Leah (Rafer) Witkes

WORCESTER – Leah (Rafer) Witkes, 88, of 39 Ellis Drive, died  Thursday, May 8,2014 at St. Vincent Hospital. She leaves her husband of 60 years, Irving Witkes; two sons, Howard Witkes and his wife Alice of Boston and Neil Witkes and his wife Ann of Gladwyn, PA; a brother, Gerson Rafer and his wife Maris of Cape Cod, two sisters, Beverly, wife of Milton Rothstein of Framingham and  Naomi Caplin of West Palm Beach, FL, and four grandchildren, Samantha, Jason, Alex and Michael Witkes. She was predeceased by her sisters, Ruth Siegel and Sylvia Young.

She was born in Fitchburg and was a daughter of Arthur and Dora (Solomon) Rafer. she lived in Worcester for 60 years. She was a member of Beth Israel Synagogue and The Jewish Healthcare Center.

FUNERAL SERVICES  AT 3:00PM ON FRIDAY, MAY 9,2014, AT BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE, JAMESBURY DRIVE.  Burial at B’Nai Brith Cemetery.

Memorial observance  on Friday afternoon and 2-6 pm on Sunday, May 11, at her residence,  39 Ellis Drive.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association or  Jewish Healthcare Center, 629 Salisbury St., Worcester, MA 01609.