 415 South St. #035, Waltham, MA 02453.

Robert William Deutsch-On March 19, 2019, Robert William Deutsch, loving husband of Florence Deutsch (nee Kadish); beloved father of Jane Brown (Neil Didriksen) and David Deutsch; dear brother of the late Eleanor Morris; adored grandfather of Daniel Brown, Hannah, Jonathan, and Thomas Deutsch; dear son of the late Lena and Nathan Deutsch.Services at SOL LEVINSON & BROS., INC., 8900 Reisterstown Road, at Mount Wilson Lane on Sunday, March 24, at 2 pm. Interment Baltimore Hebrew Cemetery – Berrymans Lane. Please omit flowers. Contributions in his memory may be sent to The Ingenuity Project 1400 W. Cold Spring Lane Baltimore, MD 21209.

Of Chestnut Hill, MA passed away on March 19, 2019. Beloved husband of Judy (Berger) Hurwitz. Dear son of the late Max and Zelda Hurwitz. Devoted father of Richard Hurwitz and his wife Klaudia, and Robin Cohen and her husband David. Proud grandfather of Kyra and Gabriel Hurwitz and their mother Lisa Rudolph, Sophie Hurwitz, and Thea and Marley Cohen. Brother of Marilyn Movitz, and Jerome Hurwitz. Graveside service at Mishkan Tefila Memorial Park, 2605 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA on Friday, March 22, 2019 at 2 pm. Following services, memorial observance will be at the Hurwitz residence, continuing Saturday 7-9 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the charity of your choice.