Obituaries

Bernfeld-Michele of Needham, formerly of Watertown on January 28, 2011. Dear daughter of Helen (Kroch) and the late Peter H.W. Bernfeld. Loving sister of Mark Bernfeld and his wife Linda of Natick. Loving aunt of Rachel Ann and Daniel George Bernfeld. Graveside services at the Framingham-Natick Hebrew Cemetery, Fairview Ave. Natick on Tuesday, February 1 at 10:00 am. Memorial observance will be private. Remembrances may be made to a charity of your choice.

Danis-Adele (Shriber), devoted grandmother, mother, and wife passed away on January 26, 2011, at Hospice of the Valley, near her home in Chandler, Arizona, after a brief illness.  Formerly of Newton, Massachusetts, and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Adele leaves behind her beloved children Jeffrey, Alison, and Leslie Danis, and her two grandchildren, Zachary and Abigail Danis. Her husband of over fifty years, Joseph H. Danis, predeceased her on December 22, 2005.

Active in a number of volunteer organizations, Adele served as a lieutenant in the Medical Unit of the Massachusetts Women’s Defense Corps during WWII and was a long-time member of Hadassah. In recent years, she became an ardent supporter of animal rights groups and natural resources conservation efforts.

 Adele attended the Massachusetts School of Art and Vesper George School of Art. She continued to paint, oils on canvas, well into her 80s. She was a lover of museums and an earnest student of Japanese Flower arranging.  Confined to a wheelchair for almost a decade, Adele faced each day with courage and resolve. She remained feisty and independent to the end.

 She will be missed.

Remembrances may be made to Habitat for Humanity, The National Wildlife Federation, the Natural Resources Defense Council, or to your local Humane Society.

Sherman-Marshall H. of Daytona Beach,FL, formerly of Marblehead, MA on January 23, 2011. Dear son of the late David and Gertrude Sherman. Loving brother of Lucille Sherman and Eileen Morse and the late Richard Sherman. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Graveside services at the Kehillath Jacob Cemetery, 776 Baker St. West Roxbury on Friday, January 28 at 1:00 pm. Remembrances may be made to a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Brezniak-Rodman Funeral Directors, Newton,MA.

Podell-Ronna L. “Ronnie” (Cohen) of Boynton Beach, FL, formerly of Randolph, on January 21, 2011. Devoted mother of Gene Podell, Amy Chapin and her husband Jesse and Jonathan Podell and his fiancee Natasha Burton. Adored “Nanny” of Jason and David Chapin. Devoted and cherised partner of Robert G. Williams.  Loving sister of the late June Raisman and her husband Leonard. Beloved aunt of Teri Resnick, Melissa Gemelli, Allyson Orell. Cherised great aunt to many grandnieces and grandnephews. Adored cousin of Stewart, Marie, Allison and Betsy Cohen and many other cousins who Ronna loved dearly.  Devoted lifelong friend to Joanne Mercadante,  Lee Kruskall, Shelley Lazarus, Barbara Schwartz and Myrna Katz.  Ronna was an inspiration to us all… She lived life exactly the way we all should — to the fullest.  Services at Temple Beth Abraham, 1301 Washington Street, Canton, on Tuesday, January 25 at 1:00 p.m. Memorial observance will be at the home of Amy and Jesse Chapin,30 Kings Rd. Canton through Wednesday evening. Remembrances may be made to Susan G. Komen For the Cure, P.O. Box 415756, Boston, MA 02241.

Podell-Ronna L. “Ronnie” (Cohen) of Boynton Beach, FL, formerly of Randolph, on January 21, 2011. Devoted mother of Gene Podell, Amy Chapin and her husband Jesse and Jonathan Podell and his fiancee Natasha Burton. Adored “Nanny” of Jason and David Chapin. Devoted and cherised partner of Robert G. Williams.  Loving sister of the late June Raisman and her husband Leonard. Beloved aunt of Teri Resnick, Melissa Gemelli, Allyson Orell. Cherised great aunt to many grandnieces and grandnephews. Adored cousin of Stewart, Marie, Allison and Betsy Cohen and many other cousins who Ronna loved dearly.  Devoted lifelong friend to Joanne Mercadante,  Lee Kruskall, Shelley Lazarus, Barbara Schwartz and Myrna Katz.  Ronna was an inspiration to us all… She lived life exactly the way we all should — to the fullest.  Services at Temple Beth Abraham, 1301 Washington Street, Canton, on Tuesday, January 25 at 1:00 p.m. Memorial observance will be at the home of Amy and Jesse Chapin,30 Kings Rd. Canton through Wednesday evening. Remembrances may be made to Susan G. Komen For the Cure, P.O. Box 415756, Boston, MA 02241.

Halpern-Fran , age 91,  of  Brookline on January 21, 2011.Beloved wife of Jack Halpern . Devoted mother of Bonnie Halpern of  New York City.Dear sister in law of Betty Winer and devoted aunt to Stacey Winer.
Fran was The Brookline Town Clerk for nine years, she was active in State and Local Democratic politics, a member of Town meeting for ten years and Treasurer of The Brookline Democratic Committee for several years.
Services will be at Temple Sinai , 50  Sewall Avenue. Brookline on Tuesday January 25 at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at Sharon Memorial Park. A reception will take place at the home of  Paula and  Bradley  Stone, 163 Brighton St. Belmont 
from 4:00 to 8:00 pm Tuesday only. .In lieu of flowers remembrances in her memory  may be made to Alzhiemer’s Association 311 Arsenal St. Watertown,MA  02472 or a charity of your choice

Nicholay Pastein-Of  Boston on January 21, 2011. Beloved husband of  the late Nelly ( Greenstein) Devoted father of Alex and his wife Patricia .

Dear grandfather of Masha and Sonia and her husband Daniel .Services at Temple Beth Am  871  No. Main St. Randolph on Sunday January 23, 2011 at 9:00 am.

Bertha  Gaffer- Of  Randolph , on January 19, 2011. Beloved wife of  the late Samuel Gaffer , Devoted mother of Ellen Brown of Dallas, TX and Elliot  Gaffer and his wife of Beth of  North Carolina. Dear grandmother of Jennifer Brown and Mark Brown , Samantha , Scott and Seth Gaffer. Graveside services at Sharon Memorial Park ( Opposite 41 Dedham St. ) Sharon on Sunday January 23, 2011 at 10:45 am. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to American Heart Association 20 Speen St. Framingham, MA 01701.

Freed-Samuel, of Weston, formerly of Newton on January 20, 2011. Beloved husband of the late Martha (Shapiro) Freed. Devoted father of David Freed and his wife Arlene, and Alan Freed and his wife Roberta. Dear grandfather of Andrew and his wife Meredith, Benjamin, Michael and his fiance Kate Lussier and Matthew and his wife Christina and great-grandfather of Ryan. Loving brother of Aleck Freed and the late Mollie Liberman, Sophie Levine and Leon Freed. Graveside services at Sharon Memorial Park,Sharon on Sunday, January 23 at 11:45 am. Memorial observance will be at the home of Alan and Roberta Freed onSunday until 9 pm and Monday 2-5, 7-9 pm. In Lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to a charity of your choice.

Fisher- Rowena of  Newton, on January 17, 2011. Beloved wife of the late Dr. H. Bernard “Bud” Fisher . Devoted mother of  Nancy J. Fisher , Susan J. Fisher and the late Eric J. Fisher. Private Graveside services were held