Obituaries

Helene “Skippy” Izen-passed away on April 14, 2023, at the age of 91, loving widow of Eliott to whom she was married for 61 years.  Helene was the youngest child of John and Sarah Sweet of Providence, Rhode Island.  She was predeceased by her siblings Gustaf, Morris, Francis, Eleanor, and Evelyn.  Helene was a devoted mother to Richard (Cathie), Ronald (Anna) and Mark (Carol), adored nana to Allison (Brian), Eric, Daniel, Steven (Dylan) and Sydney, (Neil) and great nana to Leo, Olivia, Andres, and Mateo.   She was adored by everyone she met and leaves behind many wonderful friends and family.

Helene will be remembered for her ability to light up a room with her smile and her infectious laugh. Whether baking, arranging flowers, or throwing parties, her warmth shone through in everything she did and being with loved ones was the central pillar of her life. Her charisma drew people to her, and Helene brought beauty and love to all who knew her. Helene rests peacefully with her husband Eliott knowing that her life’s work is fulfilled: the family they built is full of light and love.

To view recording of funeral service click here

Nonnie Hamovitch

July 9, 1952-April 18, 2023

It is with great sadness that the family of Nonnie Hamovitch z”l announces her passing on Tuesday, April 18 in Brookline, Massachusetts. Beloved wife and partner of Bruce Cedar, deeply loved and loving mother of Tessa (Daniel Mark), Arielle ( David Duchovny) and Emma (Adam Shapiro), proud Bubbe of Maeve and Cleo Mark and Seth Shapiro.  Loving sister and sister-in-law of Greg Hamovitch and Pam Cappe Hamovitch, Jon Hamovitch and Bonnie Kirsh, Eric Hamovitch z”l and Gouedala Marius.

Born in Montreal, Quebec, Nonnie was the second child and only daughter of the late Evelyn and Sam Hamovitch. She attended French and English schools in Montreal before setting off for university in Ottawa, Aix-en Provence and Montreal, graduating with a degree in French Literature. She found her true calling working with people in crisis, a few years later. She completed a Masters Degree in Psychology at Boston University and worked in Greater Boston before joining Bruce at CMG Associates. There she specialized in providing emergency support to employees in critical need while setting up longer term services in their work and home communities.

Nonnie was enormously caring, perceptive, and dedicated to people in her orbit. She built community to celebrate togetherness and she was there for everyone in sickness or in health. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends, in Boston, Toronto, California, New York, Montreal, Vancouver and Lake Patrick where she went every year to swim, play and relax in the outdoors.

She was thoughtful, opinionated, passionate about causes she cared about and thoroughly Canadian.

Funeral Services to be held at Temple Israel in Boston on Monday, April 24, 2023 at 11:00 AM.

Shiva will be held Monday and Tuesday evening 6:00 – 8:00 at the Cedar/Hamovitch home.

To view the livestream of service click here

To view the recording of the interment service, please click here.

Alfred L. Goldberg “Fred” died peacefully at his home in Brookline on April 18, 2023 after a long illness, at the age of 80.  Fred was a cell biologist-biochemist and a longstanding professor at Harvard Medical School.  He was the son of Philip and Mary Goldberg of Providence, RI, the husband of retired hematologist Joan Helpern Goldberg MD, the father of jazz pianist Aaron Goldberg of New York City, and the father of progressive political software engineer Julie Goldberg of Seattle.  He was predeceased by his brother, concert promoter Harris Goldberg of Woodstock, NY.

Fred graduated from Classical High School in Providence in 1959 and from Harvard College in 1963, magna cum laude in Biochemical Sciences.  As an undergraduate he worked in the lab of Nobel prize-winning geneticist James Watson and was a founding member of the short-lived Harvard Tiddlywinks team.  After graduation he spent a year as a Churchill Scholar at Cambridge University, and then two years as a medical student at Harvard Medical School before receiving a PhD in Physiology in 1968 and joining the HMS Faculty.  Fred became a full professor at Harvard Medical School in 1977, and emeritus professor in 2022.

His 60 years of research elucidated the key features of intracellular protein degradation, a field that he helped to found.  In the late 1970s he discovered the proteasome, a large multisubunit protease complex that is crucial in eliminating abnormal proteins (intracellular garbage disposal), and regulating the levels of normal ones. This mechanism has turned out to be fundamental to how cells rapidly regulate many physiological processes, including cell division, gene expression and other key biological events. His work showed that this was important in activation of the inflammatory response and immune defenses against viruses and cancer. His research has also had implications for the problem of muscle wasting, for neurologic diseases characterized by the accumulation of abnormal proteins, as well as for immunology and chemotherapy. He later helped start a small biotech company that, together with his lab,  ultimately developed the proteasome inhibitor Bortezomib/Velcade.  This drug has been used world-wide to treat multiple myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow, in hundreds of thousands of patients and proteasome inhibitors have been widely used in biomedical research. .

Fred stayed highly active writing research papers, supervising his lab and interacting with colleagues up until his death.  Many of his former trainees went on to illustrious scientific careers worldwide, and he maintained close friendships and collaborations with peers, mentors and protegés alike.  His interests extended beyond science to society at large, including contemporary politics and world history.  An amateur poet and music lover, Fred was a true polymath as well as a joyous, warm and funny soul, specializing in doggerel for memorable occasions.

He was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, The National Academy of Sciences, and a fellow of the American Physiological Society.

Donations in his name may be made to the Alfred and Joan Goldberg Education and Fellowship Fund for Cell Biology at Harvard Medical School, to the J Street Education Fund, or to Partners in Health.  His funeral will be at 11 AM at Temple Israel, Boston on Thursday, April 20, 2023 with interment at Mount Auburn Cemetery afterwards.

Irwin Michael Sallen, “Mike” died on April 18, 2023, in the presence of his daughters, Judith and Amy. He is predeceased by his wife Irene and his son Roy. He is survived by his children Judith, Bruce, and Amy, by his nephew Matthew Salovitz, by his grandchildren Harry and George, George’s wife Ceira, and by his children’s spouses and partners, James, Desiree, and Judy.

Mike was born Irwin Michael Salovitz in Boston on January 5, 1924. He was an excellent student, loved music and books, and grew up in the West End of Boston in a vibrant Jewish and Italian community. As a teenager, he enlisted in the US Army Air Core and served as a radio operator during World War II with the 449^th bomber group. His plane was shot down over Romania and he was the only member of his crew to survive. He was captured and spent 11 months as a prisoner of war. He was decorated with a purple heart for his service.

Mike attended Harvard University on the GI bill and majored in history. He reunited with his childhood sweetheart, Irene Shirley Freedman, they soon married, and had four children. They raised their family in Stoughton and Brookline MA.

Mike worked in education for all of his career. He started as a history teacher in the Boston Public Schools, where he was one of the first Jewish teachers hired. He then worked as an administrator. He was a popular assistant principal at the Curley School in Jamaica Plain, and a well-respected principal at the Agassiz School, now the Margarita Nunez. He was president of the BPS principal’s association and served as editor of the Principal’s Newsletter for Harvard University. He also taught religious school at Temple Israel in Boston and was an active member of the synagogue, especially in the Torah study groups.

Mike will be remembered as the writer and host of “The Fun Show,” one of Brookline cable’s longest running shows. He could often be found writing scripts in a notebook, reading several newspapers, or digging into a history book. He enjoyed playing the piano, especially Passover songs and “Goodnight Irene” for his wife. He was known for his love of slapstick, his wit, his intelligence, his appetite at the Chinese Buffet, and for a good argument about politics. His family is grateful for his long life and his many adventures.

Services will take place at 2:00 pm, Friday April 21 at the Kaminker Cemetery, 776 Baker St., West Roxbury MA. Shiva will follow at the VFW, 386 Washington Street in Brookline.

Beverly Sherry Karp, age 83, passed away with her son Barry and daughter- in- law Cathy by her side on Friday, April 14, 2023 at Newton-Wellesley Hospital.  She was born in Pittsburgh, PA, the daughter of Helen and Benjamin Sherry.

Beverly attended the University of Pittsburgh. She was a lifelong teacher and loved working with children. She left a lasting impression on the students she taught with some of them reconnecting as adults later in life. Beverly and her husband enjoyed entertaining, making sure friends and family felt welcome in their home and was always friendly with their neighbors. Most recently she lived in the Avenu apartments in Natick. She had many great friends there with whom she enjoyed socializing, going out to eat and playing mahjong.

She married her best friend, Don. They were truly in love, spending time together, traveling together and being devoted parents.

Beverly was a loving wife to the late Donald Karp. She is survived by her son Barry Karp (Cathy) of Sutton. She is also survived by cousins and her best friends Carolyn and George Rosen whom she dearly loved.

Graveside service at the Framingham-Natick Hebrew Cemetery, 40 Fairview Ave., Natick, MA on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 11:00 am. Donations in Beverly’s memory may be made to your favorite charity.

   Leonard S. Hartog:    April 5, 2023

Leonard S. Hartog of Southborough passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 5, 2023. Proud son of the late Harry  and Charlotte Hartog. Beloved father of Douglas and Peter (Traci) Hartog. Devoted grandfather of Benjamin and Noah Hartog. Loving brother of  the late Howard, Stephen, and Robert Hartog.

Born in the Bronx before the Stone Age, Leonard remained an avid, if misguided New York Yankees fan. Despite his terrible taste in baseball teams, he also loved the Celtics and Patriots. Leonard proudly served in the Army for three years before spending much of his professional career in the hospitality services. He played softball, enjoyed the occasional drop of Canadian Club, and maintained an intense interest in both stamp collecting and Japanese culture.

Those who knew him best would agree—Leonard lived life his way. He was a man of character. And he also appreciated character. He never missed a chance to dole out pearls of valuable life lessons to anyone who would, or cared to listen. He proudly gave to a variety of charities, including the New England Aquarium, the Shriners Hospitals for Children, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Wounded Warrior Project. While you won’t find his name on Wikipedia, in the Guinness Book of World Records or in a Who’s Who of Interesting People, Leonard left his indelible mark upon every person he met.

But most importantly, Leonard adored his family. He especially loved chatting up his grandchildren, hearing about their misadventures, trying (and failing) to turn Benjamin into a Yankees fan, and listening to Noah play the piano. He will be dearly missed.

Graveside service at New Hand in Hand Cemetery, 2659 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA on Friday, April 14, 2023 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/

Diane Joy Ceder-Of Framingham, on April 3, 2023.Services private.

Of Boston, formerly of Wellesley, on Thursday, March 30, 2023.  A healer extraordinaire.  Cherished husband of Phyllis (Goldberg) London.  Loving father of Jack & his wife Diane, and Jon & his wife Anne, all of Wellesley.  Adored grandfather of Emily, Julia, Benjamin, Emma & Jenna. Dear brother of Sara Libby Seletz.  Services were private.  In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Abram M. London, MD Fund, Tufts University School of Medicine, 80 George St., Medford, MA 02155.

A recording of the funeral service can be found here.

Henri-Ann Simon Sussman of Lincoln, MA, age 80, passed away peacefully in her home on April 1, 2023 after a period of declining health.  Born on February 7, 1943, Henri-Ann was the beloved daughter of Edward and Selma (Bacon) Simon.  Raised in Marblehead, she often spoke fondly of treasured days with her family on north shore beaches and in Ogunquit, ME.  She graduated from Marblehead High School in 1960 and earned a degree in Government from the University of New Hampshire in 1964.

A devoted wife and a mother, Henri-Ann will be remembered by her extended family and friends as someone who was always there.  She loved a full house and a full table on any day of the year.  She was passionate about antiques, buying and selling, and was known locally for her remarkable yard sales.  She thoughtfully filled her home with meaningful pieces of art, antique furniture and cultural relics acquired during her trips around the world with her beloved Joe.

Henri-Ann was often found in schools, theaters, poolside, game fields and in places of worship, watching her children, grandchildren, and extended family pursue their passions.  Henri-Ann’s open heart made friends easily that she kept for life.  She was a mother to all, and she will be remembered for her willingness to listen and her love of family, bunnies, and a good book.

Henri-Ann was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Joseph M. Sussman and her daughter Kerri-Jae Sussman.
Henri-Ann is survived by her sister Jane Stricker and her husband Robert of Boston, MA; her sister-in-law, Toby Manke and her husband Terry of Fort Lauderdale, FL; her daughter-in-law Kimberly Coppenrath of Windham, ME; her son Andrew Sussman and his wife Kristina of Westford, MA and her son Craig Sussman and his wife Nadia of Lincoln, MA.  She was a proud Nana to Taylor, Leda, Ryan, Hailey, and Owen.  She was a beloved “Auntie” to her nieces and nephews – Eden (Bill), Trevor (Luba), Dan, and Jamison (Billy) and great- nieces and great- nephews – Sydney, Charlie, Jamie, Levi, and Sam.  Henri-Ann was cherished by her extended family with whom she spent countless hours.

We would like to extend gratitude and acknowledgement to all those who lovingly cared for her in her last years, especially her beloved caregivers, the “Sussman Team.”

The funeral will be held graveside at 2pm Monday April 3, 2023 at the Town of Lincoln Cemetery, 38 Lexington Road, Lincoln, MA.  Following interment, observance will be held at the home of Craig & Nadia Sussman from 3:30 to 7pm.  Shiva will be held at the home from 3pm to 7:30pm on Tuesday April 4, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Joseph and Henri-Ann Sussman Book Fund at the Lincoln Public Library, 3 Bedford Road, Lincoln, MA 01773.

Eleanor Budd-Of Boston, on April 1, 2023. Services are private.