Obituaries

Marsha Carol Cohen nee Minkofsky

October 21, 1947 – March 16, 2024

Marsha passed away on March 16^th, after visits by family and friends.  She is survived by her husband of over 50 years Steven Cohen, her brother Stephen Minkofsky, her daughters Miriam Cohen Franzen (Kurt) and Deborah Kleinman (Joe), and her three grandchildren Ethan, David, and Anja Franzen.

Marsha was born on October 21, 1947, in Boston, Massachusetts to David and Jessie Minkofsky.  She was the youngest of three children, growing up with her sister, Ryna, who passed away in 2008, and her brother Stephen.  She spent her early childhood in Dorchester, MA living close to her grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins.  As a teenager, her family lived in Quincy, MA right next to the ocean.  She spent many summers boating and sunbathing.  She also helped her parents show movies to friends and neighbors in her parents’ backyard, a tradition that went on for over 13 years.

After graduating Quincy High School in 1965, Marsha attended Northeastern University and the Beth Israel Hospital School of Radiologic Technology where she became a certified X-Ray technologist.  Marsha began her career in Beth Israel’s ER, even helping to deliver a baby in the front seat of a car just outside the ER doors.

She met Steven on a blind date.  After three months they eloped in a hardware store in Vermont, followed by a wedding, officiated by a rabbi, in the presence of family.  Shortly after their first daughter was born, they moved to Greensboro, NC.  A second daughter soon followed.  Marsha balanced motherhood with growing her career, working in the High Point Hospital ER, then at a few private practice medical offices.  She spent the last 30 years of her career working for the Hand Center of Greensboro.  She cared deeply for her patients, many of whom were delighted to run into her in public.

Marsha enjoyed beach trips with Steven, rooting for the Boston sports teams, playing Mahjongg with friends, and spending time with her daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren.  She always made a point of attending her grandchildren’s birthday parties, b’nei mitzvah, and graduations.  She remembered everyone’s birthdays without fail.  She gave generously of her time helping at the hospital many Christmases so that others could spend that day with their families, volunteering at her synagogue including working with the Chevre Kadisha to prepare deceased congregants for burial, working as guardian ad litem in the Greensboro court system, volunteering as a reading tutor with elementary school kids, and helping friends and neighbors in need.

Marsha leaves behind friends and family that miss her, love her, and are filled with wonderful memories and lessons from her.  She will be greatly missed.

Annette Posen-Of Mclean, VA, on March 15, 2024.

Stone, Joan of Belmont, formerly of Chestnut Hill on March 15, 2024. Beloved wife of the late Nelson Stone. Adored daughter of the late Stella and Alfred Grossman. Devoted mother of Alan Stone and his wife, Marla, and Carolyn Miller and her husband Bruce. Cherished grandmother of Jeffrey and his wife Dr. Ghazal Stone, Michael Stone, James Stone and his fiance Ally Bono, Douglas Stone, Andrea Brier and her husband Michael, and Jonathan Miller. Loving great-grandmother of Jacob and Max Brier and Ella Stone. Loving sister of the late Sylvia and Dr. David Kaplan, sister-in-law of the late William and Faye Stone, and loving aunt of their children. The family wishes to thank Belmont Manor and the Karger Family for their incredible, compassionate care. Private services have been held. Remembrances may be made to Hebrew SeniorLife’s Center Communities of Brookline; Hebrew SeniorLife, Attn. Development Office, 1200 Centre Street, Boston, MA 02131 or www.hebrewseniorlife.org/tributegift or the charity of your choice.

James Casty-Of Boca Raton, FL, formerly of Newton, on March 11, 2024.Dear son of the late David and Libby Casty. Beloved husband of Nancy Casty. Devoted father of Lesley Casty Grinberg and her husband Gyl, and Michael Casty and his wife Jeanine Trovato Casty. Loving Grampy of Ari, Max, Bella, David, and Josh. Brother of Scott, Lee, and Ronald. Services at The Chapel of Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 10:00 am.

Хай пам’ять про неї буде благословенною.

Gabriel Thomas Klein, March 2, 2024. Funeral service on Friday, March 8, 2024 at 10:30 am at Temple Emunah, 9 Piper Rd., Lexington, MA. Burial will follow at Beit Olam East Cemetery, 42 Concord Rd., Wayland, MA.  Shiva will be observed at the home of Michael Klein and Susan Cohen Saturday – Wednesday 7-9 pm.  Donations in his memory may be made to Big Brother Big Sister of Eastern Massachusetts https://emassbigs.org/donate/why-donate or American Friends of Magen David Adom https://afmda.org/donate

Pauline Frank

Of Newton, March 7, 2024. Beloved wife of the late Arnold L. Frank. Loving mother of Joanne Suna of Briarcliff Manor, NY, Marjorie Finkel and her husband Leonard of Framingham, and Lisa Rockland of Fort Collin, CO. Cherished grandmother of Rachel (Michael), Joshua (Mikel), Alyssa (Jason), Lindsay (Aidan), Joseph (Jacqueline) and Jordan Rockland. Devoted great-grandmother of Aden, Eliana, Briella, Noa, Ariana, Sadie, Charlie and Bryce. Graveside Service on Monday, March 11, 2024 at Adath Jeshurun Cemetery, 350 Grove St., West Roxbury at 1:00 PM. Remembrances in memory of Pauline may be made to a charity of your choice.

Loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Friend and All-Around Beautiful Person

Ellen C. Lewin, 77, who lived a wonderful lifetime putting others before herself, made a graceful exit from this world on March 5, 2024. She died peacefully at home after a valiant, inspiring but ultimately insurmountable encounter with leukemia. Surrounded by music, love, and family, Ellen left us with a pleasant smile on her face and a beautiful sense of calm in her heart. Even at the end, she was able to put everyone around her at ease.

Ellen grew up in Milton, MA, the daughter of Sylvia Nathan and Dr. Jerome Nathan, from whom she inherited a love of people and music. Although she was a shy little kid, her big, beautiful voice and bright blue eyes lifted people’s spirits from a very young age. After winning the televised regional talent show Community Auditions in 1955 at the age of eight, Ellen brought her singing talents to temple choirs, family hootenannies, and volunteer performances at assisted living facilities throughout Massachusetts. Her ability to harmonize on a moment’s notice and uplift people’s spirits under any circumstances have became legendary in certain circles. When not filling the world with music, Ellen enjoyed swimming, reading, playing golf, spending time at the lake house in Pembroke, MA and following her beloved New England sports teams with a passion rivaled only by the teams themselves.

Ellen loved her life. Mostly she loved the people in it. She loved being a confidant and source of loving support for her husband. She loved raising her sons, participating in their shenanigans, and encouraging them in everything they aspired to do. She loved caring for her parents and in-laws. She loved loving her amazing granddaughters. And she loved spending time with her family and friends, whether in Massachusetts, Texas, California, Colorado or Florida, where she most recently found her happy place at the beach in Naples.

Ellen is survived by her best friend and loving husband of 56 years, Leonard, her devoted sons, James and Daniel, her pal and daughter-in-law Malia, her perfect granddaughters, Kahea and Naia, her adoring brothers, Richard and John, and a massive extended family of relatives, neighbors, old friends and new friends who will love, admire and miss her for many years to come.

A celebration of life service for Ellen will be held on Monday, March 11, 2024 at 11:00 am at Temple Shalom, 175 Temple St., West Newton, MA. Interment will follow at Sharon Memorial Park. Shiva will be at Leonard and Ellen’s home in Newton following interment.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in memory of Ellen Lewin to support cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Such gifts may be made  via dana-farber.org/gift or at the following address: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284.

Additionally, so that others may be blessed with the precious gift of time which Ellen enjoyed so deeply these past few years, her family encourages anyone and everyone reading this to please consider joining the bone marrow registry at https://bethematch.org.

Charlotte H. (Grace) Miller, on March 5, 2024 passed away peacefully at the age of 93. Wife of the late Aaron Miller, the love of her life. Charlotte’s smile was so bright it lit up every room she walked into. Her giggle was contagious. Charlotte is survived by her daughter Marcia Silverstein and her husband Gary, son Richard Miller and his wife Jamie. Charlotte had the good fortune to live close to her grandchildren and saw them often. She will be very missed by all, especially her grandchildren, Steven Silverstein and his wife Rachel, Michael Silverstein and his wife Sharon, Hannah Miller and Jonah Miller. Charlotte also had two great grandsons Zachary Aaron Silverstein and Evan Nathan Silverstein – they would have loved to giggle with their great grandma Charl.

She is predeceased by her parents Sadie (Simons) and Max Grace, and brother Marty Grace.  Charlotte’s family is so grateful for the love, compassion, and companionship from the staff at Adelaide of Newton Centre.

Graveside service will be held on Friday, March 8, 2024 at 11 AM at Boylston Lodge Cemetery, 776 Baker St., West Roxbury, MA.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Charlotte’s Memory to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, 34 Washingtons St, Suite 310, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481.

Edith Claire (Garfinkle) Barish, known to many as”Edie”, of Framingham MA, passed away on March 2, 2024. During her 83 years, she enjoyed a life filled with family and friends.

Edie was born on July 7, 1940 to Samuel and Elizabeth Garfinkle in Brookline, MA. After she graduated from Brookline High School in 1958, she went on to study education at the University of Miami.

During college, Edie met George Barish of Miami, FL. They later married in 1961, and had two children, Marilyn and Robert. Edie taught elementary school in Miami for several years. In 1976, she moved to Natick, MA and worked at Dennison Manufacturing Company as an administrative assistant until she retired.

Edie was an active member of Hadassah of Miami and a member of Temple Israel of Natick. She was an avid reader, enjoyed gardening, photography, and liked watching old movies. She especially loved all things purple.

After Edie retired, she enjoyed spending time with her sister, Judith Chalfin of Natick, MA, her children, grandchildren, nephews, and nieces. Some of her fondest memories were traveling with Judy to Maine, California, Israel, and many more places.

She is survived by her children Marilyn Barish Audet of Shrewsbury, MA and Robert William Barish of Sunrise, FL.  In addition to her children, Edie is survived by her grandchildren David Joseph Audet, Jr., his wife Kaitlyn Audet, Seth Audet, her sisters Judith and Geraldine, and her many nephews and nieces, Morris, David, Ann, Eileen, Deborah, and Harry.

Services will be held at the Framingham-Natick Jewish Cemetery, Windsor Avenue, Natick, MA on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hadassah, an organization about which Edie was passionate.