Obituaries

Dr. Stuart Alan Millner

Stuart Alan Millner was born in Boston, Massachusetts on November 11, 1940, to Isidore and Minnie (Alpert) Millner. He graduated from the Boston Latin School and later received his B.A. from Boston University and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Brandeis University, where he completed a dissertation on Thomas Gray’s Welsh and Norse poetry.

A lover of eighteenth-century literature, Stuart worked for fifty-two years as a beloved professor of English at Suffolk University. He took immense pride in being a role model for both junior faculty and students in the department of English. He strove to inspire his students, stating that his goal in teaching was to help undergraduates who dreaded his class find comfort and joy in the English language. As a result, students frequently commented that his classes were among the best and most memorable that they took in college.

Stuart’s door was always open to his students, and he spent countless hours working with individuals to improve their reading comprehension and writing skills. He would assist students to rewrite their papers numerous times, modeling the revision process and taking pride in their improvement. His teaching inspired a number of students to major in English, and to become English teachers or professors themselves. His spirit lives on in his students and the classes they went on to teach.

Stuart’s life was characterized by his devotion to others. As a teenager, his father was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and he was ultimately bedridden. Stuart then became the primary caregiver for his father; despite his own heavy workload, he would rise at 4:30 am to get his father ready for the day, work a full day, and then rush home to continue his caregiving tasks. After his father’s death, he remained devoted to his family, cheerfully nursing his mother in her declining years, and later helping his sister to care for her disabled son.

Throughout his life, Stuart maintained a positive outlook, and took particular joy in his teaching, his friends, his family, and his interests in opera and literature, especially William Shakespeare, Samuel Johnson, and James Joyce.

Stuart is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Roland Airey, his nephew Scott Airey of Needham, MA, and his niece Jennifer Airey of Tulsa, OK. Services were held.

Judy Kramer, of Acton, Massachusetts passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2026, surrounded by family and friends. She was 77 years old.

After growing up in Elmont, New York, Judy moved to Boston to attend Simmons College. Through a roommate she met her husband Les, who was attending MIT. They settled in the Boston area where she raised two children and became a life-long Red Sox fan. She devoted much of her life to her love of music, eventually owning the Spectrum Music shop in Lexington, singing in the Heritage Chorale in Framingham for over 50 years, and as the founding choir director at her synagogue in Acton, which she led for over 40 years.

Judy loved nothing more than spending time with her family. She was incredibly proud of her children’s professional accomplishments, and delighted in attending her grandchildren’s celebrations and school events. She enjoyed traveling and spent much of her post-retirement years seeing the world.

Judy is survived by beloved husband of 55 years Les Kramer, her children Rachel (and Lee) Gwaltney and Dan (and Amy) Kramer, her grandchildren Andrew and Emily Kramer, and her countless extended family and friends.

The funeral services will be observed on Monday, April 6, 2026 at 11am at Congregation Beth Elohim, 133 Prospect Street, Acton, MA, followed by interment at Beit Olam Cemetery, 60 Old Sudbury Road, Wayland, MA.

Shiva will be held Monday at 4 pm at Congregation Beth Elohim.

Donations in Judy’s memory can be made to Congregation Beth Elohim’ s General Fund and to the Heritage Chorale.

A Link to view the livestream can be found here.

Sherie Lee Koopersmith passed away peacefully on Friday, April 3, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was 79 years old.

She was born on January 13, 1947, in the Bronx, New York, to Abraham and Frances Sands, and raised in Teaneck, New Jersey.

Sherie met her husband Mike when she was only seventeen years old and they were married by the time she was twenty. Together they built a life filled with love. She supported Mike while he was in the U.S. Air Force in Wichita, Kansas, for three years. They moved to Northboro, Massachusetts, in 1972 to raise their family. They were a beautiful couple and the perfect example of true partnership and collaboration throughout the years. For the last 19 years Sherie and Mike have lived in Plymouth. This coming October they would have been married for 59 years.

Sherie was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and a one-of-a-kind friend, including staying in close contact with her childhood friends from Teaneck. She always made time for her loved ones and truly cared for others. She was deeply involved in her family’s lives. She was always present, and never missed a phone call, activity, game or match. Once she became a grandmother, she embraced that role with the same devotion. “Grandma Sherie” adored each of her five grandchildren. And as she did with her sons, she could once again be found on the sidelines every weekend, cheering on her grandchildren with pride. She was always protective and caring. She loved her family unconditionally.

Her family and friends were a constant source of pride and happiness, and she cherished every moment with them. Sherie was the kind of friend everyone hopes to have. Thoughtful, loyal, and always present, she never forgot a birthday, milestone or even the smallest detail. She made others feel heard and offered honest, caring advice. She gave her love freely and was cherished. Her great smile brought warmth and light wherever she went.

Nothing brought Sherie greater joy than time spent with her two sons and their families. She is survived by her loving husband, Mike Koopersmith; son Adam Koopersmith and his wife, Elly; son Todd Koopersmith and his wife, Miti; five grandchildren, Rachel, Lauren, Elliot, Tyler and Mia; sister-in-law Annie Kingan and husband Bob Kingan and sister-in-law Michele Sands; extended family and countless friends.

Her family would like to thank the wonderful nurses and staff at Laurelwood at the Pinehills in Plymouth, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association. Graveside service will be at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, April 6 at Beit Olam East Cemetery, 42 Concord Road, Wayland, MA. The family welcomes family and friends after the service at 4 Squirrel Hill Road in Wayland.

Marjorie Becker (neé Livingston), of Peabody, Massachusetts, and longtime resident of Lexington, Massachusetts passed away on April 3, 2026 (17 Nisan 5786) at the age of 91. She is survived by her beloved husband David Becker, three sons Robert (Kathie), Refael (Iris) and Monte (Saundra Harris) Becker, seven grandchildren Shayna Baitch, Carly Ben Vais, Aliza Becker, Ben Becker, Miri Vandenberg, Emma Becker, and Eli Becker, and five great grandchildren Bayla, Naomi, Yaghel, Shmaya and Matisyahu. She is predeceased by her parents Jean Livingston Elovich and Ralph Livingston, and her brother Martin Livingston.

Born in the Forest Park neighborhood of Springfield, MA in 1934, she attended Springfield Classical High School and married the love of her life, David in 1951. Over nearly 75 years of marriage, they had 3 amazing kids and traveled the world together, visiting Australia and New Zealand and participating in and leading bicycle trips across the US and Europe including Spain, England, France, Belgium, Netherlands and Italy. On their trips, she would sketch and watercolor scenes they encountered. She was very creative and designed and knitted heirloom afghans and sweaters for all of her loved ones.

Marge loved literature and was a lifelong learner, getting her bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University in Library Sciences and taking classes on various subjects throughout her life. She worked at Lexington High School and Mass Mutual Insurance and volunteered for many years with various organizations including the DeCordova Sculpture Park & Art Museum, Lahey Hospital and with the Temple Emunah Sisterhood, where she held every position except President. She was a member of Temple Emunah for about 63 years.

Funeral Service at Temple Emunah, 9 Piper Rd., Lexington, MA on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 2:00 pm.

Most of all, she was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Temple Emunah or the DeCordova Sculpture Park & Museum, or the charity of your choice.

Jonathan J. Jacobs, 80, of Newton, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on March 31, 2026, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Born on November 8, 1945, in New York, New York to the late Milton (Marans) Jacobs and Ruth (Greenberg) Jacobs. He attended Cherry Lawn School and graduated from New Rochelle High School. He earned his degree in Business Administration from Boston University.  He had a long and varied career in sales management.

While at Boston University, Jonathan met and married his wife and partner of sixty years, Ellen (Arkin) Jacobs. Together they raised two sons and enjoyed a life full of love, humor and family.  He was a force of nature with many hobbies and interests. His favorite activities were zip lining, 10 mile walks, 50 years of weekly poker games and being a father and grandfather.  He had a great sense of humor and was cracking jokes right up to the end to the delight of his medical team and family.

Jonathan is survived by his wife, Ellen, their children Jason Jacobs (Allison) of Brookline, Massachusetts and Joshua Jacobs (Debbie) of Needham, Massachusetts and his grandchildren, Tyler, Jackson, Shayna and Carter.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society or Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A.

To view the live stream of the funeral service, please click here.

Barbara Alberts, aged 91, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 30, 2026, in Boca Raton, Florida.

Born in Brockton, MA, devoted daughter to the late David and Frances (Fine) White.

Beloved wife of 60 years to the late Warren J. Alberts.  Loving mother of the late Neal Alberts and the late Leslie Alberts.

She is survived by her cherished granddaughter, Victoria Alberts Boan (Christopher Boan), of Boca Raton, and several nieces and nephews.

Barbara dedicated much of her life to her role as a homemaker, providing a nurturing and loving environment for her family.

Barbara had a passion for fashion design, particularly in modeling hats. This hobby not only showcased her creativity but also allowed her to express her unique style and elegance and was admired by all who saw them, often becoming the centerpiece of discussions at gatherings and events.

She was a very charitable person throughout her life and would contribute to many organizations including her time and talent.

Barbara’s legacy will be cherished by her family and all who know her, as they continue to honor her memory and the beautiful contributions she made to their lives.

Funeral service Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 10 AM at Sharon Memorial Park Chapel, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA with interment to follow.

Please consider a donation in her memory to a favorite charity of your choice.

Lawrence “Larry” S. Sanderson, 87, of Massachusetts, passed away in Boca Raton, Florida, on April 2, 2026. Born February 3, 1939, in Boston, he was the son of Benjamin and Eva Sanderson.

Larry enlisted in the United States Navy and served for three and a half years and then attended Bentley University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. During his corporate career, he discovered a passion for entrepreneurship and went on to found Prime Chemical.

In retirement, Larry spent his years in Florida enjoying the beach, golfing, playing cards, and attending the theater.

He will be deeply missed and remembered for his insight, his candor, and his stories.

Larry is survived by his son Alan and his wife Stacey Sanderson, his daughter Amy Turell and her husband Jeffrey, his grandchildren Carly, Paige, Caitlyn and Cameron. Also survived by his brother Edward Sanderson and his wife Joan and sister Trudy Levitan and many nieces and nephews.

A service will be held on Friday, April 10 at 11:45 AM at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Lung Association.

Dr. William Clayton “Clay” Cooper, of East Sandwich, Massachusetts.
Clay was born on April 1, 1945, to Bessie Stern and William Cooper, of Marlborough, MA.
In his early years, Clay developed a strong work ethic while spending long days working and driving tractors on his family’s apple orchard. This dedication carried throughout his life and into a distinguished career in podiatry, where he faithfully served his patients for more than 50 years.
In his personal time, Clay found great joy in cooking, boating, fishing, skiing, and flying. He treasured sharing these passions with his family and friends, creating lasting memories that will be cherished.
Clay’s unwavering dedication to his patients and his profession reflected a man who found deep meaning in caring for others. He will be remembered as a brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, known affectionately as Papa, Poppy, and Captain.
Clay will be remembered and forever loved by his sister, Ann Listaite and her husband Robert “Bob”; his brother in law Arthur “Art” Smith; his beloved wife, Tracey Cooper; his son, Noah Cooper and his wife Kate, and their children Mitchell, Dean, Campbell, and Olivia; his daughter, Julia Maniates and her husband Michael, and their children Myles and Meara; and his son, Jared Andrews and his wife Ashley, and their children Cooper, CJ, and Chloe; his nieces, Rhonda, Kimberly, Melanie; and nephew, Joel. Clay is predeceased by his late sister Katherine “Kathy” Smith and nephew James “Jimmy” Smith.
Fair winds and following seas.

To view the livestream of the funeral service, please click here.

Betty-Jane “B-J” (Weiss) Scheff of Lincoln, MA passed away peacefully and unexpectedly in the early morning hours of March 27, 2026 at the age of 93.

B-J was born in Brooklyn, NY April 23, 1932 to Nat Weiss and Mabel (Bernstein) Weiss.  She attended Brooklyn Friends School, Oberlin College, Columbia University, and Boston University, earning Bachelor’s in psychology, a Master’s in Education, and a Doctorate in Sociology.

B-J married Benson H. Scheff (dec. January 23, 1995) on May 31, 1953.  Although Ben and B-J grew up blocks from each other in Brooklyn, they didn’t meet until college.  They shared a love for the mountains and nature which they instilled in their four children, who grew up hiking and camping obsessively in the White Mountains and all around New England.  For many years they owned a condo in Lincoln, NH that they used as a base for hiking, relaxing and enjoying the mountains.

After a short stay and the birth of their first son in Virginia, the couple moved to Watertown, MA in 1956.  There, B-J created a children’s theater program, teaching creative drama and dance.  While the family grew, B-J worked as a social service researcher at McLean Hospital while continuing to pursue her Master’s Degree.  In 1971, the family moved to Lincoln, MA.  There, B-J worked as a clinical Psychologist at Eliot Mental Health in Concord, and then as Executive Director of Wareham Area Counseling Service until she retired in 1994.

After retirement, B-J volunteered with the Massachusetts Red Cross on the Disaster Mental Health Team, and provided services and support for families impacted by the 1999 Egyptian Air 990 Crash and supervising support services around the 2005 Worcester Warehouse Fire.  She also provided support for Red Cross volunteers returning to the Boston area after 9/11.  B-J was committed to finding affordable housing solutions.  When she closed her father’s family business in New Jersey, she worked to sell the property to a developer specializing in affordable housing.  She chaired the Lincoln Affordable Housing Commission and served on the Board of the Lincoln Housing Trust.  She was actively involved in coordinating the development of senior housing, the Commons (formerly the Groves) in Lincoln, where she eventually lived from 2013 until her death.

B-J was active for many years in the League of Women Voters, Women of Reform Judaism, and Temple Israel of Boston. She was committed to the women’s movement, political empowerment and involvement, and strengthening democracy.  She felt her strong commitment to social justice stemmed from her experience as a Jew and the example set by her maternal grandparents who left a comfortable middle class life in Brooklyn in 1927 to go to Poland, Berlin, Paris, and then Lisbon to facilitate the resettlement of over 20,000 Jews away from the Nazi threat in Europe, founding the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS).  True to this spirit, in the early 2000s, she welcomed a family of young Sudanese refugees into her home.

She said of herself “I tend to flow into empty spaces filling needs as I find them. I assume there is a way to solve the problem and so I learn new skills and develop new expertise. I trust people to deal fairly and I have never been disappointed.”

B-J was predeceased by her loving husband Benson H. Scheff, her dear daughter-in-law Faye Goldberg-Scheff, her cherished grandson Nick Scheff, and her adored older sister Diane “Dinny” (Miller) Ashe.  She is survived by her children Andrew Scheff of Lincoln MA, James (and Michelle) Bloom-Scheff of Wayland MA, Brian Scheff (and Joanne Hiromura) of West Newton MA, and Ann-Mara (and John) Lanza of Wellesley MA; and also by her grandchildren Danielle Scheff, Benjamin Scheff, Sarah Scheff (and Ted Pepe), Hannah Horan, Ben-Zion Bloom-Scheff, Mikaela Scheff (and Jake Harrington), Kyle Scheff, Rebecca Scheff, Nathan Lanza, and LK Lanza; and by her six great-grandchildren Nick Jr, Bella, Quentin, Keenan, Ashtin, and Maya.  She is also survived by a large extended family, including her Sudanese “grandchildren” and many loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral service, Sunday, March 29, 2026 at Temple Israel, 477 Longwood Ave., Boston at 1:00 pm.  (Parking on the Riverway).  Interment at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA.

Shiva at the home of Andrew Scheff Sunday from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm & 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm and continuing at the home of Ann-Mara Lanza Monday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Remembrances may be made to Town of Lincoln – Lincoln Housing Trust, 16 Lincoln Rd., Lincoln, MA 01773 or  HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) PO Box 97077, Washington, DC 20090-7077

To view the livestream of the funeral service, please click here.

Dina Vincow of Dedham, MA, formerly of Fayetteville, NY, age 92, passed away on March 19, 2026. Wife of Gershon Vincow. Daughter of Lev and Sofia Lichomanov. Mother of Evvie and Michelle (Martin). Grandmother of Jaron and Liav. Sister of Moshe Lichomanov.

Dina was born in Harbin, China, in the Russian Jewish community.  She later immigrated to Israel with her family as a teenager, living there for several years. She eventually moved to the US (Seattle, Washington) on her own, where she lived with relatives, pursued higher education, and started her career as a college instructor of Russian at University of Washington. That is where she met Gershon and started a family. After Gershon’s job moved the family to Syracuse, she served as a part time Hebrew instructor at Syracuse University for many years.

She had a gift for storytelling paired with her fascinating life history. Happily she wrote down many of the interesting stories to share with generations to come.

Dina was elegant, genuine, and kind. At her work at the University, Dina was a mentor to colleagues. Outside of work she was a creative knitter and crocheter of elegant sweaters and blankets. She was a baker of delicious cakes and biscotti, always tweaking recipes, and creating anticipation of what desserts she would bring to gatherings.

She relocated from New York to Massachusetts in 2019 to be close to family and she loved and doted on her grandchildren in recent years.

Graveside service on March 25, 2026 at 2:30pm at Beit Olam East (the entrance is located at 42 Concord Road, Wayland, MA 01778).  Following services, Shiva at NewBridge on the Charles in Dedham from 4:00 until 6:00pm and Thursday at the Vincow/Jaspan residence  from 5:00pm until 8:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to Congregation Beth Shalom Chevra Shas at www.cbscs.org.