Obituaries

Passed away on Thursday, July 20, 2023, Beloved Wife of Leonard Segal, Sister of Janet Gorin Goldman (Robert), Aunt of Elyssa Goldman-Hecht (David) and Michelle Goldman Ahern (Christopher). Interests: Book clubs, Friends of the Library Sharon (MA) and Friends of the Library Hudson NH, walking, reading, word games. Deena is a retiree from Digital Equipment Corp. and BWH/Partners Healthcare. Special Thank You to Dr. Jennifer Ligibel (DFCI) and High Pointe House hospice. Graveside Service at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA, on Sunday, July 23, 2023, at 10:45 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, https://www.dana-farber.org/.

A Link to view the livestream can be found here.

Vivien Lee Spertner, age 82, of Wellesley, MA, formerly of Newton, MA and North Falmouth, MA, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2023.  Beloved wife of the late James Spertner.  Devoted mother of Kimberly Ann Halpern and David Spertner. Proud grandmother of Jonathan Halpern, Kyle Halpern, Zachary Halpern, Emily Spertner and Jenny Spertner. Loving sister of Joan Lainer and her late brother Donald Miller. A graveside service will be held on Sunday, July 23rd 11am at Lindwood Memorial Park, 490 North Street Randolph, MA. Following the service we will gather for shiva services at the home of David Spertner until 4:30 pm and on Monday from 3pm -6pm. Donations in Vivien’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice.

Age 74, passed away peacefully at home in Southboro on July 18, 2023, with her devoted and loving family at her side. She is survived by her beloved husband, David; and her deeply loved and cherished daughter Rebecca. She was the adored and loving sister of Ellen Cronin and her husband, the late Joe Cronin; and her brothers, Robert (Bob) Totten and his wife, Linda, and William (Bill) Totten and his wife, Nancy. Rita is also survived by her dear nieces and nephews, cousins, and wonderful devoted friends. Rita was predeceased by her parents, Helena and Robert Totten. Rita was born in Cambridge, MA, raised and educated in Dorchester and then Milton. Throughout her life, Rita thrived on making meaningful connections, in the early years with her siblings and over many decades with friends. Ellen and Rita, Bob and Bill developed strong lifelong bonds, forged in joy and reinforced by their deep caring and respect for each other. Friendships established from different facets of Rita’s life, including high school and college, neighborhood connections, and later Rita’s book club, grew only stronger as Rita and her peers developed a deep and abiding mutual empathy and understanding of their joys and sorrows. From an early age, Rita impressed her educators with her talent for academics; from her teachers at St. Brendan’s elementary school and the nuns at Fontbonne academy (high school), to the Professors of Stonehill college, every educator she met saw how her luminous intelligence (cloaked in modesty) would light up a room. After college, Rita worked a couple of years at a travel agency, which prompted her to experience the pleasures of discovery with her college friends, and later with David and Rebecca. Her next position was clinic secretary for the Tufts Neurology department, where she and a nurse colleague conducted all administrative and nursing facets of a busy faculty-resident-fellow practice with expertise and grace. In his first year of fellowship, David fell in love with this incredible secretary and beautiful person. Before they wed in 1985, Rita took a position as secretary in the pharmacy department at Tufts; she was enthusiastic about her work and felt the love of the senior staff. With the arrival of Rebecca, Rita became a full-time mother and homemaker. She cherished the years of being a stay-at-home mom. Later when the house got a little too quiet, Rita went back to the secretary’s desk for a physical therapy practice and enjoyed the work and the camaraderie of her colleagues. It is no exaggeration to say that when Rita made an appearance (whether at a job, a book club meeting, during a family gathering, or her own oncology visits), with her humor, warmth, ease, and wit the feeling in the room would somehow enliven and the atmosphere brighten, and the faces of those assembled would appear a little happier. David and Rebecca would like to thank Dr. Kathryn Edmiston and her colleagues at the UMass Breast Cancer center, and the staff from VNA Hospice, (Needham) (especially Marion Kettell and Katie Mechan). There will be a funeral service at the chapel at the Newton cemetery and arboretum on Friday July 21, 2023 at 11:00 AM followed by a burial at the cemetery. After the cemetery service, the family invites all who are available to continue to remember Rita at a Shiva at their home. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the breast cancer center at UMass or VNA hospice (Needham).

Cathy Levin Shuman Trivers passed away on July 17, 2023 following a valiant 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was 70 years old. Born on October 7, 1952, in Boston, Massachusetts, Cathy was the cherished daughter of Robert and Carrol Levin.

Cathy attended Newton South High School, where she met her late husband, Louis A. Shuman. After graduating from the University of Denver, Cathy and Louis exchanged vows in 1972 and returned to their roots in Massachusetts. They settled in Wayland, MA, where they built a beautiful life together. 

Throughout her life, Cathy’s passion for early childhood education ignited her dedication to serving as an elected School Board member, making a positive impact on countless young lives.  Cathy’s vibrant spirit extended beyond her role as a devoted mother and wife. Her love for fitness blossomed into a lifelong passion, which she skillfully transformed into a profession. She also found solace and inspiration in contemporary art, and her keen eye and expertise were shared with others during her years of consultancy at Clark Gallery.

Left to cherish her memory are her beloved husband of nearly 19 years, Ted Trivers, along with her daughters Samantha Shuman of Brooklyn, NY, and Rachel Shuman Sullivan and her husband Michael, of Milton, Massachusetts. Cathy also leaves behind two adored grandchildren, Carly and Tyler Sullivan. She is survived by her mother, Carrol Levin, her brother Rick Levin and his wife Arlene of West Newton, and her sister-in-law Barnette Shuman of Auburndale. Cathy was preceded in death by her first husband, Louis A. Shuman, and her father, Robert J. Levin.

In the hearts of those who knew her, Cathy will forever be remembered as a woman of valor, love and dedication. Her impact on her family, community, and the fields she touched will endure as a testament to her remarkable life. 

Services will be held at The Chapel at the Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA, Thursday July 20, 2023 at 10am. Memorial observance will be held at the home of Richard and Arlene Levin on Thursday following the interment until 4pm. The family requests that any donations be made to support the Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment (CART) at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Checks can be made payable to Brigham and Women’s Hospital with “in memory of Cathy Shuman Trivers” in the memo line and sent to Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Development Office, 263 Huntington Avenue #318, Boston, MA 02115-4506 or visit bwhgiving.org/memorial to make your gift online.

Herbert Friedman- A resident of the Harbour’s Edge community in Delray Beach, Florida, died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, July 16, 2023. Exactly four weeks to the day and hour as his wife of 74 years, Harriet Friedman. Survivors include their two sons Elliot and Lawrence; grandchildren Julie, Haley, Ali and Molly; and two great-grandchildren Hattie and Finn. Herb was born in Roxbury, and graduated Boston English High, after which he enlisted in the Air Force during WWII. He later attended Norwich Academy and received his bachelor’s degree at Boston University. Herb was an avid baseball fan, liked the Red Sox, but loved the Yankees. Herb was the patriarch of the family business, Economy Hardware, on Mass Ave., in Boston, which started alongside Harriet on July 25,1949. Herb’s death was a complete surprise to all at the Harbour’s Edge community, family and friends. It is hard to explain that a man of 96 years in age went before he should have, but that was Herb. God bless. Mr. Friedman’s graveside service will take place on Thursday, July 20th, 11:00 AM at Mishkan Tefila Memorial Park, 2605 Centre Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132. Contributions may be made in his loving memory to Hospice of Palm Beach County, 5300 East Ave., West Palm Beach, FL33407.

Price, Nathan age 108, of Delray Beach, FL, formerly of Worcester, Brighton, and Newton MA, passed away July 16, 2023.  Beloved husband of the late Anna (Green) Price.  Devoted father of Adele Wiener and her husband Theodore, and the late Phyllis Clopper and her surviving spouse Herschel.  Proud grandfather of Staci Berkson, Jeffrey Clopper, Lesley Bellalta, and David Flashman.  Proud great-grandfather of Michael Berkson, Alyssa Berkson, Alex Clopper, Sam Clopper, Joshua Clopper, Saphire Hall-Flashman, Evianna Bellalta, and Amelia Bellalta. Loving brother of the late Sylvia Rosencranz, and Dorothy Kupferman. Services and burial took place at the Sharon Memorial Park on Thursday July 20, 2023.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Nathan’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice.

Nancy (Goldberg) Rosen, of West Palm Beach, FL, formerly of Woodbridge, CT and West Hartford, CT, in her seventy-eighth year on July 12, 2023. Beloved wife of the late Warren Kenneth Rosen. Devoted mother and mother-in-law of Heidi Rosen and Mark Greenberg of Boynton Beach, FL, Daniel and Gabrielle Rosen of Larchmont, NY, and Jay and Lauren Rosen of Surfside, FL.  Cherished grandmother and “Nini” of Jeremy, Joshua and Adam Rosenberg, Ariana and Asher Rosen, Yael, Zoey and Natan Rosen. Dear sister and sister-in-law of Rhoda (Goldberg) and Fred London, Dr. J. Myron Rosen and the late Barbara Rosen, the late Howard Rosen, Pauline Rosen and the late Dr. Constance (Rosen) Wood. Daughter of the late David Goldberg and the late Sadye (Orent) Goldberg Feld and step-daughter to the late Edward Feld, and daughter-in-law of the late Henry Rosen and Annie (Miller) Rosen. Nancy can be remembered as the greatest-, warmest-imaginable, vivacious and vibrant mother and grandmother to her children and grandchildren, spouse to Warren and friend to all.  She will be sadly missed, and her smiles, hugs and memories often toasted and celebrated, by her nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. Graveside services will be held at Lindwood Memorial Park, 490 North St., Randolph, MA on Sunday July 16, 2023 at 11:00 am. Memorial observance will be held at the home of Laura (Rosen) and Doug DeFonzo following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Nancy’s memory may be made to “Chabad of West Boynton Beach” c/o Rabbi Raichik, 9406 West Boynton Beach Blvd., Boynton Beach, FL 33472, or the charity of your choice.

Julia (Krasnow) Cushman, beloved wife of the late Frank M. Cushman, (devoted daughter of Morris and Fanny Krasnow of Malden) died Saturday night at home in Sharon surrounded by family members. She was 102 years old.

Ms. Cushman leaves her children: son Steven Cushman (Maria) of Rehoboth; daughters Ina Cushman of Sharon and Deborah Cushman of Dedham.

Ms. Cushman was born in Dorchester in 1921. She graduated from New Utrecht High School in Brooklyn, winning the New York State High School Regents Exams Medal of Honor in Latin.

After two years at Brooklyn College, Ms. Cushman left for Malden for a job with a local dentist, where she met the love of her life while working on his teeth.

She left dentistry to become a war worker, testing gas masks for the United States Army’s Chemical Warfare Unit based at M.I.T.’s Draper Lab.

Ms. Cushman married in 1945, in a borrowed grown, three weeks after her fiancé’s return from the European Theater. She later often remarked that having no time for elaborate wedding plans was the best way to get married.

The couple moved to New York, where she resumed her studies at New York University while earning money proofreading the New Testament.

When they returned to Malden they started a family and continued after moving to Sharon in 1954.

Ms. Cushman was raising three children when she returned to college as an English major at Northeastern University.

When applying there for a master’s degree in counseling, admissions officials told her she was too old to join the program. She threatened the university with charges of ageism, got her degree and had a successful career as a therapist.

After she retired, Ms. Cushman worked until her death as a tutor of English as a second language, teaching and guiding in life many students over the years.

She was avidly pro-choice and worked, pre-Roe, for an agency that provided counseling for women and girls seeking abortions and arranged for them to receive the procedure where it was legal.

Ms. Cushman was a loving wife and mother who fought fiercely for her husband and children’s healthcare needs, spending many days and nights in hospital rooms.

She was a great cook, host and ballroom dancer.

Ms. Cushman was active in her husband’s logistics firm for the entirety of its existence. She also edited his books with him.

Ms. Cushman had been active for many years in The League of Women Voters and was a long-time member of Temple Israel of Sharon.

Funeral Service on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at Temple Israel 125 Pond St. Sharon, MA at 11:00 AM. Interment Sharon Memorial Park.  Shiva will be held at her late residence Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 3pm – 5pm and 6:30pm – 8:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made In Julia Cushman’s name to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Berol Robinson was born in Detroit, MI on June 25, 1924. He was the son of Charles Robinson and Ethel Mallin. He died peacefully at home on July 7, 2023 surrounded by his children in Brookline, MA.

He leaves behind his children, David, Judith Levine (Daniel) and Joanne (Alan Adamsky), his grandchildren, Ben (Laurie), Hephzibah (late), Keziah, Hannah, Nathaniel (Ali), Sarah Levine Woodard (Chadwick), Amy Levine (Jamie Schuster), Rachel Adamsky, Naomi Adamsky and his great-granddaughters Chaya, Ziva and Ada.

He was married for 72 years to Shirley Richie of Detroit MI, who died in 2020. They lived in Baltimore, MD, Fayetteville, AR, Cleveland, OH, Brookline, MA and then in Paris, France before returning to the Boston area in 2008.

His brother Bud (Phyllis) Robinson and his sister Davida Gale (Jack) predeceased him as well as many of his friends.

Berol Robinson was a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Air Force during the war years (1943-46). He was trained to be a radar repair officer but was never deployed overseas.

He was Harvard Class of ‘48 and earned his Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics at Johns Hopkins University in 1953. He taught at the University of Arkansas and Western Reserve University with visiting appointments at Brookhaven, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, as well as a year at M.I.T. and a year directing the US Metric Study in Education. In 1961-62 the family spent a memorable sabbatical year abroad in Israel, traveling across Europe both summers.

From 1971-86 he worked for UNESCO in Paris where he served as a senior science and science education officer, supervising projects in South America, Africa, and the Middle and Near East.

In retirement he was an active environmentalist and a founding member and past president of the Association of Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy. He was one of the first proud owners in France to drive a Gen-1 Toyota Prius.

His children remember visits to his lab, outings to the hardware store, road trips, car rallies, family events, anti-war rallies, and day sailing with his colleagues.  He enjoyed his many yearly visits to Israel to serve in the Israeli military’s volunteer program.

He rarely reminisced, but when asked about a specific subject, he did so at great length. He had a phenomenal memory. Berol was a good host. He loved his family, he loved driving, and he loved a good meal.

Berol Robinson lived a good life.

Donations in Berol Robinson’s memory may be made to:

Doctors Without Borders

P.O. Box 5030

Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030

Brookline Senior Center
93 Winchester Street
Brookline, MA 02446

Funeral service may be viewed on line here  

Harriet Charnow-Robbins, March 29, 1946 faced lung cancer with dignity and died on July 3, 2023.  She is survived by: husband Bill Seidman; children Avi & Daphne Robbins, Josh Robbins & Liz Nahon, Debra Robbins & Larry Robins, David & Amy Robbins,  Scott Seidman & Shelley Poulsen, Robin Seidman & Art Jacobson, Gayle & Jay Seletz; 14 grandchildren; sister and brother in law, Pearl & Larry Schainker, nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her parents, Louis Abraham & Bertha Leah Charnow and her first husband, Norman David Robbins.

Funeral service July 6 at 1:30 at Congregation Mishkan Tefila, 384 Harvard St., Brookline, MA. Rabbi Marcia Plumb officiating.

Shiva: Thursday 5-8pm with service at 6 pm; Friday 1-4pm; Sunday 1-4pm with service at 3:30pm.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to: VNA Care Home Health and Hospice giving@vnacare.org or Dana Farber Cancer Institute  https://www.dana-farber.org/