Obituaries

Adam Wayne Kenger, loving husband, father, son, stepson, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, nephew, and friend to all, passed away on April 1st, 2024, after inspiring everyone with his strength and courage as he faced advanced colon cancer. Adam was born on June 13, 1980 in El Paso, Texas to Ronda Kenger and Martin Kenger. At just six weeks old, Adam, his older sister Elysa, and his parents moved to Massachusetts where he would live happily for the rest of his life. As a child, he loved building model rockets and playing trains with his father, whose footsteps he followed in to become an engineer. His summers at the Cape with his family as a child, going boating and fishing and just enjoying the salt air, were some of his happiest childhood memories. He played soccer and clarinet as a boy, and in his words, “did it for fun, not because I was particularly good.” But music always held a special interest for him, and he often enjoyed recounting nights spent at the Cape Cod Melody Tent seeing amazing musical acts. His musical knowledge and interests were diverse, covering everything from Fleetwood Mac to Natalie Merchant to James Taylor. One of the times he most impressed Mara was when he perfectly sang along with the 26 “I knows” in Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers. He might have been quiet at times, but he was certainly always listening.

His early interest in computers distinguished him in the halls of the Littleton schools he attended in the 1990s. Adam was so knowledgeable that many teachers would often ask  for his assistance working their computers! Adam continued his study of computer engineering at Northeastern University in Boston, the one and only college he applied to, because he knew he wanted to work while studying which Northeastern made particularly seamless with their undergraduate program. In college he met many life-long friends including his best man, Dan Dufresne, who Adam often credited with getting him through some of the more challenging academic courses. Adam had a unique genius, but stats weren’t his thing. But he worked hard, did amazingly well, and graduated with his B.S. in Computer Engineering from Northeastern in 2003.

He immediately went to work as a software engineer and web developer at various technology firms in Boston, with his longest tenure being at Cantina Consulting where he worked from 2009 until just prior to his death in 2024. At Cantina, he made lifelong friendships, helped countless clients meet their website needs, and was a leader in every sense of the word. He was so good with client relationships that the company created a special role for him in that realm, and he was named VP of Technical Strategy. Just 4 days before his death, Adam was still concerned about finishing up work projects. His dedication to his work cannot be overstated.

It is only fitting that a man who devoted his life to computers would meet his eventual wife, Mara, on the internet. In June 2011, they connected via a dating website, and as Mara has always said, she instantly knew upon reading his profile and seeing his adorable smile that he could be the father of her children. After a few weeks of emails back-and-forth, they met in person at a restaurant in Beacon Hill, and talked continuously for 4 hours before awkwardly misfiring a kiss onto each other’s eyeballs and saying goodnight. They met frequently after that, and by their 3rd date, Mara had already told her mother and aunt, “I am going to marry this guy.”

Marry they did, just 14 months later, in September of 2012. They moved in 2013 to their first home bought together in Stoneham, MA, where they enjoyed the DINK life for a little while by enjoying frequent dinner and movie dates, weekends at the Cape, and many live concerts. They welcomed their first daughter, Madeleine, in 2015, and what he may have lost in DINK freedom, he gained tenfold in the joys of fatherhood. Margot arrived in 2018, and little Eloise arrived in the midst of COVID just after moving to the family’s current home in Wellesley in 2020. Adam had initially said that he wasn’t sure he wanted children, because he wanted to be certain that if he brought kids into this world, that he was ready to be the absolute best father he could be to them. But it should come as no surprise to anyone who knew Adam that fatherhood came naturally to him. He was patient, kind, firm but gentle, disciplined, and loving to his three daughters. Even when he was feeling absolutely awful with cancer treatments, he made time and space for them to feel his love and devotion, as he patiently listened to their stories, excitedly looked at their artwork, or lovingly read them “just one more” bedtime story. He was, in every sense of the word, an incredible father.

His excelling at fatherhood could have easily been predicted by his longstanding devotion to, and love of, rescue dogs. As soon as he was out on his own, Adam began fostering dogs, and soon adopted his first rescue dog, Trinity. He soon also adopted Lara, a particularly special dog whose photograph, taken by Adam, hangs in the living room. Logan, Lucy, Owen and Charlie were all lucky enough to make their home in Adam’s house, and more importantly, in his heart. Adam truly had immense love for all animals, even those he was severely allergic to like Mara’s cats who came with her as a package deal. He couldn’t walk by a cute dog without stopping to pet them and make goofy animal noises. His biggest smiles in life were reserved for his canines and his kids.

Adam was an amazing cook, with Italian food being his main specialty. He made excellent homemade pizzas, and gifted himself a pizza oven for home that, sadly, he didn’t get to use before his passing. Mara and the girls look forward to learning how to use it to make excellent pizza in his memory. He also loved making his own pasta, and made an annual spanakopita for his mother on her birthday, as that was her favorite dish he ever made.

Adam was someone who would stop at nothing to make those around him happy. He made a friend in everyone he met, and genuinely didn’t have any enemies or even a bad word to say about anyone. He was endlessly kind, calm, forgiving, patient, intelligent, talented, devoted, and sweet. He will forever be missed by all those lucky enough to have known him.

He is survived by his wife, Mara (Semel) Kenger and his three daughters, Madeleine Antonia, Margot Isabelle, and Eloise June; his mother, Ronda Kenger; his father and stepmother, Marty Kenger and Marji Holden-Kenger; his sister, Elysa (Kenger) Fiedler; beloved aunt, Sandy Simon and her partner Brian Bloch; beloved aunt and uncle, Darlene and Stu Saks; beloved uncle Jeff Saks; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and scores of friends. He is predeceased by his grandparents, Jerry and Stella Saks, and Elizabeth and Leonard Kenger, and his uncle, Larry Simon.

Adam’s guiding principles in life were kindness, love, and generosity. It is with those values in mind that we will honor his legacy by practicing those principles and leading with kindness, just like Adam.

The funeral will be taking place on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 10:00 am at Temple Beth Shalom in Needham. Interment will follow at Or Emet Cemetery, 776 Baker St., West Roxbury. Memorial Observance will be at Temple Beth Shalom on Thursday from 2:00-5:00 pm and will resume at the Kenger home on Friday from 1:00-3:00 pm and on Sunday from 1:00-6:00 pm.

Dr. Diane Flora Gutterman, of Pikesville, Maryland, passed away on March 30, 2024.  Diane was the wife of the late Dr. Victor P. Vitullo, mother of Josh Vitullo, doting grandmother of Zachary and Alexander Vitullo, loving sister of Alvin and Linda Gutterman, proud aunt of Rebecca and Sam Gutterman, and lifelong friend of June Taylor. Daughter of Louis and Jean Gutterman, Diane graduated with honors in Chemistry from Cornell University in 1963, received her Ph.D. from Columbia in 1969, and and did post graduate work in chemistry at Princeton and Sao Paolo, Brazil.  She later received her M.D. from the University of Miami (FL) and had a 45 year career as a psychiatrist serving patients in Baltimore. Ever curious, Diane spent a lifetime learning, teaching, and caring for others.  She leaves behind a son and two grandkids who will forever be thinking of her smile, as well as friends and patients who will miss her peerless ability to hone in on the heart of an issue.

Graveside services at New Montefiore Cemetery on April 3 at 11 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Diane’s memory may be made to Healthcare for the Homeless (Maryland) at https://www.hchmd.org/

Smith, Rosalyn of Medford, MA passed away March 30, 2024. Beloved wife of the late Murray H Smith for 65 years. Devoted mother of Dr. Steven Smith of Chestnut Hill, MA, Todd Smith and his wife Jill of North Waterboro, ME, and Gail Miller and her husband Bruce of Colchester, CT. Proud grandmother of Gabriella, Adina, Lily and Ilon Smith & Aaron and Samuel Miller.

Rosalyn was born in Boston on March 26, 1932 to the late Irving and Goldie (Maltzman) Bereznick, along with her late brother Marshall. She graduated from Dorchester High School, Prozdor, and Hebrew College. Rosalyn was a Hebrew School teacher in Greater Boston for nearly 50 years. She was a longtime member of Temple Shalom in Medford and a Life Member of Hadassah. She loved travel, dining out and reading. Her greatest joy was her family, to which she was completely devoted.

Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rosalyn’s memory may be made to Temple Shalom of Medford, the Alzheimer’s Association or Susan G Komen organization.

HELLER, Vicki Lynn A lover of art, ceramics, romance languages, punny jokes, very hot showers, chamber music, interesting flavors and colors, the time of day when the light changes, French press coffee, and dark chocolate died March 29, 2024.

Vicki was born in Chicago on January 12, 1954 to Harry and Virginia Heller, two social workers, one of whom later became a physician, both of whom instilled in their daughters a love of art, a responsibility to care for others, and a fierce independence characteristic of women ahead of their time. The youngest of four sisters, Vicki was distinguished by the combination of her brilliant, creative, artistic, open mind and her magical warm spirit and pure kind heart.

After attending art school at the University of Michigan, she worked abroad in Italy where she lived above a meat and cheese shop and taught the butcher’s daughter English in exchange for money for rent.  It was there where she forged ochre sculptures of Italian hill towns from stoneware clay, focal pieces adorning the shelves of her home in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Growing up, Vicki, often bored in school, would count down the remaining days in the school year until she could return to Interlochen Arts Camp for the summer. A lover of all things artistic, she starred in school plays and musicals, and despite having two left feet, enjoyed singing, dancing, and making music with her three sisters.

Vicki, a forger of her own path, did not necessarily follow, but rather walked alongside her father’s footstep, pursuing a secondary career in medicine after her time in Italy, obtaining medical education at Harvard Medical School.

During her 25 year long medical career as an OBGYN, she brought countless babies into the world and was a fierce advocate for women’s rights and educator about issues related to women’s health. When she was with patients, they knew they had her attention and no clinical worry was too small to raise. She was universally adored by her patients, many of whom would send pictures of their growing babies to her home with cards and chocolates during holiday times.

Vicki had a capacity for laser focus and yet kept an open mind and heart for observation of the broadest and the most abstract aspects of life and its wonders. Out to dinner with friends or at parties, Vicki was never one to dominate the conversation. She would be thoroughly engaged in listening and had a genuine curiosity about people and their stories and lives.

It was in the hospital where she met her husband of 37 years, Lee Cohen, a fellow physician, who asked her out during her first week as chief resident only to be told to reach her back at 2am (when she anticipated she would have a moment to talk on the phone).

What started from a three hour long date talking to one another that Vicki, on brand, arrived 15 minutes late to, flourished into a marriage in which their love grew over the course of 37 years together, built firmly on shared values of family, sustaining connection with close friends, and protecting time for the two of them. In the early days of their relationship, Vicki’s preferred mode of travel to the hospital was by bike; even at 2 in the morning when on call, a sleep deprived post call Vicki could be seen rolling up to the hospital on a bike.

After getting married in 1986, Vicki and Lee moved to the suburbs and Vicki traded her bike in for a car. Soon after, Vicki and Lee were overjoyed (and persistently sleep deprived) when they welcomed their two daughters, Eliza Anne Heller Cohen and Zoë Caroline Heller Cohen into the world. Vicki’s happiest times were spent with her family, in Boston and in Kennebunkport, Maine, a place which doubled as a sanctuary for their family. Vicki continued to feed her curious spirit, exploring and adventuring with her family in Maine. She fearlessly learned to ski the east coast icy hard pack as a thirty something year old who had never before set foot on a mountain. Weekends were spent with family, hiking, biking, sailing, and playing tennis. Vacation weeks were some of the most precious times for her family. Whether on safari in Tanzania or learning to make homemade pasta in Italy, (though, due to her love for improvisation, she could never ever make the exact same recipe twice), Vicki reveled in learning about other cultures and traveling the world with her crew. She would never miss an opportunity to learn how to say a phrase in another language upon meeting someone from any corner of the world, and was virtually fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Italian.

The relationships Vicki had with her family and with her friends were most important to her. At the age of 58, after a cancer diagnosis, she closed her practice of 25 years and returned to the art studio where she delighted in a community of quirky creatives and reconnected wholeheartedly to her identity as a sculptress. With a preference for hand-building over throwing pottery on the wheel, Vicki’s sculptures often depicted the human form and facial expressions. She believed that love and friendships between people were transcendent and magical; and she captured the human experience in her work. While she connected with this community somewhat later in life, over the final decade of her life, she developed some of her most cherished relationships with fellow artists from the Harvard Ceramics Studio, where she was a resident artist.

If Vicki was to become aware of someone in need, she would without hesitation offer her time, whether cooking a meal, or lending a hand. She had a need to feel productive and she was always active. Never one to focus on material things, she could often be found wearing a clay stained “make art” blue t shirt. When on airplanes or in the hospital, in lieu of disposing of used containers or cans, she would save them for repurposing in her art studio as storage containers, or for recycling at home.

Vicki and Lee’s love was ever an inspiration to family, friends, and others who were, or would be in love. Vicki’s heart grew as her family expanded when her daughter Eliza met Gregg Belbeck and they married in 2022. In Vicki’s final year of life, she became a grandmother to grandson Harrison Belbeck.

In September 2021, she received a diagnosis of metastatic pancreatic cancer. A most resilient person and soul, having already fought through late stage ovarian cancer 10 years prior, as well as beaten another two separate cancers, she faced this diagnosis head on and underwent rigorous treatment with the goal of continuing to be well enough to make art and spend time with her family. To say her strength through this chapter was an inspiration to others is an understatement. With her natural sense of optimism and humor, she plodded through challenging days gracefully and with a smile on her face. The Heller Cohen family thanks the numerous doctors, nurses, therapists, aides, caregivers, cleaners, neighbors, friends, family members, who lifted Vicki’s spirits and kept her in their thoughts during this chapter.

She met this final diagnosis with resilience, strength, optimism, humor, and grace.

In addition to her immediate family, Vicki leaves many sisters and brothers-in-law (Marcy Heller Fisher, Robert Fisher (deceased), Wendy Fogel, Yehuda Fogel, Barbara Heller, Joel Weingarten (deceased), Mitchell Cohen, Janet Richer Cohen, Cindy Portnoff, Kevin Portnoff) nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, and cousins whom she loved. She was predeceased by her mother and father, Virginia and Harry Heller.

If Vicki were here today, she would want us all to remember joyous moments together and to be kind to one another. We mourn the loss of this unique, loving, remarkable woman. Vicki’s life and love have been a blessing to her family and to all who were lucky enough to know her.

Vicki’s life will be celebrated on Monday April 1 at 11am at Temple Emanuel in Newton. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers please direct any gifts to the Harvard Ceramics Studio and to the Dr David Ryan Fund / MGH Cancer Center.

Please specify that the gift is in honor of Vicki Heller.

A link to view the recording can be found here.

Natalie Warshawer, 88, of Lexington, MA died peacefully on March 29th, 2024.  She was the beloved wife of 65 years to the late Robert “Bob” Warshawer.  She leaves her children Steven Warshawer of Santa Fe, NM, Marcy Ostrow and her husband Matthew of Worcester, MA, and Ina Lerner and her late husband Rob of Midland, MI.

She was the cherished grandmother of Rachel, Emma, Sam, Naomi, Madeline, Abigail, and Lily, her bonus grandchildren by marriage, and the proud great grandmother of Desmond, Petra, Margot, and Reuben.

Natalie was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1935.  Her youth was spent in the Girl Scouts, going to Brighton Beach, and playing neighborhood games along with her sister Mindy.  She was a proud graduate of Brandeis University and remained active in the Brandeis alumni association throughout her life.  Natalie and Bob were introduced to each other by their parents when they were teenagers, and married in 1955.  They settled in Lexington, MA where they raised their family, added to their circle of lifelong friends, and became avid Red Sox fans.

Natalie’s artistic legacy is enduring.  She was a founder of Depot Square Gallery, and belonged to many organizations including the Cambridge Art Association, The Lexington Arts and Crafts Society, and the National League of American Pen Women.  She worked in acrylics, taught painting classes, was well known for her hand-colored etchings of the Boston area, and her artwork was exhibited and earned accolades in galleries throughout New England and beyond. An extension of her visual art was her love of and expertise in knitting, gardening, and Broadway showtunes.  Her knitting community held a special place in her heart.

The family gives special thanks to Daniel Luzzi, Rosete Semakula, and Florence Batte for their kind and loving caregiving.

A graveside service will be held at Beit Olam East Cemetery, 40 Concord Rd., Wayland, MA on Monday, April 1, 2024 at 4:00pm. A memorial observance will be announced at that time.

Natalie and Bob were founding members of Temple Emunah in Lexington. In lieu of flowers, donations in Natalie’s memory may be made to Temple Emunah.

Ruth Silberstein, long time Temple Emanuel member and Newton resident, passed away on March 28, 2024 in Dedham, Massachusetts after a long illness.

Ruth was born in Europe and her family emigrated to the U.S. in December 1938 when she was six years old.  She was raised in Manhattan and graduated from Sarah Lawrence College.  In 1954 she met Ronald Silberstein and, after a (very) brief courtship, they were married, and had a wonderful and happy union.   Ruth was one of a kind.   She had a magnetic personality, wonderful sense of humor, and was a master storyteller.   She welcomed everyone into her circle and made everyone feel that they were her best friend.   These skills, and her extensive knowledge, contributed to her very successful career as an art dealer.

Ruth is survived by her husband of 69 years, Ron Silberstein, her son Peter Silberstein and his wife Gail, her daughter Margie Silberstein and her husband Lennie Bloom, and her daughter Amy Silberstein and her husband Jim Cohen; by her eight grandchildren Dana Silberstein, Ariel Frankel (Scott),  Jamie Bloom (Leah), Allison Bloom, Kate Bloom, Douglas Cohen, Julia Cohen (Mike), and Caroline Cohen; and by her 3 great-grandchildren Jordan and Sienna Frankel and Julian Bloom.

Funeral services on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward St., Newton, MA.  Shiva will be at the home of Amy Silberstein and Jim Cohen following the burial and will continue at the home of Peter and Gail Silberstein on Sunday, March 31, and Monday April 1, 2-4 & 7- 9 p.m. Donations in her memory may be made to Temple Emanuel of Newton, c/o Ruth and Ron Silberstein Educational Fund.

Please click here to view the service recording.

Helen (Needleman) Sawyer, 95, of Cambridge, Massachusetts passed peacefully on March 28, 2024, surrounded by loving family. She is survived by two sons, Jeffrey Sawyer and his wife Cathi, and Matthew Sawyer and his wife Sharon, three grandchildren Natalie, Andrew, and Hannah as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Helen was married for 62 years to Robert Sawyer who passed in 2016. She is a graduate of Smith College and earned a Master of Library Science from Boston University. For over 25 years, Helen was a librarian in the Brookline Public Schools.

Graveside service at 1:00pm on Monday, April 1, 2024 at Lindwood Memorial Park, 490 North St.,  Randolph. Following the service, family and friends will gather in the Beal Family Interfaith Chapel at Newbridge on the Charles,  5000 Great Meadow Road, Dedham, MA from 3:00-8:00 pm.

Donations in Helen’s name may be made to Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind or the Baker School Library in Brookline, Massachusetts.

To view the service recording please click here.

Charles (Chuck) Goodman, age 88, of Sharon, Massachusetts, beloved husband, much loved Dad, and cherished and adoring Papa, passed away peacefully and unexpectedly surrounded by his loving family on March 27 due to complications from a fall.

He leaves his wife of 64 years, Carolyn (Chartor) who he met on a blind date in 1958 in Chicago and was his partner in all ways in life. Chuck was very proud of and devoted to his four children who adored him, Michelle of San Francisco and Chestnut Hill, Lawrence (Lisa) of Sharon, Ronald (Marie) of Sharon, and Andrea of Brookline; and grandsons, David, Daniel, Tyler, and Jake; and brother-in-law Joseph Chartor (Phyllis).

Born and raised on the North Side of Chicago, Chuck was the only child of I. Leo and Sylvia Goodman. He was extremely proud of his Chicago roots. Chuck graduated from Senn High School and the University of Illinois/Champaign-Urbana where he was a member of the Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity. He was known for his athleticism in intramural sports and also served in ROTC, eventually becoming a Captain in the U.S. Army.

After beginning to work as a CPA and marrying Carolyn, they moved to Milton, Massachusetts. Chuck started his family while working full-time, going to law school at night earning his JD degree from Boston College Law School, and serving in the Army Reserves before moving to Sharon where he resided in the same home for 53 years. Chuck was a partner at several accounting firms before forming Goodman & Goodman. He was a wise and trusted advisor to clients, with many of these relationships lasting 40-to-50, even 60 years.

Family came first for Chuck, and he enjoyed traveling around the U.S. and world with Carolyn and on memorable trips with the entire family. He was always an active and steady presence in the lives of his children and grandchildren, and a regular on the town ballfields, as a coach and fan. He was one of the founding members of the Brotherhood at Temple Israel in Sharon, and a longtime member of many Town of Sharon Committees, including the Finance Committee in which he was a past Chairman and most recently the liaison to the Library Trustees.

Chuck was truly a good man, humble and modest, and he will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by many.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 1 at 1 pm at the Sharon Memorial Park Chapel followed by interment.

Memorial observance will be held at his late residence on Monday, April 1 from 6 – 8 pm, and Tuesday, April 2 from 2 – 5 pm. Remembrances in Chuck’s memory may be made to the charity of your choice.

Leonard “Lenny” Bernheimer, cherished husband, adored father, adoring grandfather, loving brother, and exemplary friend passed away on March 26, 2024. He was 82 years old.

He leaves his wife and best friend of over 60 years, Marilyn Bernheimer, who he met as a shy 16-year-old and who was the light of his life. He also leaves his two children Beth (Mike) Harrington and Jonathan (Ingrid) Bernheimer, three siblings Walter (Roz) Bernheimer, Robert (Nancy) Bernheimer, and Susie (Mike) Steinberg, and seven grandchildren Caroline (Graham) Reynolds, Molly, Megan, Kerry, and Mark Harrington, and Maya and Anya Bernheimer.

Born in Newton on October 13, 1941, Lenny was a lifelong athlete and lover of all sports. While at Williams College, from which he graduated in 1963, Len discovered his lifelong passion—squash. Lenny’s legacy in squash will live on for years to come, thanks to his long-term involvement with SquashBusters, including serving as its first chairman of the board for 11 years, his more than 35 state, national, and international singles and doubles championships, and his tireless work on behalf of the sport. In recognition of his many contributions, Len was inducted into the U.S. Squash Hall of Fame in 2012.

Lenny was also a graduate of Stanford Business School, longtime member of both Belmont Country Club and the University Club of Boston, and had a long and distinguished career as owner and president of United Lithograph, an innovative commercial printing company in Somerville.

Lenny’s greatest achievement, however, was his love for his family and his friends. He would stop at nothing to support those around him. Universally loved by all who had the good fortune of knowing him, Lenny will be remembered for his unwavering spirit, his unmatched kindness, and his incredible love of humor, especially puns. Lenny was truly one of the good guys.

There will be a private burial on Thursday, March 28, 2024 followed by a reception at the family residence from 3:30–6:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in his name can be sent to SquashBusters at 795 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA 02120.

Deborah Faber, age 78, of Newton, Massachusetts, passed away on March 23, 2024. She was born on May 9, 1945 in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Deborah is survived by her daughter Kathryn Litwak, son Jesse Chernis-Grant, daughter-in-law Robyn Chernis-Grant, her two grandchildren Rebecca and Lily Chernis-Grant, and her sisters Carol Johnson and Joan Faber, her brother-in-law Jeff Brewer, and her incredibly close extended family. She was married for 35 years to her loving husband, Lawrence B. Litwak who passed away in 2016, and she was also preceded in death by her dear brother-in-law Roger Johnson.

Deborah was a loving, witty, brilliant woman who lived a beautiful life surrounded by a tight-knit community of family and lifelong friends.

Services will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at noon at Temple Reyim, 1860 Washington St., Newton, MA. Interment to follow at Newton Cemetery. Shiva will be at Deborah’s late residence on Tuesday following interment until 4:30 pm and continuing from 5:30-7:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (https://www.lbda.org/donate/).