Obituaries

Kreitzer (Narefs), Judith E., of Ashland, passed away on January 8, 2026. Beloved wife of the late Sidney Kreitzer, with whom she shared many happy years including world travels and winters in Highland Beach, FL. Devoted mother of Marjorie Braunstein of Hudson and Newton, and loving sister of Lucie Chansky and late brother-in-law Harvey Chansky of Newton.  Judy cherished her many friends, cousins, nieces, and nephews, and especially long-time friends Esta Lee Levine, Ann Arvedon and Elaine Greenburg, as well as her helpful neighbors at The Lanterns in Ashland. A burial and service will be held on January 18th at 1:00 pm at The Chapel at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, immediately followed by a gathering at the Sheraton Needham Hotel, 100 Cabot St., Needham.  Donations in her memory may be made to The Price Center, 27 Christina St., Newton Highlands, MA 02461 or to Newton Wellesley Hospital, 2014 Washington St., Newton, MA 02462.

Robert Tobin, of West Roxbury and Boynton Beach, Florida, 90, on January 7, 2026. Beloved husband of Phyllis. Dear son of Terry and Sylvia Tobin. Devoted father of Faith and Matthew Tobin, beloved father-in-law of Kerri-Ann Tobin. Dear grandfather of Jacob and Carly Tobin. Loving brother of Alan Tobin, Stanley Tobin, Mark Tobin, Judy Tobin, Shelly Tobin.

Funeral services at The Chapel at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA on Monday, January 12th, at 10am.

Lunch Served immediately following service at Oak Row 1235 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA. Common room first floor.

Memorial observance/Shiva will be at the home of Matthew and Kerri-Ann Tobin, Monday January 12, 6pm-8pm. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Robert’s memory may be made to:

Pathway2Possible (https://pathway2possible.org/)

OneMission (https://bit.ly/OneMissionRobertTobin)

Marcia Kaplan Goldsmith, age 92, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2025 surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren. Born in Newburyport and raised in Amesbury, MA, she was the daughter of Esther and Ben Kaplan, local business owners known for their generosity and civic mindedness.

A strong student, Marcia earned a BA with honors in English from Jackson College (now Tufts University). After graduating, she spent three adventure-filled months driving across Europe with friends in a tiny Volkswagen. Her love of travel would continue throughout her life; she visited many places near and far, with a special love for those close to the sea, including the North Shore, Cape Cod, Alaska, Hawaii, and Japan.

After college, Marcia became an editor at Doubleday in New York City, where she worked with writer and illustrator Edward Gorey, among many others. In 1959, Marcia married Carl Goldsmith and stepped away from her career to raise a family in Florida. A quiet but effective activist, she worked to advance civil rights and to improve public education in Miami, which she often found lacking. She advocated for school integration and at one point successfully campaigned to remove a school principal who had expressed racist views.

Determined to return to the workforce following her divorce, she earned a law degree from the University of Miami, where she was one of just three women in her class. She returned to Massachusetts and built a career as an attorney for the state Department of Revenue. In later years she was active in Wellesley Neighbors, a member-led social network, planning events and working on the group’s newsletter as well as enjoying its many activities with friends.

Marcia was a lifelong advocate of social change, supporting a variety of environmental, health, education, and equal rights causes; she was delighted to attend a climate rally with her daughter when she was well into her 80s. A dedicated friend, she kept close ties with those she knew from all walks of life. She loved art, books, and the beach, but her greatest love was her family. She was especially proud of her five grandchildren and was a constant source of encouragement for them.

Marcia leaves behind her son Edward Goldsmith, his wife Leslie, and their children Marisa Rowlands and Ben Goldsmith; her daughter, Karen Partridge, her husband Robert, and their children Rachel, Sarah, and Alex Partridge; her grandsons-in-law Jamie Rowlands and Todd Nobles; her sister, Susan Karas; and many loving friends and relatives.

A private memorial service will be held on a later date. Donations in her memory may be made to WBUR or WGBH.

Alan Gould, of Natick, MA, passed away January 6, 2026, at the age of 89. Alan was born June 29, 1936 in Boston, MA. He was the son of the late Anne and Harry Gould of Chestnut Hill, MA and the brother of the late Gordon Gould of Randolph, MA. Alan married in 1959 and leaves his beloved wife Adacie (Mersky) Gould, and devoted father to Michael Gould of Natick, MA, and Andrew Gould of Northport, NY. Alan is survived by his grandchildren Carlie Gould of New York City, and Lexi Gould of New York City, Sister-In-Law Diane Gould of Boxford, MA. He leaves five nieces, Joanne Klipper of Davie, FL, Debra Fitts of Hanover, MA, Lori Blume Galvin of Chelmsford, MA, Marci Beaulieu of Ipswich, MA and Nancy Coughlin of Boxford, MA

Alan graduated from Brookline High School and Boston University. After college, Alan worked for his father at Park Distributors in Boston and then went into the footwear business as a salesman to later become an owner of Supreme Slipper Manufacturing Company in Lewiston, ME. He was a member of Two Ten Association and a Mason at Boston Lodge in Boston. Alan loved traveling for business and vacationing with his wife by taking day trips, weekends to Maine in the summertime and abroad to Europe, Middle East, and China.

After moving from Wayland to Boca Raton and later to Delray Beach, FL, he became interested and involved in the Real Estate business and furthered his future in becoming a real estate agent for Rent Finders USA in Boca Raton.

In life, Alan found his love for his family and his passion for business. After many years in Florida, he moved back to Massachusetts with his wife in 2009 to be with his family. Alan continued his Real Estate with Centre Realty Group in Newton, MA until he retired.

Services will be private. In his memory, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Miriam Boyd Parlin Hospice, of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Stuart Altman- Influential Health Policy Leader, Mentor and Beloved Family Man

Stuart Altman, 88, January 1, 2026, a pioneering health economist whose work shaped American healthcare policy for more than five decades, has died. A visionary public servant and trusted advisor, Stuart was equally known for his intellect, generosity, and rare ability to connect with people from all walks of life.

Over the course of his career, he advised five U.S. presidential administrations and played a central role in shaping Medicare and national health policy. He served for 12 years as chairman of the congressionally mandated Prospective Payment Assessment Commission, helping guide Congress on Medicare’s hospital payment system, and later served on President Bill Clinton’s National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare. In Massachusetts, he chaired the Health Policy Commission from its inception, monitoring health care cost trends and making health care policy recommendations across the state.

Stuart was the Sol C. Chaikin Professor of National Health Policy at Brandeis University’s Heller School for Social Policy and Management, where he also served multiple terms as dean and as interim president of Brandeis University from 1990 to 1991. He taught and mentored generations of students, policymakers, and scholars, many of whom credit him with shaping not only their careers but their values. His scholarship and leadership earned him widespread recognition and numerous lifetime achievement awards, reflecting the respect he commanded across academia, government, and industry.

For all his professional accomplishments, Stuart’s greatest legacy may be the way he treated people. He could communicate with equal ease to presidents, CEOs, students, and strangers, always seeking to understand and discuss ideas with everyone he met.

Stuart’s passing is a profound loss to all of the people he ever met and interacted with. But especially to those who he loved and who loved him the most: His predeceased wife Diane, his three daughters, Beth Altman Marcus, Renee Altman Nefussy, and Heather Altman. His three sons-in-law, Scott Marcus, David Nefussy and James Shortridge and of course, his five beloved granddaughters; Taylor Altman Nefussy, Allison Altman Marcus, Rachel Altman Marcus, Sydney Altman Shortridge and Leah Altman Shortridge. He is also survived by his brother Edward, and his wife Elaine Altman, and his sister, Ellen Stein. He will be remembered as a devoted family man whose warmth, humor, and kindness matched the depth of his intellect.

Funeral and memorial services are private.  A celebration of life to honor Stuart is being scheduled.  Donations in his memory may be made to Brandeis University the Stuart H Altman Chair in Health Policy Fund.

Stanley Barry Cohen-of Wellesley, born in Brockton, formerly of Framingham, and Middleton passed away peacefully on January 5, 2026, at the age of 89.

Beloved husband of Barbara (Solov) Cohen. Son of the late Milton and Lillian (Freedman) Cohen. Devoted father of Michael Cohen & Annie Bjork, and Andrew Cohen & Susan Parks-Cohen. Proud grandfather of Ella, Jessica, Milo and Liv. Brother of Shirley (Cohen) Sharff and the Late Fred Sharff.

Graveside service at The Boylston Lodge Cemetery, 776 Baker Street, West Roxbury on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 11:00am. Shiva at the home of Barbara and Stanley immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Stanley’s memory may be made to the charity of your choice.

A link to view the livestream funeral can be found here.

Debora “Debby” Grace (née Cutler), 84, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2026, in Boston, Massachusetts. Born on May 13, 1941, in Bangor, Maine, Debby grew up in Old Town and carried her deep love for the state of Maine throughout her life. Her pride in her Maine roots was a constant, and she never missed an opportunity to remind people that she was a Mainer through and through. Debby pursued higher education at the University of Maine and later at Syracuse University, laying a foundation for a life marked by curiosity, resilience, and devotion to family.

She shared a long and loving marriage with her husband, Alan. Her children, Karen and Daniel (Rachael), brought her immense joy throughout her life, but no one could top the true lights of her life, her five grandchildren—Ellie, Thomas, and Sam Corken, and Will and Peter Grace. She never missed an opportunity to cheer them on from the sidelines and ski slopes or to dive into the lake beside them during summer visits in the Berkshires. Her presence was a constant source of love, encouragement, and warmth, and will stay with them forever.

An avid skier and hiker, Debby embraced the outdoors with vigor. Whether navigating snowy trails or exploring wooded paths, she found peace and joy in nature. She also had a deep appreciation for music and culture, and loved listening to the BSO while sitting on the lawn at Tanglewood every summer. Family traditions were sacred to Debby; she honored them with enthusiasm and passed them down with care. From Thanksgiving to Passover and everything in between, she cherished every opportunity to hold her family close. Debby is survived by her beloved husband, Alan, her children, Karen and Daniel (Rachael), her grandchildren, Ellie, Thomas, and Sam Corken, and Will and Peter Grace, and her brother, Buzz Cutler.

May her memory bring comfort to those who knew and loved her. A funeral will be held on January 7, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Temple Beth Elohim, 10 Bethel Road, Wellesley, MA. Memorial observance will be held at the Grace residence, Wednesday 5:00 – 7:30 pm and Thursday 5:00 – 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Debby’s memory may be made to Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.

Jane Maletz Lane passed away unexpectedly at 81 on December 22, 2025. Jane was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was born on December 13, 1944 to Dorothy and Leo Maletz of Lynn, MA, and was a longtime resident of Wayland, MA and Harpswell, ME, where she cultivated two beautiful homes and gardens full of native plants. Jane was preceded in death by her parents as well as her brother Roy Maletz. She is survived by her husband Earle Lane, her daughter Annabel Lane, her stepdaughter Cathy Rohrer and her husband Greg, her stepdaughter Jodi McGowan and her husband Bob, her sister Andrea Chambers and her husband Bill, her sister-in-law Linda Maletz, her nephew Drew Maletz and his wife Allegra, her niece Allison Henricks and her husband Tim, her niece Abigail Sooy and her husband Alex, and her grandchildren, Eliana, Scott, Molly, Eric, and Casey.

Jane loved children and the natural world. She was a teacher for many years and was happiest out in a meadow or the woods helping young children experience the magic of nature, whether one of her students or her own adored grandchildren. Jane’s creative spirit, spontaneity, and humor shone through wherever she went; she always had a new art or garden project that she was pursuing with enthusiasm and joy. She was also an avid Francophile, keeping up with reading and conversation in French and building friendships both local and international around this passion. Jane was very active and loved walking, kayaking, gardening, swimming, and, in earlier years, horseback riding. She encouraged the people in her life to try new things and was always eager to help others.

Donations in Jane’s honor may be made to the Nature Conservancy. A memorial service is being planned.

Daniel Frank, 89, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to so many, passed away in his home in Brookline on January 5, 2026. Born and raised in Boston, he was the son of the late Max and Sally Frank and the brother of the late Janet Salvaggio. After graduating from high school in Boston, he attended Boston University and Emerson College. He worked in real estate and spent many years as president of the Fineberg Companies. Dan leaves behind his loving wife of 56 years, Norma; his two children, Peter Frank and David Frank; his wife, Marisa; and his two grandchildren, Matthew and Michael. In addition to his deep love for his family, Dan was an avid art collector and connoisseur of jazz music, particularly that of his long-time friend and Grammy winner, Illinois Jacquet.  He was an active supporter of The Price Center in Newton, which provides services to individuals with intellectual and developmental challenges. Funeral services will be held at Temple Israel, 477 Longwood Avenue in Boston, on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 1:30 pm (parking on the Riverway). Following the interment at Or Emet Cemetery, Baker Street, West Roxbury, a memorial observance will be held at the Frank residence until 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Remembrances in Dan’s memory may be made to The Barry L. Price Center, 25 Christina St., Newton, MA 02461.