Obituaries

WORCESTER – Felix Mietla, 87, of 14 Winifred Ave., died on Saturday, June 15th in UMass Memorial Helathcare after a long illness.
He leaves his wife of 53 years, Miriam (Oppenheim) Mietla; two sons, Alan Mietla and his wife Tami of Zichron Yaakov, Israel and Michael Mietla of Worcester; a daughter, Eleanor wife of Christopher Girardin of Worcester; a daughter-in-law, Samantha Mietla of Worcester; a brother, Louis Mietla of Worcester; and 12 grandchildren.
During the Holocaust, he was interned in Auschwitz Concentration Camp, where his parents, aunts, uncles and cousins were murdered.
He graduated from the New England School of Design and he worked for many years for the United States Navy Dept. in the Natick Lab and Research unit in research, design and quality control of clothing for the Navy.
He was born in Poland, a son of Pinchos and Sarah Chaya (Levine) Mietla and had lived in Worcester since 1950.
He was a member of Yeshiva Achei Timimim.
FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT 3PM ON MONDAY, JUNE 17TH IN YESHIVA ACHEI TIMIMIM AT 22 NEWTON AVE. UNDER THE DIRECTION OF RICHARD PERLMAN OF BREZNIAK RODMAN CHAPEL OF NEWTON. Burial will be in B’Nai Brith Cemetery.
Memorial Observance will be held through Sunday Noon, June 23rd at his residence, 14 Winifred Ave. from 2PM to 8PM.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Yeshiva Achei Timimim, 22 Newton Ave., Worcester, MA 01602

Passed away  on  June 14, 2013. of Worcester .Services pending

Sydney Yaffe
WORCESTER – Sydney Yaffe, 89, of 7 Southwood Rd. died on Thursday June 13th in UMass Memorial Healthcare.
He leaves his wife of 62 years, Helen (Jaffe) Yaffe; two sons, Alan Yaffe and his wife Sharon of Worcester and Leonard Yaffe and his wife Ruth of Tiburon, CA and three grandchildren, Hillary wife of Matthew Harris, Rachel Yaffe and Dara Yaffe. He was predeceased by his two sisters, Sheila Rothblatt and Renee Bootin.
He was born in Manchester, England and was the son of Isaac Max and Yetta (Gottlieb) Yaffe and had lived in Worcester for 64 years.
He was a foreman for Supreme Coat and Cottage Tailors for many years.
He was a veteran of the Brittish Army during World War II and had served in its intelligence corps as a cryptologist in Egypt, Greece and Italy, where he was wounded.
He was a member of Beth Israel Synagogue, The Irving Yarock Chapter of The Jewish War Veterans Post 32 and was a life member of the Worcester County Bridge Club.
FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT 1 PM ON SUNDAY JUNE 16TH IN BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE ON JAMESBURY DRIVE .Burial will be in Holy Society Cemetery in Leicester.
Immediately following the interment, a reception will be held in Beth Israel Synangogue and Memorial Observance will begin at his residence from 6:30 PM until 9 PM on Sunday and 2 PM to 5 PM and 6:30 PM to 9 PM Monday through Thursday.
Memorial contributions may be made to Beth Israel Synagogue, Jamesbury Drive, Worcester, MA 01609 or to the Jewish Healthcare Center, 629 Salisbury St., Worcester 01609

of Canton, formerly of Waltham, on June 14, 2013. Beloved husband of the late Edith (Barkan) Weinstein. Devoted father of Barbara Russell and her husband Gordon of New Boston, NH and Ellen M. Zane and her husband Peter of Hingham. Graveside services at the Beth Israel Memorial Park, 190 South St. Waltham on Monday, June 17 at 12:00 Noon. Memorial observance will be held at Orchard Cove, 1 Del Pond Dr. Canton on Monday from 1:30-6:00 PM and on Tuesday from 4:00-8:00 PM. Late WWII Army Air Corp veteran and graduate of Boston University. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Gann Academy, 333 Forest St. Waltham, MA 02452.

 of Framingham, MA – Passed away Monday, June 10, 2013, at home, surrounded by her loving husband and children, after a courageous battle with appendix cancer. She was the beloved wife of Serge Kogan.  Loving mother of Stephanie, Larry and Ben and his fiancée Catey McCurn.  Adored daughter of Irma Bookman and the late Lawrence Perlis. Precious step-daughter of Stanley Bookman.  Cherished sister of Arthur Perlis and his wife Myra, Kenny Perlis and his wife Raquel.  Beloved daughter-in-law of Gitla Kogan and her late husband Oscar. Beloved sister-in-law of Marcela Kogan and her husband Mitchell Bard.  Dear step-sister of Jeffrey Bookman and his wife Barbara, and Larry Bookman and his wife Dr. Laura Bookman. She was a special niece to her many aunts and uncles, and an extraordinary cousin and aunt to her numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.  Joanne was a beloved guidance counselor at the Haynes School in Sudbury for over 20 years.  She was loved by her many friends, colleagues, students and parents. She was a warm and loving friend to many.  She will be missed by all. Services will be held at Temple Israel of Natick, 145 Hartford Street, Natick, MA on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at 11:30 AM.  Following interment at Beit Olam East Cemetery, Wayland.  The family will sit Shiva at her residence Wednesday until 9PM. Thursday, 3PM to 5PM and 7PM to 9PM, Friday, 3PM to 5PM, Sunday, 12PM to 4PM and 7PM to 9PM, Monday, 7PM to 9PM. In lieu of flowers remembrances to PMP Pals -Appendix Support Group P.O. Box 6484, Salinas, CA 93912, Dana Farber Cancer institute, Gastro Intestinal Cancer Center, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or Temple Israel of Natick General Fund, 145 Hartford Street, Natick, MA 01760.

Herbert N. Edinburg
WORCESTER – Herbert N. Edinburg, 88, of 54 Beeching St., died on Thursday, June 6th at St. Vincent Hospital.
He leaves his wife of 64 years, Shirlee (Port) Edinburg; two daughters, Gloria Edinburg wife of Peter George of Petersham and Elaine Edinburg wife of Joel Kaye of Edwards, Colorado and two grandchildren, Arie Samuel George and Jeremiah Michael George. He was predeceased by a brother, Murray Edinburg and by his three sisters, Adele Leavitt, Leona Klein and Pearl Waxler.
He was born in Spencer, a son of Elias and Eva (Godnick) Edinburg and had lived in Worcester, most of his life.
He first owned and operated Herb’s Radio and TV Store and later for many years, Worcester Distributors Inc. before retiring about 20 years ago.
He was a member of Temple Emanuel, B’Nai Brith, Knights of Pythias and was a member of Montacute Lodge of Masons.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on SUNDAY, JUNE 9TH IN TEMPLE SINAI, 661 SALISBURY ST. . Burial will be in B’Nai Brith Cemetery.
Memorial Observance will be held through Tuesday Evening June 11th at his residence, 54 Beeching St.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice .

Jill died peacefully on Saturday morning surrounded by an intimate circle of family and dear friends. She is survived by her beloved partner Warren Lee, her mother and father Margie and Buzz Birnbaum, her brother and sister-in-law Jeff and Kristen Birnbaum and niece and nephews T.J., Katelyn and Brendan, her grandmother Doris Zich, and countless friends and family from Beijing to London to Malaysia to Brooklyn.

Jill’s life was a spice rack of colors, flavors and culture. From the far corners of the world to the corner dumpling shop, Jill delighted in, celebrated, and shared delicious foods, artisanal crafts, fierce fashions, and people’s stories.  Her travel and adventures, and the pleasure she took in every encounter, was only matched by her delight in sharing that experience with others – a smile, a knowing wink, a conspiratorial nod of the head.

Jill lived several lives in the course of her 40 years. At the core of her passion was elevating the dignity of others – from connecting and creating families through international adoption in China and Nepal, to child and family social work in Brooklyn and London, to founding Sí Se Puede! (Yes We Can!), a workers cooperative in Brooklyn.

Jill was an intrepid traveler and polyglot. Jill’s appetite to connect with people led her to learn Chinese, Nepali, Spanish, Hebrew and smatterings of many other languages, including her own frequent made-up words and phrases which have worked their way into the lexicon of her many friends across the world.

Jill found her soul mate in Warren Lee. They lived together in New York and London, travelled the world, and were an insanely handsome couple. Jill delighted in bringing together her countless intimate friends and inspired community everywhere she went.

Jill’s memory will be a blessing to all who have known her.

Services at Temple Ohabei Shalom (1187 Beacon St., Brookline, MA), on Monday, June 10, 2013 at 11:00 am. Interment to follow at Newton Cemetery, 791 Walnut St., Newton, MA. Shiva will follow the service at 238 Rosemary St., Needham, MA on Monday and also on Tuesday 1-4 and 7-9 pm.

Please refer to the CaringBridge website below for more information.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, Jill’s family has asked people to honor Jill’s memory with a donation to one of the organizations Jill adored. For a list of these, please visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jillbirnbaum.

Fishman-Esther (Borstel), of Brockton, on June 7, 2013, age 90. She was the beloved wife of the late Hyman Fishman, to whom she was married for 64 years, the devoted mother of Lana Preston of Brockton, Robert Fishman and his wife Judith of Brockton,and Mary-Ellen Briggs of Brockton.  Mother-in-Law of the late Robert Preston and Charles F. Briggs, Jr.  Dear grandmother of Carl Preston and his wife Mary, Rachel Law and her husband Theodore, Jr., Jennifer (Fishman) Perez, Emily Fishman, Tim Briggs and Adam Briggs.  Also survived by 8 great grandchildren and God-son, William Fishman.  Loving sister of David and Lois Borstel of CA, Henri and Joan Borstel of FL, and the late Harvey, Sylvia and Arthur Borstel. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Services at Temple Beth Emunah, (479 Torrey St., Brockton, MA), on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at 1:00 pm. Following interment, memorial observance will be at the home of Robert and Judith Fishman until  3:00 pm Friday, and continuing Sunday, with Minyan at 7:00 pm each night. Remembrances may be made to the Old Colony Y-David Louison Center, 137 Newbury St., Brockton, MA 02301 or Temple Beth Emunah, 479 Torrey St., Brockton, MA 02301.

Bette St. John, passed away on June 6, 2013. Graveside services at Sharon Memorial Park on Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at 1:45 pm.