Obituaries

Lawrence “Larry” Kotin, of Cambridge MA. Born 1940 in Monticello, NY, raised in South Fallsburg, NY, educated in New York and Paris, and devoted resident of Cambridge, MA for 44 years. Beloved son of Edward Kotin and Ada (Gerson) Kotin, and brother to David and John Kotin. Devoted father to Alison Kotin and Jack Kotin. Proud grandfather to Ada Kotin Webb. A pioneer in the field of special education law in Massachusetts, and founding partner of Kotin, Crabtree & Strong, LLP, Larry’s tireless advocacy for families of children with special needs and the universal right to education continues to inspire. A devoted colleague, treasured neighbor, beloved grandfather, father, father-in-law, brother, and uncle, and an open-hearted friend to any person in need.

Services were private. Donations may be made in Larry’s honor to GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (https://www.glad.org) or the Federation for Children with Special Needs (https://fcsn.org).

KAPLAN, Susan Leslie, of Framingham, on May 15, 2022. Daughter of the late Herman and Esther (Milton) Steckerl.  Beloved wife of Arthur H. Kaplan. Devoted mother of E David Kaplan and Laura Eve Waldman. Cherished grandmother of Emily and Katy Waldman and Sarah Kaplan. Loving sister-in-law of Dr. Joshua M. Kaplan and sister of Ellen Rosenblatt.

Graveside service will be held at Or Emet Cemetery, 776 Baker St., West Roxbury, MA on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at 11AM. Following interment, family and friends are invited to gather at Golden Temple, 1651 Beacon St., Brookline, MA at 12:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org.

To view the livestream of the service at Temple Beth Shalom please click here.

To view the interment service at Sharon Memorial Park at approximately 11:30am  please click here.

of Brookline, on May 13, 2022. Beloved husband and best friend of Devra (Kimball) Lasden. Devoted father of Susan Young, Stephen Lasden and Cynthia Lasden. Cherished grandfather of Marisa Young and Lina Lasden. Dear brother of the late Lillian Morse and  brother-in-law of Margie Kimball. Loving uncle of Audrey and Donald Garcia, Marcia and Greg Roy, and Heidi and Jeff Popkin. Also survived by many great nieces and nephews. Don was a father and grandfather figure and a great friend to all. Services will be at Temple Beth Shalom, 670 Highland Ave., Needham, MA on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at 10AM. Masks are required. Interment to follow at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA. Family and friends are welcome to visit at the home of Heidi and Jeff Popkin – 58 Hillside Avenue in Needham – immediately following the interment until 7:30 pm and on Wednesday from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.  The shiva visitation will be held outdoors.  A minyan service will be held on Tuesday evening towards the end of the visitation. Remembrances may be made to the Grebber Memorial Fund at Temple Beth Shalom, Needham. https://www.tbsneedham.org/donate

Dr. Joel Vincent Weinstock passed away on Saturday, May 7, 2022.  An international pioneer in the study and treatment of inflammatory conditions of the digestive system, Dr. Weinstock coined the term “hygiene hypothesis” – the theory that raising children in extremely hygienic environments has an adverse impact on immune development, predisposing them to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other immunological disorders later in life.  Dr. Weinstock is world-renowned for his innovative and extensive research on helminths – small, parasitic worms, once more common in the intestinal tract, that have shown to be protective against IBD.

Born on March 21, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan to middle-class parents Esther and Herman Weinstock during the height of the space race, Joel developed his knack for medicine and ingenuity at an early age.  After finishing high school, Dr. Weinstock won a full scholarship to Wayne State University School of Medicine, where he graduated at the top of his class. He completed his residency and fellowship at University Hospitals and Clinics of Michigan in Ann Arbor before returning to Wayne State as Vice-Chief in the Division of Gastroenterology, where he cultivated his expertise in inflammatory bowel disease, publishing breakthrough papers in the new era of study involving granuloma development and immune regulation.

At the age of 35, Dr. Weinstock left Wayne State to become Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and of the Digestive Disease Center at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa, positions he held for 19 years until 2005, when he became Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, a position he held for the following 15 years.

Dr. Weinstock was known professionally as a devoted physician leader, researcher, educator, and fierce advocate for his patients and their families. He often gave patients his home telephone number.  His laboratory was awarded millions of dollars in decades of funding to active research programs, encompassing basic science through clinical trials related to IBD.

As devoted as Dr. Weinstock was to fathering breakthroughs in his field of study, Joel was an equally devoted and successful husband and father to his family. He was an avid student of history, lover of nature, director of projects, appreciator of culture, and a loyal friend to many. Joel was especially fond of multi-colored lilies throughout his garden that he affectionately called his fireworks.

Dr. Weinstock is survived by his wife of 40 years, Alison, and their adult children Lisa, Jeff, and Andrew, who all reside in the Boston area.  A funeral service will take place on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 11:30 am at Beit Olam East Cemetery, 44 Concord Rd., Wayland, MA 01778.

For livestream link to view funeral service click here.

On Saturday, May 7, 2022. Predeceased by his beloved wife, Jane Ellen (Covitz) Greenfield, parents Sidney and Claudia Greenfield, and sister Joan Greenfield. Arthur leaves his brothers-in-law David Covitz and wife Karen and William Covitz and wife Catherine. He was the beloved uncle of Dr. Lynne Hardy and husband Drew, Amy Arnold, Rabbi Mark Covitz and wife Stacy, Robert Covitz and wife Rabbi Stephanie, Jeffrey Covitz and wife Elizabeth, and many great-nieces and nephews. Dear Cousin of Ronald Lefton and his wife Deborah, and Jane Ellen Greenfield and numerous cousins. Arthur’s service will be held on Friday, May 13, 2022, at Sharon Memorial Park at 10:45 am. Please go to Brezniakfd.com for livestream link. Remembrances in Arthur’s memory may be made to Hebrew Senior Life,1200 Centre St., Roslindale, MA 02131.

Virginia “Ginger” Dobbie, passed away Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at her home surrounded by her family.

Dear daughter of the late Donald A. Dobbie and Virginia T. (Thurlow) Dobbie. Beloved Wife of Daniel A. Greenblatt. Devoted mother of Eva Smith and her husband Mike of Leesburg, VA, Susan Harrington and her husband Dave of Woburn, MA and Donna Ben-Moshe and her husband Avi of Springfield, VA. Proud grandmother of Ellie and Mason Smith, Jonathan, David and Ryan Harrington, Solomon, Thadea and Amos Ben-Moshe. Loving sister of Susan Hayward and the late Ellen Full.

Ginger was born in White Plains, NY, and grew up in Scarsdale, NY. From a very young age and throughout her life she was happiest when doing her artwork: drawing, painting, knitting, crocheting, needlework, quilting, sewing, beading bracelets etc.

Ginger studied nursing at the University of Rochester. She moved to the Boston area in 1970 where she worked as a RN at various medical institutions including the Boston Floating Hospital for Infants & Children, Nantucket Hospital, Youville Hospital, The Dorchester Clinic, and her longest employment being at Somerville Hospital where she spent 26 years. After retiring from nursing in 2012 she focused on her lifelong love of the arts. She was a signature member and board member of the N.E. Watercolor society, a member of the Malden Sketch Group, and a member to art associations in North Shore, Rockport, Concord, and Reading. She was also involved in various crafting and volunteer groups.

A funeral service will be held at Mt Auburn Cemetery in the Story Chapel, 580 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge at 11am on Tuesday May 10th, 2022 with memorial reception to follow 2-5pm at the Burlington Marriott. Donations in her memory may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Graveside service at Puritan Cemetery, 776 Baker St., West Roxbury, on Friday, May 6, 2022 at 11 am.

Toby “Thelma” (Katz) Kennen, of Waltham, MA passed away May 1, 2022. She was 95 years old. Daughter of the late Max and Annie E. (Cohen) Katz. Beloved wife of the late Julius “Yukee” Kennen. Devoted mother of Anita Kennen, Robert Kennen and his wife Elaine, Alan Kennen and his wife Gelene, and Jeffrey Kennen and his wife Laurie. Cherished grandmother of Lisa McCarthy and her husband Andrew, Michael, Brian, Aaron, and Aliana Kennen and great-grandmother of Connor and Liam McCarthy. Dear sister of the late Maurice “Moe” Katz.

Graveside service at Beth Israel Memorial Park, 190 South St., Waltham, Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 11:00 am. Memorial observance immediately following the service at Temple Beth Israel, 25 Harvard St., Waltham, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations in Toby’s memory may be made to Temple Beth Israel, 25 Harvard St., Waltham, MA 02453.

Keimach, Louis, of Canton, MA, formerly of Randolph, MA and Boynton Beach, FL, passed away on May 1, 2022. Beloved husband of the late Ethel (Shriber) Keimach. Devoted father of Gary Keimach and his wife Shelley of Sharon, MA, Lisa Winch and her husband Todd of Southlake, TX, and the late Lora Beth Keimach. Proud grandfather of Eli Keimach and his wife Priscilla, Anabelle Keimach, and Sarah Winch. Services at Temple Israel, 125 Pond St., Sharon, MA on Tuesday, May 3^rd at 1 pm. Interment at Sharon Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations in Louis’ memory may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 220 N. Main St. #104, Natick, MA 01760.