Adeline “Addie” Levitan
93, of Dedham, formerly of Sharon, died at her residence on Monday, February 2, 2015, surrounded by her devoted family.
She was predeceased in 2013 by her beloved husband of 70 years, Harold S. Levitan, and leaves her four children, who were the joy of her life: Susan Taylor and husband Edgar of Chamberlain, ME, David of Cambridge, MA, Mark and wife Gina Zizza of Carlisle, MA, Robert and wife Shari of Sharon, MA, and her grandsons Jack Taylor of Ann Arbor, MI and Adam Taylor and wife Stephanie Milberry and their children Emerson, Peach, and Oscar of Knoxville, TN. She is also survived by her sisters Edith (Kaufman) Mitchell of Westborough, MA, Sylvia (Kaufman) Brown of Bethesda, MD and brothers Daniel Kaufman of Dedham, MA and Norman Kaufman of Sharon, MA. She was predeceased by her siblings Sol Kaufman and Dorothy (Kaufman) Luchner.
Addie was a loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and confidante. She was a “second mom,” to many of her children’s friends, as well as to numerous nieces and nephews. She was especially close with Bruce and Lorraine Luchner and their children Douglas, Jillian and Sarah.
Addie and Harold started their journey in marriage in 1942 when World War II was in full swing. An Army wife, Addie traveled to many cities where Harold was training and made fast friends wherever she went – a consistent motif throughout her life. She developed many touchstone friendships over the years, in Randolph in the 50’s, Sharon in the 60’s, at campgrounds in Maine and throughout the country in the 70’s and 80’s, right through to her most recent residence at Traditions in Dedham in the 2010’s.
In 1968 Addie found a new calling, first as a nurse’s aide, and then as a classroom aide in the Sharon elementary schools. She loved the children, and they loved her. She could be firm in setting behavioral boundaries, and at the same time she glowed with love and compassion. A bit child-like herself, she could readily empathize with children’s struggles. Until her retirement in 1991, many, many children found in Addie a caring presence in their lives.
Addie’s dessert baking skill is legendary. She always had a ready supply of her staple creations in the freezer and could singlehandedly supply desserts for the biggest parties. Her annual Chanukah gatherings were epic must-attend events, featuring the world’s best latkes.
Addie’s innate intelligence, perceptiveness and practical knowledge belied the fact that her formal education ended at Cambridge High & Latin School. She had an infectious laugh and a touch of mischief in her that endeared her to all who knew her, and to know her was to love her. She will be dearly missed.
Funeral services will be held at Temple Sinai, 25 Canton St., Sharon, MA, on Thursday, February 5, 2015 at 11:00 am, with interment at Sharon Memorial Park. Shiva observance will take place at Temple Sinai immediately following the service until 3 pm. Shiva observance will continue at the home of Bob and Shari Levitan in Sharon, Thursday 7-9 pm and Friday 1-3 pm. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Cancer Research Institute, 55 Broadway, Suite 1802, New York, NY 10006 or to The Sharon Education Foundation, for the Benefit of the Lee Flaxer Award, PO Box 470, Sharon, MA 02067.