Obituaries

Of Cherry Hill, NJ, on January 3, 2016. Beloved son of Dr. Earl Fleegler and the late Kathy (Gaylord) Fleegler. Brother of Dr. Eric Fleegler. Services at the Wilson Chapel, 234 Herrick Rd., Newton Centre, MA, on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 1:00 pm.  Interment will follow in the Shara Tfila Cemetery, 774 Baker St., West Roxbury, MA. Donations in Michael’s memory may be made to Grass ROOTS Community Foundation, 59 Main St., Suite 323, West Orange, NJ 07052 (grassrootscommunityfoundation,org) or Philadelphia Reads, 1709 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Suite 201, Philadelphia, PA 19103 (philareads.org).

Florence A. Cooperstein -of Belmont, On January 1, 2016. Beloved wife of the late Benjamin Cooperstein. Devoted mother of Andrea Marcou and her husband Doug, Gordon and Audrey Karp, Ellen Brandt and her husband Skip all of Belmont, Barbara Perkins and her husband Scott of Cape Neddick, ME, Lois and Paul Overy of Natick,Steven and his wife JoAnn of No.Andover, Richard and his wife Tracey,of Encino, CA and the late Carin Cooperstein. Cherished grandmother of Michael Tyler, Jared Linsky, Stacey and Zachary Brandt, Benjamin and Jonathan Cooperstein, and Strauss, Carli and Remi Cooperstein. Loving sister of Sheila Goldstein and the late Doris Cohen. Services at the Beth El Temple Center, 2 Concord Avenue, Belmont, on Sunday, January 3, 2016 at 1:00 pm. Following interment at Sharon Memorial Park,  memorial observance will be at her residence until 9:00 pm, Monday and Tuesday 2-5 & 7-9 pm. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to  Beth El Temple Center.

Joyce S. Zdenek of Westborough, MA, passed away on December 31, 2015. She is survived by her children, Danielle and Jessica Zdenek of Natick and Boston, and siblings Craig and Alan Sherman of Philadelphia.

She was born in Philadelphia, PA on April 11, 1952 to Irving and Jean Sherman. After high school, Joyce attended Northeastern University and soon thereafter settled down in Holliston, MA, where she raised her two daughters with her then husband, Edward Zdenek.

Joyce was a devoted and loving mother and friend – one who was always there with sound advice, or a shoulder to lean on. She was a successful real estate agent, before attending the New England Institute of Art to become an interior designer, where she used her creativity to transform people’s homes.  

Joyce had an optimistic outlook on life no matter what challenges came her way, and always made herself available for loved ones. She will be remembered for her smile, laugh, strength, generosity and loyalty to her friends and family.

A celebration of her life will be held at the chapel at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at 12:00 noon. Shiva will be held on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 from 1-3 & 5-7pm at 2114 Homestead Blvd, Westborough, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 300 5th Ave., Suite 6, Waltham, MA 02451 (donatenow.heart.org).

Dr. Lewis Battist-of Chevy Chase, MD, on December 30, 2015. Beloved husband of Ruth (Smith) Battist. Graveside service at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, on Monday, January 4, 2016 at 10:45 am.

of Haverhill MA, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2015 after a long battle with recurring cancer. He was born on October 11, 1956, in Winchester, MA, to John A. and Jean M. Hanson. He is survived by his sisters Barbara Sharp of Northampton, MA, Laura Sweeney of Mt. Desert, ME, and Jill Higgins of Rumson, NJ, and his brother Richard and sister-in-law Nancy Hanson of Newton, MA, who cared for him during his final months. He will be missed by his nieces and nephews, brothers-in-law, and his many friends and colleagues. Paul attended Wakefield High School and Salem State College, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in economics, with additional studies in political science. He went on to work for Genzyme and Biogen in Boston, and later at Wyeth and Pfizer, in Andover. Paul was a devoted son, brother, and uncle.He loved to exercise and was an avid hiker and jogger. Paul had a lively interest in politics and was always up for a spirited debate. He will be lovingly remembered for his independent lifestyle, generous spirit, and unique sense of humor. All who knew Paul are invited to attend a memorial service on January 9, 2016, starting at 2:00 p.m. at Newton Cemetery Chapel, 791 Walnut Street, Newton Center MA. Remembrances in Paul’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society,30 Speen St. ,Framingham,MA 01701.

If you wish to send flowers please have them delivered to The Newton Cemetery Chapel.

contact info: Linda Garson Smith, 5 Seaview Terrace, Belfast, Maine 4915; tel: 207-338-4466

Gladys Smith Garson, age 93, passed away peacefully on December 21, 2015, in her bed in Dedham, Massachusetts, surrounded by her family. She will be remembered as a loving grandmother, mother, wife, aunt, cousin, and friend.

Gladys was born in New Haven, Connecticut on January 21, 1922, daughter of Anna and Samuel Smith. She married the love of her life, Harry Garson, in 1946, and enjoyed 65 years of life together. The couple raised their three children in Woodbridge, Connecticut, and late in life moved to Newtonville, Massachusetts to be near their son, Steven. Upon Harry’s death, Gladys moved into assisted care at Newbridge on the Charles.

Gladys and Harry were snowbirds who flew south for the winter to Century Village in Florida, where she enjoyed oil painting, watercolor and sculpture classes. She was an artist, but very modest about her talents.

She was a positive person who never complained. The ultimate listener, she never tired of listening to friends and family tell their stories.

In addition to her parents, Gladys was predeceased by her loving son, Dan, and her devoted husband, Harry. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Garson Smith, David Smith, son-in-law, her son, Steven Garson, and daughter-in-law, Barbara Garson, and three grandchildren: Andrew Garson Smith, Sarah Garson and David Garson. A celebration of her life was held on December 22 in the Newbridge common room. In honor of her son, Dan, contributions in Gladys’ name may be made to the American Cancer Society. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.brezniak-staging.fsf6vvja-liquidwebsites.com.

Lee Miller-of Boca Raton, FL, formerly of Newton, on December 28, 2015. Beloved wife of the late Oscar Miller. Devoted mother of  Jonathan Stephen Miller, and Gary Charles Miller and his wife Arlene. Dear grandmother of Lindsey Santiago and her husband Luis, and Dana Miller. Services at The Wilson Chapel, 234 Herrick Rd., Newton Centre, on Sunday, January 3, 2016 at 11:00 am. Following interment at Sharon Memorial Park, memorial observance at the home of Gary  and Arlene Miller until 5:00 pm and continuing 7-9 pm Sunday, and Monday and Tuesday 2-4 & 7-9 pm. In lieu of flowers remembrances to Accelerated Cure Project for MS, 460 Totten Pond Road, Suite 140,Waltham, MA 02451.

of Randolph, Massachusetts, passed away on December 27, 2015 with his family at his bedside.  He was born on April 11, 1924 to the late Morris and Rose Bernstein of New London, Connecticut, and was the youngest of five boys. He was the husband of Roberta Bernstein for 67 years.  He leaves behind three children: Leslie and Jeffrey Weiner of Randolph, Howard and Jane Bernstein of Stoughton, and Tami and Martin Teperow of Salem, NH.  In addition, he leaves behind seven grandchildren and four great- granddaughters.  He was a WWII veteran in the United States Marine Corps from January 14, 1943 to January 14, 1946.  He was with the 5th Marine Division, 5th Pioneer Batallion, A Company, 2nd Platoon, and survived the last banzai attack on Iwo Jima.  He was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, The Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal (with one Battle Star), and finally the Occupation Ribbon of WWII. Originally from New London, CT, he relocated his family to Randolph, built his own home, and worked many jobs in the drapery business until 1971, when he and Roberta opened up their own business, Sam’s Drapery Workroom. He was a member of the Masons, 32nd Degree, the Shriners, and the Jewish War Veterans. He was also a founding member of Temple Beth Am and their brotherhood, where he helped to build a thriving congregation and Jewish community. Sam strongly believed in country, religion, and family.  Services will be held at Temple Beth Am, 871 North Main St., Randolph on Wednesday, December 30,2015 at 11:00 am. Donations may be made to Temple Beth Am. 

Jill L. Feldman, deeply loved and adored by family and friends, passed away on December 27, 2015 at the age of 42.  Jill was born on February 15, 1973, and grew up in Dartmouth, MA.  She is predeceased by her beloved brother Seth and father Sidney.  Jill leaves behind her mother, Bonnie, her husband of 12 years Tim McAndrew, and her young son August “Gus” McAndrew – all of whom she fiercely loved.

Jill attended and loved Duke University, where she majored in Anthropology and excelled as a student and friend to many.  She spent the next few years in New York City, working in publishing and prison reform.  Her deep commitment to helping those with less led her to Harvard Law School, after which she practiced and taught civil rights law.  Jill’s interests were wide and varied: she consumed books voraciously, was addicted to her favorite tv shows; loved to exercise (yoga and dance!), and always enjoyed a good meal and ice cream. Jill’s love of movement led her to Nia, a form of dance that she practiced and eventually taught with joy to others.

Above all else, Jill loved to be with her loved ones. She and her husband Tim were happy doing anything… as long as it was together.  When she and Tim adopted Gus, she threw herself into motherhood – taking Gus on walks, to play dates and classes, and pouring her love into him.  Jill was devoted to her family – the one into which she was born, and the one she created with Tim. For Jill, family was ever-widening as she made, kept, and grew deep friendships throughout her life.  She naturally reached out to others, and in turn people were always drawn to her intelligence, warm and caring spirit, incredibly wise advice and perspectives, and an intense inner beauty that she always expressed through her radiant smile and rollicking laughter. Jill inspired everyone she touched just by being herself.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10:30am at Tifereth Israel Congregation, 145 Brownell Ave., New Bedford, with burial at Tifereth Israel Cemetery, Old Plainville Rd., New Bedford.  Shiva visitation will be held at her mother’s residence Wednesday following the interment until 4pm, and again 7-9pm, Thursday 10am-12pm and 2-4:30pm, and Friday 1-3pm. Visitation hours will continue at Jill’s home north of Boston on Sunday from 10am-12pm and 3:30-5:30pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jill’s memory may be made to The Lindelil Fund at Jewish Family and Children’s Services; contact Betsy Hochberg at (617) 332-2218 or www.adoptionresources.org.

of Clearwater, FL, formerly of Newton, on December 26, 2015. Beloved wife of the late Leo I. Barron. Lillian was the long-time companion of the late Melvin Bloom. Devoted mother of Dr. Laurence Barron and his wife Rose and Cheryl Fried and her husband William. Loving grandmother of Marc Barron, Michelle Barron Lin and her husband Christopher, and Lindsay Fried. Cherished great-grandmother of Jackson Leo Lin. Dear sister of Janice Israelson. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Services at the Sharon Memorial Park Chapel, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at 12 noon. Memorial observance will be at the Sheraton Needham Hotel, 100 Cabot St., Needham, on Tuesday from 2-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Boston Children’s Hospital – Development Office, 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115.