Archive: September, 2025

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

ANNE LARDNER PALMS CHALMERS

December 20, 1942 – September 27, 2025

Anne Lardner Palms Chalmers died peacefully at home in Needham, Massachusetts on September 27, 2025 after a long illness.  At her side was her loving wife, Holly Gunner. She is also survived by her son, Christopher Chalmers, and her brother and his wife, Tony and Ann Palms.  Born on December 20, 1942, she grew up in Washington, DC. She attended the Potomac School, was graduated from Smith College, and earned a Masters degree from NYU’s Institute of Fine Arts. During study for her Master’s degree, Anne attended London’s Courtauld Institute of Art and won an internship in the Rare Books department of New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Anne was a talented watercolorist whose paintings were primarily of nature and landscapes. She loved the structure of trees, clouds and water. A Signature Member of the New England Watercolor Society, Anne also was active, as a long-time resident, in the Newton Art Association. Her work was shown at juried shows of the Guild of Boston Artists.

Music was also a central part of her life. Her love of choral music came from her parents, Anne and Francis Palms, Jr. For many years, Anne sang with, and was on the board of, Musica Sacra, a well-known group in Cambridge. A member of the Boston Early Music Festival Corporation, in her early adult years Anne sang with another local choral group, Quadrivium, and performed in the Christmas Revels. These groups benefited from her skill as a graphic artist because she designed many of their programs and publicity pieces.

Anne applied her skills as a graphic artist and undergraduate degree as an English major to the craft of book design. For nearly three decades, she was a Senior Designer at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Trade Book Division, and also did freelance work for Beacon Press. Her career started at the independent publisher of fine books, David Godine. A woman who worked exceptionally well with people, she was assigned to design the books of many prominent authors, including poet Mary Oliver, Alison Bechdel, Donald Hall (America’s Poet Laureate), and Jonathan Safran Foer. She did the complex designs of the Peterson Field Guides series, as well as a guide to birds by the famous birding author, Kenn Kaufman.  Anne also was tapped to be Houghton Mifflin’s Senior Designer of Cookbooks, including the Gourmet Magazine volumes. In her final years, as a resident of retirement community North Hill, she worked with museum artist Helen Meyrowitz to place images of Meyrowitz’s paintings in a community publication. Throughout her life, Anne Palms Chalmers lived in and helped create a world of beauty, light and the creative spirit.

Funeral Service at Temple Israel, 477 Longwood Ave., (parking on the Riverway), Boston, MA on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 11:00 am. A livestream link can be found at brezniakfd.com. Interment to follow at Newton Cemetery, 791 Walnut St., Newton, MA. Memorial observance info to be shared at funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations in Anne’s memory may be made to The Potomac School, c/o Development Department, 1301 Potomac School Road, McLean, VA 22101 or ACLU of Massachusetts Foundation, One Center Plaza, Suite 850, Boston, MA 02108.

Entered into rest, after a prolonged illness, on Monday, September 22, 2025, Robin A. Slater of West Newton, MA, formerly of Waltham, MA. Daughter of the late Melvin L. Slater and Minnie (Shulman) Slater, both of Boston, and later of West Newton. Robin was a graduate of Newton High School and Grahm Junior College, on her way to becoming a legal secretary, a career she practiced at various law offices the last 25 years of which were spent at Ropes & Gray until her retirement. She enjoyed sports, especially bowling and golfing with her friends, and was a big hockey fan. She spent many years volunteering her services at various agencies locally, particularly helping with special needs children. Donations in her memory may be made to Beth Israel Deaconess Needham Hospital.  Robin is survived by her brother, Paul, of West Newton.

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

David Sean Robinson-of Boston, on September 25, 2025.

David was born in New York and was a charming young man who dreamed of being a screenwriter after graduating from Middlebury College. In Los Angeles, however, he began to volunteer interfacing with   youth gangs and emergency rooms and veered toward a career in helping people.

He embarked upon becoming a physician and entered Medical School. He graduated in 2014 from the Keck School of Medicine in Southern California. During that time, he and his wife Jennifer had two twin boys, Holden and Asher. They then moved back to Boston to live near both of their families.

Although David and Jen divorced, they both remained devoted parents. David completed his residency at the Harvard South Shore Psychiatric Center in 2018. He became Medical Director at Carney Hospital and practiced at McLean and the Dana Behavioral Health Center. He specialized in addiction treatment.

David was a caring and thoughtful son to his mother Gyda and often included her in all of the events of Asher and Holden including birthdays, holidays, soccer games, movies and dinners. “Grandma Gyda” was often the fourth to their celebrations.

Weekends or overnights with the boys were the center of David’s life. The three of them went sailing on the Charles, traveled to California and Iceland for a wedding, and countless day trips for varied adventures. Since Holden loved the video game Super Smash Bros., David would take him whenever he wanted to play the game. Asher loved racing and was taken to NASCAR events to see the races. He got the boys CALY…the sweetest dog ever and Jen, Holden and Asher continue to love and enjoy him as part of their little family.

David will be missed desperately by all who loved him and by all the patients he helped immeasurably.

A graveside service will be held at Newton Cemetery, 791 Walnut St., Newton (those attending will meet in front of the Cemetery office building) on Monday, October 6, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Following the interment. Family and friends are invited to Seasons 52 Restaurant, 220 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill

Vicki Sack, born Vicki Deborah Cohen, beloved wife of the late Alan and cherished mother of Scott and Stuart, passed away surrounded by love and memories that will live on forever. Born in 1944, she was the devoted daughter of Irene Cohen, a homemaker, and Sydney Cohen, a hardworking businessman who owned butcher shops.

She grew up in the Mattapan, Dorchester, and Roxbury neighborhoods of Boston, where she built lifelong bonds. Most of her adult life was spent as a resident of Newton where she raised her family and was close with her friends. Including remaining close with her best friend Nancy, who remained by her side through every chapter of life. A gifted student, Vicki earned a scholarship to the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, where her love for creativity and design first took root.

One of her greatest passions was her business. As the proud owner of Subs N’Such in Boston, Vicki poured her heart into serving her community. After becoming a young widow, she courageously carried on running the shop until deciding to close it and begin a new chapter. She went on to excel as one of the top salespeople of luxury goods and jewelry, building relationships as sparkling as the pieces she sold.

Later in life, Vicki embraced retirement by rediscovering her first love—art. She designed countless one-of-a-kind jewelry and home décor creations, each piece carrying her signature flair and creativity. She lived by her guiding motto: “You can’t go wrong if you do the right thing.”

Vicki was more than a mother to her own children, she was “Mom” to friends, employees, cousins, and anyone lucky enough to be embraced by her warmth. Her generous spirit extended even further to her beloved fur babies—Maxx, Cydney, Hank, Braxton, Parker, Zachary and Lenni —who brought her endless joy.

Her life was a masterpiece of giving and love. She will be remembered for her strength, her sparkle, and her unwavering belief in doing right by others.

Graveside service at the American Friendship Cemetery, 776 Baker St., West Roxbury, MA on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Vicki may be made to the Leukemia Research Program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center by visiting www.bidmc.org/giving or by check made payable to “Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center” with Vicki Sack/Leukemia Research Fund” in the memo line.  Contributions can be mailed to:  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Office of Philanthropy, 529 Main Street, 4th Floor, Charlestown, MA  02129

Henry David Shapiro, 82, of Lexington, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on September 23, 2025. Born on October 15, 1942, he was the beloved son of the late Lillian and Jacob Shapiro.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Cara Shapiro; his son, Aron Shapiro, daughter-in-law, Jill (Winnick) Shapiro; and his cherished grandchildren, Dylan and Lily Shapiro, who brought him immense joy and pride. He also leaves behind his loving sister, Phyllis Sachar; his nephew, Michael Sachar; his extended family and many dear friends.

Henry was an avid tennis player into his 60s and dedicated more than three decades of his life as a systems engineer for the United States Air Force at Hanscom Air Force Base, where his expertise, dedication, and quiet leadership left a lasting impact on colleagues and the missions he served.

Henry will be remembered as a loving, kind, and generous husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. His gentle spirit, unwavering kindness, and deep devotion to family will be carried forward in the lives of those he touched.

A private service will be held for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Henry’s memory to Care Dimensions Hospice House, Lincoln, MA or Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Emily Jan Aransky

June 3, 1974 – September 20, 2025

After a long battle with Cushing’s disease, Emily Jan Aransky, of Needham, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on September 20, 2025, at the age of 51.

Born and raised in Needham Massachusetts, Emily graduated from Needham High School and spent many of her happiest summers at Camp Pembroke alongside her sister, Becky. It was there that she built lifelong friendships and cherished bonds that remained close to her heart.

Emily went on to attend Elmira College in New York, where she earned her degree in education. Following her graduation, she dedicated her career to nurturing children, working as a daycare teacher and later rising to the role of director. She was deeply loved by her students, their families, and her colleagues, who admired her patience, kindness, and devotion.

Beyond education, Emily carried a deep passion for music. If you knew Emily, you knew the 80’s channel was always playing nearby. Her love for music led her to work at some of the region’s most iconic venues, including the Xfinity Center, Gillette Stadium, and the Orpheum Theatre, where she shared in the joy of live performances.

Later in life, Emily found another passion through Scentsy, a fragrance company that allowed her to blend her creativity with her love of connecting with people. She took great joy in building relationships and making lasting friendships with people from all over the world.

Emily was a devoted and proud aunt, treasuring the time she spent with her three nephews, who were her greatest joy. She also adored her beloved dog, Dash, who was always by her side.

Emily is survived by her loving mother, Arline Aransky, and was predeceased by her father, the late Jerry Aransky. She leaves behind her sister, Becky Sarette (Aransky), and brother-in-law, James Sarette; as well as her three nephews, Matthew Sarette and his wife Briana Sarette, Josh Sarette, and Brandon Sarette.

A graveside service will be held at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham Street, Sharon, Massachusetts, on Friday, September 26, 2025, at 12:45 p.m. Following the service, the family will sit shiva from 2:00–4:00 p.m. at Temple Beth Shalom, 670 Highland Avenue, Needham, Massachusetts.

Donations in Emily’s memory may be made to the Jerry Aransky Passport to Israel Fund or the Chesed Fund, c/o Temple Beth Shalom, 670 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02494.

Emily’s warmth, strength, and love for her family and friends will be remembered always.

A Beacon of Kindness, Creativity & Love

Jeanne Ruth Adelman Goodman was born in Chicago, Illinois, on November 4, 1947, the cherished first daughter of Robert “Butch” Adelman and Betty Ruth Adelman. From an early age, Jeanne’s parents—especially her mother—disregarded 1950s gender norms, nurturing their daughters’ boundless curiosity and encouraging Jeanne to be fearless in her pursuit of new horizons.

By 16, Jeanne had already begun to chart an adventurous path, following in her parents’ footsteps to become a licensed pilot. She soloed as a teenager and aced her pilot’s test—much to the bewilderment of her mother, who needed three tries to pass hers. Though it wasn’t until her late 70s that it was discovered Jeanne had a near-gifted IQ, her capacity was apparent from an early age. She was a voracious reader, a lover of animals, and full of wonder.

Her thirst for knowledge led her to study fine arts and later major in literature in college before moving to London in the late 1960s—a cultural epicenter of art, fashion, and politics. There, she worked for TWA and later for an independent media company, where—on assignment in the Middle East—Jeanne left her job to provide humanitarian aid in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) following catastrophic flooding. She worked alongside the Red Cross to deliver medicine as one of the first international responders.

Upon returning to the U.S., Jeanne married John Goodman and continued her journalism career. She wrote for the Old Colony Memorial in Plymouth, Massachusetts, chronicling stories of local townspeople and spending time with national figures such as Ralph Nader (touring a nuclear power plant) and Francis Ford Coppola (on press tour for One from the Heart) for The Boston Globe.

In the 1980s, Jeanne stepped away from journalism to raise her two sons, Jason and Jared. As with everything she did, Jeanne poured her full energy into motherhood—teaching her children to be lifelong learners and fearless adventurers like herself. She became an active member of the Wellesley, Massachusetts, community: a generous friend, a warm and smiling neighbor, and, on more than one occasion, someone who opened her home to her children’s friends for extended stays. She had an effortless way of making people feel comfortable and loved connecting with young minds.

In the 1990s, at the dawn of the digital era, Jeanne’s curiosity was reignited. She practiced early digital art by exploring code-based visual imagery and later worked at the Davis Museum, the MFA, and eventually the Institute of Contemporary Art–Boston. There, she led public tours, learned directly from world-renowned visiting artists, and shared her passion for their work with thousands. This proximity to some of the leading artists of the time undoubtedly informed her own artistic development—and despite being in her mid-60s, Jeanne found her calling through photography.

She developed a singular visual style she called “WaterGraphs”—photographing landscapes and seascapes with digital cameras looking through century-old glass fishing floats that had washed ashore, blending ancient and contemporary practices. Her photographs used the refractions of weathered glass to capture the feeling of being inside a twilight sky, undoubtedly inspired by fond memories of flying through the clouds with her pilot parents as a child. Her work continues to be exhibited in galleries across the country.

No matter what Jeanne was exploring, family was always at the center of her attention and perhaps her greatest gift to future generations was preserving the family’s rich history. As a child, her Uncle Frank—recognizing something special in her—told her she would be the family genealogist, and she treated that assignment as a sacred responsibility. She traced the family’s lineage back to rabbis who came to America with little, refugees who were forced to start over as junkmen before rebuilding their lives, and other familiar Jewish-American immigration stories from the turn of the 20th century. Jeanne was so passionate that, on more than a few occasions, she would appear at distant family celebrations with tales of shared great-grandmothers—bringing forgotten histories to life for present-day strangers and mending broken branches of the family tree.

Jeanne was a great unifier who cherished people, delighted in discovery, and was always eager to hear about others. Her life advice included: “Travel while you’re young” and “life can be hard, you have to make sure to have fun”. Friends remember her as a “beacon”—someone whose endless curiosity led her to explore avant-garde ideas and share them in ways that made them accessible. “I’m just curious. I’ve always been very curious,” Jeanne said—and that fascination with life was palpable to all who were fortunate enough to be by her side.

Jeanne’s legacy is one of vibrant memories, thoughtful lessons, and a radiant spirit. She was known for chasing sunsets, listening with intention, and revealing that true strength lies in kindness and an open heart. She is survived by her husband, two sons, sister, nieces, nephew, grand-nieces and grand nephew, who are so grateful to carry her with them as they continue to explore the meaning of their own lives. She was a true hero among us all, and we are forever thankful to be shaped by her love and joy for life.

Donations in Jeanne’s memory can be made to The Healey Center for ALS at Mass General www.giving.massgeneral.org/healeycenter or to Compassionate Care ALS at https://ccals.org/

Peter Zimmerman, of Hudson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 20, 2025. He was born on a chilly Boston January day in 1940, the son of the late Joe and Evelyn (Teperow) Zimmerman.

Peter met the love of his life, Ellen Shafran, on a blind date in 1964. The two were married in June of 1965 and went on to share more than six decades together. Peter was a proud graduate of both the undergraduate and law programs at Boston University. During his final year in law school, Peter became one of the original Roxbury Defenders.

Peter and Ellen raised their two children, Susan (Olshanski) and Michael Zimmerman, in Framingham. A devoted father, he welcomed his children’s friends with open arms and a “funny” joke, making their home the neighborhood gathering place. He was always present at Susan’s field hockey games, and never far from the sidelines of Michael’s soccer games and countless tennis matches.  When Susan married her husband, David and Michael married his wife, Ali, Peter instantly felt like he gained two amazing new children.  He cherished his role as “Zaydie” to his four grandchildren—George, Rachel, Stella, and Gordon—who brought him endless joy.

Peter shared a lifelong closeness with his brother Paul, Paul’s wife Barbara, and their children, Eric and Robin. They traveled together, celebrated holidays side by side, and helped raise each other’s families.

Growing up in a close-knit neighborhood in Mattapan, Peter cultivated his lifelong passion for Boston sports. As a boy, he snuck into Boston Braves games before their move to Milwaukee, and he later became a diehard Red Sox fan. He was an original season ticket holder of the Boston Patriots and, according to family lore, co-created the legendary Celtics “Beat LA” chant.

Peter found joy and companionship on the golf course, where he spent countless cherished hours. As a longtime member of Nashawtuc Country Club, he deeply valued the enduring friendships and camaraderie that grew from years of play.

A graveside service will be held at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham Street, Sharon, MA on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 12:45 p.m.

The family will be sitting Shiva on Thursday from 6pm-8pm and Friday from 10am-3pm at the Landing at Sauta Farms, located between 20 and 22 Hummock Way, Hudson, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Peter’s memory may be made to: Better Day, 195 Reservoir St., Marlborough, MA 01752 and/or Good Shepherd Community Care, 160 Wells Ave., Newton, MA  02459

Linda Scheib of Newton, MA. passed away September 17, 2025. Beloved wife of Marc Bloom. Dear sister of Alan Scheib.

Graveside funeral service at Beit Olam East Cemetery, 42 Concord Rd., Wayland, MA on Sunday, September 21, 2025 at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The GroundTruth Project, 68 Harrison Ave., Ste 605, PMB 46837, Boston, MA 02111, or the ACLU, 1 Center Plaza, Ste 800, Boston, MA 02108.

Richard Allen Gilman of Weston, MA passed away on September 16, 2025 after a valiant battle with Parkinson’s Disease and Parkinson’s Dementia.

Richard was born on November 27, 1940, and grew up in Malden on Essex Street with his parents, Edward and Ruth, as well as his older sisters, Phyllis and Beverly. He loved to regale his children with fond stories from his youth. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont, and eventually earned his Doctorate from Boston University.

Richard was a life-long educator. He spent most of his career teaching 8th grade English and serving as team leader at the Clarke Middle School in Lexington, MA. Earlier in his career, he worked for the Massachusetts Department of Education where he met Bob Watson, with whom he formed a close friendship that they both cherished.

However, Richard’s passion for educating spanned much farther than the walls of the classroom. He loved teaching his children and grandchildren new things every chance he could. Whether it was pushing them the find the etymology of a common expression at the dinner table, or quizzing them on their math facts, Richard created a sense of inquisitiveness and passion for knowledge within his family.

Richard fiercely loved his family, Judaism, the Red Sox, the Celtics, music, puns, and good books. In his later years, he adored walking up the street to visit his friends and the horses at Beechwood Stables. He also became an accomplished watercolor painter in retirement.

Richard had boundless love for his wife of 60 years, Barbara Brenner Gilman, whom he leaves behind. He is also survived by his sister Phyllis Magerer, his children and their spouses, Joshua (Wendy) Gilman and Rebecca (Bob) Scott, and his three grandchildren whom he adored, Nate Scott and Courtney and Bryce Gilman. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Beverly Sidel, and his daughter Candice Brenner Gilman.

A service celebrating Richard’s life will be on Friday, September 19 at 11:00 am, at Congregation Or Atid in Wayland, MA. Burial will occur in Lindwood Memorial Park in Randolph, MA directly following the funeral. Shiva will be observed Friday after interment and Sunday from 2-4 pm at Richard’s former residence.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations are made in Richard’s memory to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY, 10163-4777 (on-line at Michaeljfox.org), to Congregation Or Atid, 97 Concord Road, Wayland, MA, 01778, or a charity of your choice.

Toby Frances Ulman Grandberg, 81, of Sharon, MA, passed away peacefully on September 15^th, while surrounded by her loving family.

Toby was born on February 20, 1944, to the late Eli and Pearl Carpenter Ulman in Canton, MA, where she grew up, and then pursued her dental hygiene certification at the Fones School of Dental Hygiene at the University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, CT. Toby was married to her beloved husband, Martin, for almost 57 years, and they created a beautiful family and life together. Toby was a devoted mother to Harris Grandberg and his wife, Elana, and to Rachel Grandberg Weinstein and her husband, Shad. She was the cherished Bubbe of Isabella and Sarah Weinstein, and Jeremiah Grandberg.

Toby is a past president of Sharon-Stoughton Hadassah and has also been very involved with Temple Israel in Sharon, MA.  She is a past president of the South Shore Dental Hygienist Association. She loved bringing people together and being part of these special communities. Toby gave so much to her friends and family, always putting others before herself. She was a constant source of strength, warmth, and kindness, a role model for what it means to offer unconditional love and support. She was so generous to everyone she met, and her presence made others feel seen, valued, and loved. She leaves behind a legacy of compassion and grace that will continue to inspire those who knew her.

Toby is survived by her husband, Martin, her son Harris and his wife Elana, her daughter Rachel and her husband Shad, and her grandchildren Isabella, Sarah, and Jeremiah.  She is also survived by her sister Debra and her husband Eric Zornberg and her nieces, Elana and Delia Zornberg, and Pamela Eaton and her nephew Jeffrey Kerner.  She was predeceased by her sister, Roberta Kerner.

The funeral will be held on Wednesday, September 17^th, at 11:30 am at Temple Israel, 125 Pond Street, Sharon, MA 02067. Burial to follow at Sharon Memorial Park, 120 Canton Street, Sharon, MA.

Livestream access will be available here: www.tisharon.org/livestream

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Temple Israel, 125 Pond Street, Sharon, MA, or Hadassah.

George Farkas, 88, of Newton, MA.

Né Jorge, was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Elizabeth and Zoltan Farkas. He grew up in Las Pampas, in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina. George was an accomplished graduate of the Buenos Aires Yeshiva Academy and later received his Baccalaureate at the University of Buenos Aires in Electrical Engineering. George and his wife emigrated to Massachusetts in 1969, where he attended Northeastern University for a Master’s in Electrical Engineering and Babson College for an MBA. From 1980-2015 George worked as a Communications Engineer within Global ASNT and MSI, part of the Air Force communications network.

George is survived by his wife Claire, sister Norma, daughter Valerie, son Eric, grandchildren Gabriella and Samantha, and sons-in-laws Mark Pirri and Viktor Horvath.

The funeral will be held at Temple Emanuel in Newton, Sunday, September 14th at 1pm.  Burial to follow at Mishkan Tefila Memorial Park at 2605 Centre Street, West Roxbury.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Magen David Adom

Israel’s Emergency Services System.

To view the live stream service, please click here.

Lois Lee Kretzer Solomon of Brookline, MA, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2025. Born in 1943 in New York City to the late Syde (Sarah) and Sol Kretzer, Lois spent her early years in the city before her family moved south to Mobile, Alabama, when she was 12. She later said it was “like moving to Mars.”

She began college at the University of Alabama and graduated with a BS in Education from University of Illinois. Shortly after graduating from Illinois, Lois reunited with an old boyfriend from Camp Blue Star summer camp, Harold Solomon of Savannah, Georgia, who was finishing medical school at the University of Georgia. They were married in Augusta, on the weekend of the Masters golf tournament, in 1965. They settled in Boston and despite later divorcing, Lois made Greater Boston her home for 56 years.

Lois’s impressive career in Human Resources and Training & Development spanned decades and included such business powerhouses as Polaroid, Wang Laboratories, and Tyco International. She was also dedicated to lifelong learning, earning a master’s in education degree from Harvard in 1980 and an executive MBA from Babson College in 1985. Her first love, however, was for art and culture, and that led to her favorite and final role of her career, as the Head of Lectures and Courses at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

What made Lois special was her enduring beauty, endless curiosity and energy, sense of adventure, and her propensity to have fun. She traveled the world and made art and music central in her life, inspiring her children and grandchildren to do the same. She was a voracious reader and loved going to the movies with friends. Her travels took her to all corners of the globe, including her final international trip to see the famed Vermeer exhibit in Amsterdam in 2023.

Lois’s life was indelibly enriched by the hundreds of friends she made, notably her 40+-year-old Chavurah and her book club of 36 years. She had a gift for bringing people together, introducing many couples to each other and forming affinity groups – all while making countless lifelong friends along the way. Many of Lois’s friends and family recall having long conversations with her and benefiting from her life-altering advice.

She was a remarkable lady of beauty, charm, grace, and intelligence. All of us who knew and loved her were blessed and positively impacted by her presence.

Lois is survived by her children, Lara Cohen of Wellesley and her husband Craig Cohen; and Jeremy Solomon of Medfield and his wife Michelle Solomon; and her six grandchildren Dara Cohen of Somerville, Morgan Cohen of Quincy, Sadie Cohen of Wellesley; Maxwell Solomon, JJ Solomon, and Mason Solomon of Medfield; and her sister Barbara “Babs” Feibelman and brother-in-law Jef Feibelman of Memphis, TN and their children. She is also survived by countless friends, many of whom were like family.

Memorial service will be held at Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley, MA on Friday, September 19, 2025 at 10:00 am with shiva at temple immediately following until 12:45pm. Her friends and family knew her many passions; in lieu of flowers please make a donation in her honor to the charity of your choice.

To view the livestream of the service, please click here.

Courtney Elizabeth Stano, age 48, of Bow, NH, died peacefully on September 11th, while surrounded by her loving family.

Courtney was the beautiful daughter of Sue and Mark Misselbeck and the loving wife of Matthew Stano. She leaves her uncle, Frank Rudnick, her parents-in-law, Mary Lou and Tom Stano, cousins, and many loyal and loving friends.

Courtney graduated from Watertown High School in Watertown, CT, in 1994. She graduated from Bentley University in 1998 with a degree in Marketing.  Inspired by her own personal experiences, she subsequently returned to school to earn her RN in Nursing and was a dedicated nurse in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at noon at Temple Israel of Boston.  A Shiva will follow at the Temple. There will be parking on the Riverway.

Donations can be made to organizations supporting organ donation, a cause very close to Courtney’s heart and of which she was a fierce champion.

A Link to view the livestream funeral service can be found here.

Phyllis S Sage, age 96 passed away on September 10, 2025. Born October 12, 1928, in Waltham MA to the late Abraham Caplan and Lottie (Lubarsky) Caplan, Phyllis was married to her beloved husband Robert Sage for 76 years. Phyllis is survived by her husband Bob, the love of her life and their three great children and spouses Marjorie and Mitchell Muroff, William and Marci Sage, and Jane Rosenthal and her companion David Welton. Phyllis had seven beautiful grandchildren, Zachary Muroff and his wife Sarah, Brandon Muroff, Whitney Muroff, Alissa and her husband Joey Sherman, Shayna and her husband Ethan Selinger, Jennifer Rosenthal, Samantha and her husband Ryan Kelly. She also had four great grandchildren, Harrison, Madeline, Leia, and Jackson. She is also survived by her nieces Carol Cushner, Joyce Caplan, Martha Eisen, Marcy Prager, her nephews Mark Sage, Brad Sage, Michael Sage, Richard Sage, her brother-in-law Norman Sagansky and her sisters in law Fredda Sage and Priscilla Kay. She was pre-deceased by her sister-in-law Marilyn Riseman, her brother-in-law Burton Sage and her niece Linda Mills. Phyllis was the beloved sister of her deceased brothers, Sam (18 years older), Pat (15 years older) and her sister Sylvia (10 years older). Phyllis was the baby sister.

The Early Years

The Caplans were a very close family and Friday night dinners were a special occasion. Phyllis herself was a very elegant and loving young lady. She had a great sense of style and often would accompany her mother to various clothing stores in Waltham and Boston. She had a penchant for meeting and making many friends at Waltham High School, where she was a drum majorette and voted Best Dressed Student of her graduation class. She attended Mount lda College where again she was voted Best Dressed Student of her graduation class.

Love at first sight

Phyllis met Bob on the beach in Nantasket during the summer of 1947. This was the beginning of what would be a long and loving life together. After being discharged from the Army, Bob attended Colby College. But wanting to spend more time with Phyllis, he began taking more classes at Harvard during the summer. With the additional courses Bob was able to graduate in three years and married Phyllis after his graduation from Colby. In June of 2024, they celebrated 75 years of marriage at the Belmont Country Club with family and friends.

Travel, sports, and fun

Phyllis lived up to her reputation of being a woman of style, and elegance. She and Bob were inseparable and they did most of everything together, living, laughing, and shopping in the Boston area and in Palm Beach Florida where they enjoyed their winter home. They traveled together for business and pleasure, attended Jazz concerts. and loved going to sporting events. They enjoyed going on cruises with friends and visited many countries including Israel, England, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Greece, France, Bermuda, St Martin, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. On one of her more memorable trips, she celebrated a birthday in Venice with their travel friends. They also attended hundreds of sporting events and had season tickets with premium seats including for the Boston Bruins (behind the Bruins bench), Celtics (center court), and the Patriots (45-yard line). But her favorite seats were those they enjoyed sitting only 6 rows behind the Red Sox dugout for over 50 years at Fenway Park.

A Beautiful Soul

There are not enough words to describe how much Phyllis was loved by her family and friends. She was soft-spoken, kept herself in good health and good shape. and hardly ever yelled or complained, even though her health began to decline in her later years with arthritis and macular degeneration. She had a fulfilling life and always maintained that beautiful smile. Together with her husband Bob, they donated much of their time and money to numerous charities, and made donations to hospitals, college, medical organizations, and various other institutions throughout their lives.

Funeral Service at Temple Israel, 477 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA (parking on the Riverway), on Friday, September 12, 2025 at 12:30pm. Interment to follow at Sharon Memorial Park. Memorial Observance will be held at the Great Meadow Hall at Newbridge on the Charles, 5000 Great Meadow Rd., Dedham, MA, following interment, and on Sunday, Sept 14, 2025, 11 am – 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Phyllis’ memory may be made to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Ctr., 330 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215.

Michael Hart of Easton passed away peacefully on September 3 after a brief illness. He was 81.

Beloved husband of 58 years to Eileen (Bernstein) Hart, Michael was a devoted father to Matthew Hart and his wife Lisa, David Hart and his wife Melissa Ackerman Hart, Stacey Hart and her partner Mikk Barinov.He was the cherished grandfather of Lexi, Ruby, and Sam Hart. He was predeceased by his sister, Mildred (Hart) Quint.

Born and raised in Boston, Michael earned both his B.S. and M.Ed. from Boston State College. He began his career as a teacher in Quincy, where he taught for 12 years before transitioning into nonprofit leadership. For 28 years, he served as executive director of Congregation Mishkan Tefilah in Chestnut Hill, where he was deeply respected by colleagues and congregants alike.

Michael found joy in simple pleasures—time with family and friends, traveling, cheering for the Red Sox, and watching the sunset from his patio in Panama. His kindness, humor, and unwavering love for those around him will be remembered always.

Graveside service, Sunday, September 7, 2025 at 1 pm at Mishkan Tefilah Memorial Park, 2605 Centre St., West Roxbury.

Shiva at the Hart residence following interment through Wednesday.

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

To view the funeral service recording, click here.

Nechama Suconick Myrvaagnes, known to most as Naomi, was a poet, feminist, violinist, and student of Torah and of movement. 

She was born in Central City Philadelphia, and made lifelong friends at the Akiba school and through her violin teacher. She obtained a PhD in Old English literature, but her heart was more drawn to creative writing. She was especially glad to have a chance to tutor and to teach poetry in public schools as a visiting teacher. She was a scholar in the Brandeis Women’s Studies program and helped create the visiting scholars program.  

She also supported and curated her husband Eric‘s photography, and her son’s many creative projects.  She touched the lives of many friends over many years as well. 

In her last days, she wrote about the value of Hesed, of simple caring. A heart that doesn’t know the rules but simply operates from love, as exemplified by Rivka watering Isaac’s camels. 

She wrote:

Rifka saw, and Rivka acted.  Rivka was impelled forward by the simple motion of her heart.  She is known as the embodiment of Hesed, the loving-kindness that one could say redeems our world.  It is pure, spontaneous, instantaneous.

In her last week, she let go of giving priority to external measures of whether her poems were worthy of publication, and simply shared what she had to share. And that is how she wanted to be remembered. 

She is predeceased by her father Motel Suconick and her mother Estamalka Suconick, and is survived by her husband, Eric Myrvaagnes, and her son Joshua Myrvaagnes, born Yoho.

Services Friday, September 5, 2025 at 10 AM at Shir Hadash, 1310 Centre St., Newton, MA.  Interment to follow at Adath Jeshurun Cemetery, 350 Grove St., West Roxbury.

Carrol S. Levin of Wellesley, most recently residing at Newbridge on the Charles, Dedham, passed peacefully on August 27, 2025, three days before her 98^th birthday. Carrol was born in Chicago, daughter of Robert and Dora Silverman. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a degree in biology where she met her husband Robert (Bob) Levin, who was raised in the Boston area. After graduation from Wisconsin, Bob and Carrol moved to Boston and raised their son Richard (Rick) and daughter Cathy in Newton.

While raising her family, Carrol was active with various charitable activities and was a fashion model. When her modeling career ended, she worked at high-end clothing boutiques for many years. Her interest in fashion was a driving force throughout her life and she was very glamorous (and an enthusiastic shopper!). Bob and Carrol had an active social life and travelled extensively.  She loved entertaining friends and family, whether hosting large parties or weekly card games. When her children left the house, they maintained homes in Wellesley and Lake Worth, FL, and treasured time spent at their home on the Cape in Falmouth.

Carrol was predeceased by Bob after 64 years of marriage and by her daughter Cathy. She leaves behind her son and his wife Arlene; their children Matthew of Atlanta; and Scott and Scott’s wife Ariel Nelson and their daughters, Avery and Sylvie, of Boston; and her granddaughters Samantha Shuman of New York City and Rachel Sullivan and her husband, Michael Sullivan and their children, Carly and Tyler of Milton.

There will be a funeral service in the Chapel at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA, on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 1:00PM, where she will be interred. A reception will be held at the home of Richard and Arlene after the burial.

Should friends desire, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of their choice.

Musia Smukler Watkin, of Brookline, MA, formerly of Siauliai, Lithuania, Johannesburg, South Africa, and Newton, MA, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2025, at the remarkable age of 102.8 years old.

Born in Lithuania, Musia moved with her family to South Africa at age six. Her life was characterized by resilience, creativity, and a deep love for her family and community. She and her late husband, Joseph Watkin, who passed away in 2013, shared sixty years of marriage and raised four children. Her family grew to include ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, each cherishing her warmth, humor, and wisdom. In 1996, Musia relocated to the USA, where she became a beloved member of the Brookline community. For the past fourteen years, she called Goddard House Assisted Living her home, embracing life fully—painting in bold purple and blue, writing poetry, making music, participating in reading groups, knitting scarves for those in need, and forming friendships with all who welcomed her into their lives. She was admired not only for her longevity but also for her zest for life, her generous spirit, and her ability to find joy in the simplest moments.

Her cherished children include: Dr. Arnold Watkin of Newton, MA; Robyne Watkin-Anson of West Hartford, CT; Sharon Modlin of Chicago, IL; and Cliff Watkin of Boston, MA, along with their respective spouses. She leaves behind her beloved ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, who will forever carry her spirit in their hearts.

A graveside service will be held at Lindwood Memorial Park (Temple Emanuel Section), 490 North Street, Randolph, MA, on Sunday, August 31st, at 10:30 a.m., followed by Shiva at 7:00 p.m. at 120 Rachel Road, Newton, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor can be made to Goddard House Assisted Living via the donate online portal page designated to “Resident -Care Staff Appreciation” or via check

to the above designation at 165 Chestnut Street, Brookline, MA. 02445.

Scott Lee Sokoll, age 67, of Fall River, MA, son of Robert Sokoll (deceased) and Marilyn Sokoll (Bachman), died peacefully after a long illness on August 28, 2025. Beloved husband of Frances Sokoll; Devoted father of Jason McGuire (Jennifer); Marque Scott (Kaitlyn Duart) and father-in-law of Jasmin Vazquez; Dear grandfather of Jaylen, Jayla, Ayva, and Adriana.  Loving sibling of Mark Sokoll (Marjorie); Dear uncle of Talya Sokoll (Tim Follo), and David Sokoll (Danielle Weiss).

Scott was a graduate of Somerset High School. An avid golfer, Scott had the uncanny ability to put an errant shot or a bad hole behind him immediately as he moved on calmly to play the next hole. That was his gift.

He worked for many years at Nate Lion’s Warehouse Sales and was a member of Fall River Country Club.

Scott gave much to his children and grandchildren, serving as a role model for offering unconditional love and support to them always. He was always ready to roll up his sleeves and partner in creating a powerful and nurturing family dynamic.

Scott and Frances were married in September of 2001. During the almost two decades Scott lived with Parkinson’s Disease his wife and partner Frances was a devoted advocate, providing him with loving care beyond measure.

Remembrances may be made to the American Parkinson’s Disease Assoc./ Mass Chapter: apdaparkinson.org

Services will be held privately.

Edna Nollman, of Newton, MA, died after a short illness on August 25, 2025. Her passing has invoked an
outpouring of tributes from her family and from others who knew her. Edna was born on July 25, 1925 to
Bessie and Benjamin Sherman. She survives her husband of 58 years, Herbert (affectionately known as
“Uncle Herbie” by her many nieces and nephews). She leaves behind her son David and his partner,
Cheryl and her son, Richard and his wife, Rene, as well as her grandson, Jordan and his wife, Larissa and
great granddaughters, Maya and Ava. She was predeceased by her grandson, Adam.
Edna grew up in Dorchester, MA, with her sisters Rose, Lee, Kay and her brother Kenny. An excellent
student with a strong bent for the artistic, she painted and did extraordinary needlepoint. She also had a
flair for design, having won at the age of seventeen, a “Boston Globe” dress design competition.
Additionally Edna designed flower arrangements that were displayed at the annual Boston Museum of
Fine Arts  (MFA) “Art In Bloom” exhibition.
Also a political activist, she worked as a volunteer on national political campaigns notably for Adlai
Stevenson, John F. Kennedy and George McGovern. She also worked in public relations for a Newton
City Council candidate. Having grown up at a time when women were not encouraged or given the
financial support required to go to college, she switched to a business curriculum and after graduating, got
a job as a draftswoman at MIT’s Radiation Lab where she worked as a draftswomen on the project that
created radar and television.
However, in the eyes of her children, Edna’s greatest achievement was how she finally went to and
graduated from college. Unable to do so when she was younger, and now with two children still in public
school, she defied all her friends who wondered why she would do that given that she enjoyed a great
social life, lived in the affluent Boston suburb of Newton and had a husband who earned enough to
support all this.
But, as always, she had a plan. She enrolled in Boston University in what was then called its School of
Public Relations and Communications (SPRC). Upon graduating, she again ignored her friend’s
admonitions and entered the worlds of public relations and publishing. She began as a technical editor,
and later worked at Bentley College in media relations as the school expanded to what is the present day
Bentley University.
Edna had a wide circle of friends as well and had a large and close extended family. She had a great
sense of humor and brightened all gatherings with her dry wit and keen sense of humor. She loved
spending time on the golf course, reading a good book and watching classic movies. Her favorite movie
was “Aunty Mame” to which she took her son to see when he was in grade school, after which he turned
to her and said of the character, Aunty Mame, “that was you!”
A graveside service will be held at Sharon Memorial Park on Thursday, August 28 at 12:45pm.
Remembrances of Edna may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Center.

Ron Sockol of Needham, MA, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2025.

Beloved husband of Lois Sockol for 71 years. Devoted father of Eric Sockol and his wife Judy, Jon Sockol and his wife Vivian, Jim Sockol and his wife Margie, and the late Michael Sockol. Cherished grandfather of Alyson, Jessica, Matthew, Thomas, Gerad, Michala, Ben, Brian, and Danielle, and proud great-grandfather of Colby, Luke, Jackson, and Sloane. Loving brother of the late Dorothy, Alton, and Maynard Sockol.

Ron was born in Newport, Vermont on May 6, 1930, and moved to Brookline, MA at a young age. He graduated from Brookline High School and went on to earn both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Babson College. He proudly served his country as a medic in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

In 1963 he started a home remodeling business with the notorious tagline, “Remodeling Can Be Fun”.

A resident of Needham for 58 years, Ron was deeply dedicated to giving back to his community. His extraordinary record of service included leadership roles as President of the Needham Rotary Club, Town Meeting Member for more than 30 years, Trustee of Memorial Park for over two decades, and Board Member of both the Needham Community Council and the Needham Educational Foundation. He also served as President of Needham Pop Warner Football and spent over 20 years coaching Needham football and Little League.

Ron spearheaded and organized numerous community initiatives, including Community Weekend, during which hundreds of volunteers came together to construct a new roof and second floor at Memorial Park. He led the 100th Anniversary celebration of the Needham High School Football game, which drew approximately 20,000 fans and earned him a letter of recognition from the President of the United States. He also oversaw the creation of a garden and memorial honoring the victims of September 11.

In recognition of his tireless service, Ron was honored with multiple awards, including but not limited to, Needham Volunteer of the Year, Rotarian of the Year Award, Richard Melick Award, Leslie B Cutler Service Award, Stephanie J Kalin Service Award, The 2021 Grand Marshall of the Needham Fourth of July parade and several state citations.

While Ron gave endlessly to his community, his greatest joy came from his family. He cherished time with Lois, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and he was happiest when surrounded by their love and laughter.

Ron was a man of warmth, generosity, and quiet strength. He deeply believed in the importance of giving back. As one community member once told Lois, “Ron taught me what volunteer means”. His devotion to Needham, particularly its youth, has left a lasting legacy that cannot be measured.

Funeral services will be held at Temple Beth Shalom, 670 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Burial services to immediately follow at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA. Memorial observance will begin following the burial services at Temple Beth Shalom from 1:00 – 4:00pm. On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, a memorial observance will be held in the evening at Temple Beth Shalom from 6:00 – 8:30pm. On Thursday a memorial observance will be held in the evening at the family home from 5–8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ron’s memory may be made to the Michael Sockol Writer’s Fund at Temple Beth Shalom, 670 Highland Ave., Needham, MA 02492.

May his memory forever be a blessing.

To view the livestream service, please click here.

Steven Terry Greene, 76, of Wayland, MA, died unexpectedly on August 23, 2025. His sudden passing has left an immeasurable void for his family, friends and all who loved him.

Born on December 23, 1948 to Milton and Esther, Steve grew up in Dartmouth, MA, with his brothers, Dennis and Rick. He went on to graduate from Dartmouth High School, Lafayette College, and Northeastern University School of Law.

Steve’s greatest devotion was to his family. He shared 40 wonderful years of marriage with his wife, Sylvia, and was a proud father to his sons, Max and Jacob, and father-in-law to Caroline. His heart was fullest as “Poppy” to his grandson, Nathan, with whom he shared a special bond. He was a loving uncle to Alexandra, Beth, Benjamin, Sophie, Zach and Ariel and brother-in-law to Eileen, Sam, Sarah, Stanley and Susan.

Steve dedicated his professional life to the practice of law, building a remarkable 47-year career as a partner at Riemer & Braunstein LLC. He was deeply respected for his integrity, sharp mind, and tireless work ethic, qualities that earned him the admiration of colleagues and clients alike.

Steve treasured his friendships throughout every stage of his life. From his childhood days in Dartmouth and New Bedford, to his brothers at Pi Lambda Phi, to his golf partners and the many colleagues and classmates he met through college, law school, and his long legal career, Steve built lasting connections wherever he went.

Steve had a gift for making people laugh in any circumstance, brightening countless moments with his wit and humor. He loved spending time on the golf course, reading a good book, browsing the library, and watching classic movies. But above all, his family remained his pride and joy, and his loyalty to them knew no bounds.

Steve will be remembered for his laughter, his love, and his unwavering devotion to family; a legacy that will live on through all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A funeral service will be held at Temple Shir Tikva, 141 Boston Post Road, (Rt. 20) Wayland, MA on Wednesday, August 27, at 10:30 AM ET, followed by the burial at Beit Olam East Cemetery in Wayland, MA. Sylvia, Max, and Jake will be holding a shiva call for family and friends at their home in Wayland, MA on Wednesday (August 27) from 6-8pm and Thursday (August 28) from 4-7 PM.

Remembrances may be made to The Friends of Wayland Free Public Library.

Of Needham, passed away at the age of 91 on August, 21, 2025. After 69 years, he leaves the love of his life, Bunny (Barbara Davidson). Devoted dad to his children Howard (Kim) and Jayne. Proud Papa of Jack, Nicole and Will. An avid golfer, duplicate bridge player and mentor. Remembrances in his name may be made to the charity of your choice.

Rebecca Amy Speiser Elswit, 46, beloved daughter, sister, and friend passed peacefully of cancer on Friday, August 22, 2025.

She was a native of Wellesley MA and long-time resident of California. Rebecca was a charismatic presence with deep insights into people. She used her Jewish heritage as a steppingstone to explore a rich spiritual world. Her insightful wellness practice enabled her to integrate her vast knowledge and experience to inspire and improve the lives of many.

Rebecca traveled the world, making friends and lifelong connections along the way. Whenever she reached a crossroads she would explore the path least travelled. She found awe in nature and in everyday life. She will be deeply missed.

Rebecca is survived by her parents, Bernice Speiser and Larry Elswit; her brother Justin and sister-in-law Maria, her uncles Fred and Bob, and other extended family members.

Donations in her memory may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute

Deborah “Debbie” Bern was born on August 23, 1931, in the city of Hartford, Connecticut. She was the daughter of the late Rebecca (née Lattman) and Rabbi Jesse Schwartz, and beloved spouse of 65 years to the late Charles Bern.  Debbie grew up in Montreal, Canada. She earned her college degree at McGill University and her master’s in social work at Smith College in Massachusetts.

Debbie’s early career included work as a supervisor for Child Protective Services in the County of Westchester, NY.  Ever a forward thinker, Debbie was among the first to recognize—and brave enough to speak out about—the toll that addiction and mental health concerns could take on employee well-being and productivity. At a time when the “three-martini lunch” was still the norm and the very words “mental health” were discouraged in the workplace, she created Employee Guidance Systems, LLC, which went on to provide employee assistance programs for Pennsylvania Power and Light, General Electric, and NBC at Rockefeller Center in New York.

For the next 45 years, Debbie dedicated her life to helping people find solutions to the challenges in their lives or those of their loved ones, ultimately giving them permission to feel and, most importantly, to heal.

Debbie is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charles Bern and sister, Carmel Schwartz.  She is survived by her three daughters, Elana (née Bern) Beckman and (her husband Evan), Judi (née Bern) Townsend, and Jessica Bern, her grandchildren Rachel, Adam (his wife Katherine Rich), Zachary, Emma and, Phoebe and by the many letters of gratitude and life updates she received from her patients throughout her many years of practice.

Funeral Services will be held at Temple Emanuel in Newton, MA on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at 10:30am. Friends and family are invited to sit Shiva at the house of Elana and Evan Beckman on Wednesday August 20, and Thursday, August 21, from 7-9pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Temple Emanuel 385 Ward St., Newton, Massachusetts 02459.

Robert “Bob” S. Swarz of Wayland/Natick, MA passed away peacefully, surrounded by love, on August 16, 2025.

Born on January 14, 1946, at Barnert Hospital in Paterson, New Jersey, Bob was the only child of Lottie and Monroe Swarz.  He attended River Dell High School in River Edge, New Jersey, where he met the love of his life, Lonnie, the first day of Latin class Sophomore year.  He went on to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from New York University (NYU), a Master’s degree in Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), a PhD from NYU, and an MBA from Boston University.

Bob focused his career on electrical engineering beginning at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft, and then computer science, and systems engineering at the MITRE Corporation, and teaching at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.  In the course of his career, he published four textbooks.

Throughout his life, Bob was an avid reader with an endless passion for learning across a range of topics, from foreign languages to music theory, to history, and computer and medical sciences.  Although he grew up in the New York area, he made the wise choice to be a dedicated Red Sox fan as he raised his family in Wayland, MA.  Ever proud of his early musical endeavors as a radio DJ and a drummer in a band called The Connotations, which included a professionally recorded and released 45 RPM single  (Two Hearts Fall in Love – Side A / Before I Go – Side B, easily found on Spotify), he amassed an incredible music collection and could often be found lying on his back on the floor with headphones on, tapping his feet to the music.  He good-naturedly accepted teasing about being a vegetarian and an accordion player. Many fondly remember his accompaniment to Dayenu at Passover seders and his birthday serenades under friends’ windows.  Bob also had a love of the outdoors, and spent over 30 years skiing at Loon Mountain and hiking all of New Hampshire’s forty-eight 4,000 footers with family and friends, a feat he was very proud of.  Bob and Lonnie were also proud to be founding members of Temple Shir Tikva in Wayland, MA, where they built many lifelong and dear friendships.

Most importantly, Bob’s life was entirely centered around his deep and unwavering love and dedication to his family.  There was never a doubt to anyone that family was his priority. His love was felt equally and unconditionally, constantly keeping his children on his mind, and loving every moment with his grandchildren.  And, it is possible that there is no greater love in the world than the love between Bob and his life-long sweetheart, Lonnie, who has always been by his side.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 58 years and best friend, Lonnie, his children and their spouses, Jeff, Lynn (Philippe), Mark (Erin), and grandchildren, Sophie, Nina, Sara, Zoe, and Owen. Even in his last months, as Parkinson’s Disease and Parkinson’s Dementia took hold of his body and mind, Bob continuously showed love for his family and friends and shared his sense of humor and passion for learning, music, and problem-solving, contributing to the lasting positive memories of who Bob was.

Bob’s family thanks Dr. David Simon for his medical expertise and compassion over these many years.  They are also most appreciative of the care that Bob received in his last months while he was a patient at Newbridge on the Charles.

Above all else, the words loving, kind, and curious will always rise to the surface for Bob.  May those words set his legacy and be a blessing to all who were lucky enough to have had Bob in their lives.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, August 18, 2025 at Beit Olam Cemetery at 60 Old Sudbury Rd. in Wayland, MA at 1:30 pm.  Shiva will be observed in Club Nouvelle, 10 Nouvelle Way, Natick, MA, immediately following the burial and again that evening at 6:30 pm. Memorial observance will continue at the home of Lynne and Philippe Schenk Tuesday, August 19 beginning at 7:00 pm.

The family requests that if a donation is to be made in Bob’s memory, please donate to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research,

Grand Central Station

P.O. Box 4777

New York, New York 10163-4777

Or on-line: Michaeljfox.org

Beloved mother, grandmother, wife, cousin, and friend, Nannette Bordenstein (née Churwin) passed away on August 12, 2025 in Nashville, TN. A lover of family get-togethers, cooking, bridge, mahjong, and dancing, she will be lovingly remembered for her tenacious spirit and care for family and friends that she encouraged in all close to her. Born on February 28, 1947, her enduring strength in life remains forever.

Services are private.

To view the livestream please click here.

Nathan T. “Ted” Wolk died peacefully at his home in Boca Raton, FL on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.

Born December 8, 1929, Ted was the eldest of two sons of Abraham and Betty (Baron) Wolk.  He grew up in Dorchester, attending Boston English High School and Boston University (1952).  While serving in the army during the Korean War, Ted went to watch-making school in Germany where his lifelong love of watches began.  Ted returned home and enrolled at BU Law School, finishing second in his 1957 class.  Ted had a fulfilling legal career in litigation and real estate law at several Boston firms, including Nathanson Rudofsky, Sherrin and Lodgen, Lane & Altman, and Posternak, Blankstein & Lund.  He was particularly proud of the two briefs he successfully submitted to the Supreme Court. Ted enjoyed his reputation as an extremely tough but fair negotiator and was equally pleased by the number of friendships he sustained among people with whom he had earlier been in intense negotiations.  In 1972, Ted partnered with his brother Sidney to form a new venture which is now The Cross Country Group. Their love for each other, strong family values, positivity, and generosity were unmatched and inspirational, especially notable in the attention and devotion they both gave their blind mother in her later years and through their philanthropy.

Ted had a first marriage with Helene which was sadly cut short by her premature death.  He was dedicated to raising his son Michael as a single parent in a home filled with love, intellect and passion.  In 1971, Ted met Barbara (Kaplan/Berger), and with her daughter Aishe, had many fun adventures as a blended family.  Ted and Barbara wed in 1984 and lived happily in Chestnut Hill, MA.  Ted and Barbara expanded their horizons and friendships to Florida, where they had a home in Boca Raton.

With many friends and family, they traveled the world, enjoying the latest restaurants and purchasing art and jewelry.  Ted was a persistent golfer and an avid gin player, which he continued until the week before he passed away. An incredible storyteller and wonderful conversationalist, Ted was always prepared with a sharp quip and amusing comeback.  His ready smile and laughter were infectious, and his boisterous Passover renditions of Chad Gadya and Dayenu will forever be remembered.  Ted found great joy and comfort in the companionship of his dog Jack, which he received from Barbara as a 90th birthday present. Ted is pre-deceased by his son Michael and his brother Sidney, and survived by his wife Barbara, his sister-in-law Deanna, and many loving nieces and nephews as well as extended family and friends that adored him.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, August 17 at 10:30am at Temple Emeth, 194 Grove Street, Chestnut Hill, MA. Shiva will occur after burial.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, JAFCO Children’s Village, or the charity of your choice.

Sheyna Shneyder, 96, Holocaust Survivor and Devoted Matriarch

Sheyna Shneyder, of Newton, MA, a fiercely independent and deeply loving mother, grandmother, and Holocaust survivor, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2025, at the age of 96.

Born in Kaunas, Lithuania in 1929, Sheyna endured unimaginable hardship during World War II and emerged with a resilience and grace that defined her life. In 1979, she immigrated to the United States, where she built a new life rooted in family, dignity, and quiet strength.

Sheyna was the beloved mother of Garri Shneyder and his wife Ilisa, and Mark Shneyder and his wife Marcy. She was the cherished grandmother of Abigail, Tobin, Talia, and Tabitha, each of whom carries forward her legacy of perseverance and love.

Sheyna’s life was marked by unwavering devotion to her family, a sharp intellect, and a quiet but powerful sense of purpose. Her presence was a source of strength and comfort, and her memory will continue to guide those who knew and loved her.

Sheyna will be laid to rest at Ostro Marshoe Cemetery, 776 Baker St. inWest Roxbury, Massachusetts, at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 15. Shiva will be observed at the home of Garri and Ilisa Shneyder in Needham, following the burial services.

Donations in Sheyna’s memory may be made to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Boston, organizations that reflect her values and life story.

May her memory be a blessing.

August 11, 1940 – August 12, 2025

Alexander Claude Elin, better known as Alex or “Butch,” 85, of Stoughton, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2025. He was born on August 11, 1940 in Rochester, Indiana to the late Seymour and Joesphine Elin. He graduated from Rochester High School before attending Indiana University, and he then transferred to Berklee College of Music in Boston, which is where he became a lifelong professor of music. He married his wife Sandra (Sandy) on August 23, 1966, and they spent 53 wonderful years together. Alex was a master jazz musician of both tenor saxophone and piano, and he played with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie and Gladys Knight and the Pips. He was the lead of a popular band within the Boston jazz community called the Alex Elin Quartet, and he performed for many years at the Acton Jazz Cafe. Alex was an equally talented watercolor artist, and was a respected member of the Rockport Art Association. He excelled at golf, and was a member and course champion at Putterham Meadows Golf Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. Alex had a great sense of humor, and he enjoyed making his famous “Grampy Sauce” and mac n’ cheese for family gatherings. He was predeceased by his wife, Sandra (Litvin), in 2019, as well as by his parents and sister, Diane. He is survived by his loving family, including his children Seth Elin (Rose) of Needham, Massachusetts and Sarah Johnson (Paul) of Stoughton, Massachusetts; grandchildren Zachary and Adam Elin, and Joel and Avery Johnson; and nieces and nephews. Funeral services and burial will take place on Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 1:00pm at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham Street in Sharon, Massachusetts. Shiva to follow at Seth and Rose Elin’s home. Memorial donations can be made to the American Heart Association.

Barbara Fishman of Framingham, MA, formerly of Long Beach, NY, passed away on August 11, 2025, at the age of 93.

Beloved wife of the late Burton.  Dear daughter of the late Frederick and Sara (Blank) Schumacher and sister of the late Marilyn (Schumacher) Krubiner.

Devoted mother of Janis (Steven), Robert (Jill), and Amy (Jay).  Proud grandmother of Melissa (Matt), Jessica, Julie (Mike), Max (Ellie), Ben (Abbie), and Emily (David) Great Grandmother of Alison, Natalie, and Jacob.

Graveside funeral on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 2:00 pm.  The family will be sitting Shiva at the home of Amy and Jay Schwartzberg on Sunday, August 17 at 6:30pm, and the home of Janis and Steven Kamin on Monday, August 18 at 7pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to StandUp2Cancer, P.O. Box 843721, Los Angeles, CA 90084-3721 or https://standuptocancer.org.

Penny Garver passed away peacefully, supported by family members, in her Brookline home on August 7, 2025.

Penny was born in 1948 in Bangor, Maine and grew up in Newton, Massachusetts.  After graduating with honors in fine arts from the University of Chicago, she found her professional calling in commercial lending at the Shawmut Bank and continued in that role until her retirement from Santander Bank more than thirty years later.  Her particular pleasure as a loan officer was to assist smaller, family owned companies in the development of their businesses and securing their families’ futures.

Penny participated fully in the life of her community, including as a board member of Jewish Vocational Services, where she served as treasurer and board chair, and on the school committee and the board of Temple Ohabei Shalom, where she applied her financial acumen and personal leadership to the stabilization of its finances.  Her involvement in both organizations and her banking background led her to Project Kesher, organized by Greater Boston volunteers to aid the remnant of Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine’s Jewish citizens.  During three trips there she established a micro-lending program that assisted women without husbands in setting up small businesses to support themselves and their children.

In addition, Penny was a board member of the Immigrant Learning Center, served on the Chelsea Boys and Girls Club advisory committee and was a founder and treasurer of her family’s charitable foundation, which focuses its gifts on addressing food insecurity, on services to immigrants and on education, particularly Berea College in Appalachia.

Penny and her husband Richard traveled extensively.  Her greatest pleasure, however, was her children, son Josh and daughter Jennie, of whom she is enormously and justifiably proud.  Her favorite memories included the times she and Richard spent with them as children each summer on beloved Block Island.  A recent highlight was joining the family in its 2018 walk of the 1,000 year-old Spanish pilgrim trail, the Camino de Santiago.  Josh and Jennie’s devotion to each of their own two children is one of her legacies.

Penny is survived by her husband, her mother Anita and brother Peter, her son Joshua and daughter Jennie, their spouses Bethany and Jason, and their children, Alina and Miralyn, Alexander and Halcyon, whom it was her joy to see blossoming into such promising young people.

Funeral Services will be held on August 12, 2025, at 11:00 AM, at Temple Ohabei Shalom, 1187 Beacon Street, Brookline, with Interment at Sharon Memorial Park.  Shiva following services at Temple Ohabei Shalom from 2 – 4:30 pm.

Gifts in her honor may be directed to Jewish Vocational Services or to the Brookline Food Pantry.

With profound sorrow, we announce the death of Dr. Jonathan H. Slavin, Ph.D, ABPP, distinguished psychologist and psychoanalyst, on August 6, 2025, at the age of 82.

Dr. Slavin, or Jonathan, as he preferred to be called in later years, had a career that spanned decades of transformative clinical, scholarly, and teaching contributions. The eldest of three, Jonathan was born in Brooklyn, New York, on September 18, 1942, to Gertrude, an English and reading teacher, painter, and sculptor, and Alvin Slavin, a Navy veteran and owner of an employment agency. He was a proud graduate of the Yeshiva of Flatbush. In his youth, he was a lifeguard and swim director and achieved the level of Life Scout in Boy Scouts of America / Scouts BSA. He led his siblings and younger cousins in mischief, stoopball, and shenanigans. Originally a Brooklyn Dodgers fan, his family befriended Jackie Robinson and the Robinson family, who moved down the block. However, out of frustration with repeated losses by the Dodgers, he became a lifelong Yankees fan, and also occasionally skipped school to see Mickey Mantle and other greats on the field. In his youth he identified with the Beatnik and Folk Movement, sneaking off to see poets and musicians, including an undiscovered Bob Dylan in the underground folk clubs of Greenwich Village.

Jonathan’s interest in government and foreign diplomacy—and his independent streak—led him to break tradition by leaving New York to study at The George Washington University. There, he worked at the legendary Trieste Restaurant and at the National Historical Wax Museum. As a student, he witnessed President John F. Kennedy’s funeral procession in 1963. Jonathan credited a quirky psychology professor who exposed him to Confucius’ thought around self-examination to his shift to the field of psychology. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa, “with Distinction” and Special Honors, with an A.B. in Psychology in 1964, and was inducted to Psi Chi, the International Honors Society in the field of Psychology. He continued his graduate studies in Clinical Psychology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, earning his M.A. in 1965 and his Ph.D in 1970, under the mentorship of the groundbreaking event theory and gender studies child psychologist, Dr. Irene Fast. At Michigan, he bore witness to the famous anti-war protests and could be found hanging around the folk clubs of Ann Arbor where he saw Joan Baez play live.

In 1969, Jonathan moved with his then-spouse to the Boston area for a teaching position at University of Massachusetts-Boston. He was soon hired as a lecturer at Tufts University, and his class on Psychoanalysis, which he taught for 20 years, was among the most popular courses with undergraduates, especially his legendary unit on hypnosis. Within a few months after arriving at Tufts, Jonathan became the Founding Director of the Tufts University Counseling Center, a role he held from 1970 to 2006. Jonathan, with dear and brilliant colleague Dr. Malcolm Slavin (no relation), developed a world-renowned clinical training program for graduate students in psychology and social work. Over the course of his 36-year career at Tufts, Jonathan oversaw psychotherapy services for more than 25,000 clients and trained hundreds of mental health professionals. The Tufts University Counseling Center was unusual in a number of ways. It provided psychoanalytic therapy to students and staff, rather than imposing the more commonly used ten-session limit, which gave graduate student interns the opportunity to study long-term psychoanalytic technique. It also offered graduate student interns the opportunity to present cases to—and to discuss emerging psychoanalytic theory with—many of the leading figures in American psychoanalysis. With the kind of professional generosity that was characteristic of him, Jonathan made use of his extensive network to benefit his students and interns.

Jonathan was among a group of pioneer psychologists across the country who established psychoanalytic training programs for psychologists at a time when psychoanalytic training was restricted primarily to MDs, and the legitimacy of psychologists to practice psychotherapy, let alone psychoanalysis, was heretical. Among his many accomplishments, Jonathan was the Founding President of the Massachusetts Institute for Psychoanalysis (MIP), which he helped establish in 1987 to provide high quality training through a comparative approach to psychoanalysis, and for which he served as President until 1992. He was the only twice-elected President of Division 39 (Psychoanalysis) of the American Psychological Association, in 1990-91 and 2001-02, and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, now William James College, in 2006. He also served as President of the Massachusetts Association for Psychoanalytic Psychology from 1986-88, and Vice-President of the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy in 2005-06.

Jonathan maintained a decades-long private practice and developed a body of scholarship, with over 35 published articles, book chapters, case conferences, and many presentations. He was instrumental in supporting the development of psychoanalytic training programs across the United States, and supervised clinicians around the world. He served on the faculty of the Massachusetts Institute for Psychoanalysis, as Clinical Instructor in Psychology at Harvard Medical School’s Department of Psychiatry, and as Adjunct Clinical Professor at NYU’s Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis. Jonathan’s scholarship and consultation extended to psychoanalytic programs throughout the U.S. and across the globe, where he taught seminars and workshops, many with his partner, psychologist Miki Rahmani, on relational perspectives in psychotherapy, sexuality in development and treatment, child sexual abuse and trauma, and clinical supervision, in Armenia, Austria, Canada, the Czech Republic, China, Italy, Israel, Mexico, Romania, Russia, Spain, Turkey, and at Oxford and the UK. He was a Consulting Psychologist to the Ministry of Health in Israel, to the Israel Defense Force, and to the Palestinian Counseling Service, as well as to clinicians working with trauma survivors in the wake of the October 7th massacres.

Jonathan was one of the early champions of the development of what we now know as modern psychology, dedicated to making psychoanalysis and psychotherapy more accessible, adaptable, relational, and relatable. He was known not only for his intellectual rigor and clinical brilliance, but also for his immense compassion and commitment to real relationships. He viewed therapy not as a neutral technique, or as one that should be limited by dogma or methodology, but as a profoundly relational endeavor—one in which the therapist’s humanity and integrity are vital to a meaningful therapeutic process and outcome for patients. Jonathan’s scholarship on identity, love, sexuality, desire, trauma, agency, truthfulness, and the therapeutic relationship continue to shape and reshape the field. A gifted and beloved clinician, author, and mentor, Jonathan traveled the world to teach, consult, and supervise fellow psychologists, as well as devote his time to his clinical practice, through September 2024, when he suffered a catastrophic fall and subsequent cancer diagnosis. His legacy will live on in his writings, his students, his relationships, and the thousands of lives transformed through his care and vision.

The grandson of ‘Freethinker’ turned Lubuvitch Rabbi Moshe Slavkin, Jonathan’s life was deeply rooted in Jewish values, thought, tradition, and observance. Jonathan and his family moved from Medford, MA, where they were members of Temple Shalom, to Newton, MA, to give his children a Jewish Day School education at the Solomon Schechter Day School. Jonathan joined the independent Newton Centre Minyan in the second year of its fully formed mission and identity. The Minyan was a completely lay-led independent community, which started as a small group of Jewish families dedicated to providing space for traditional, egalitarian prayer and learning. The community first gathered in members’ homes and transitioned to bigger spaces in the Newton community over the years. Jonathan remained an active member and fixture in the Minyan, in his front row seat on the right of the bima, giving out honors for close to 40 years. He was deeply devoted to the Jewish community in Boston and beyond and supported many causes in the truest forms of tzedakah.

Jonathan will especially be remembered for his ability to make everyone he came in contact with feel seen and valued with true sincerity. He will be remembered for his gift of profound insight, his generosity of time and attention, particularly with the many students and supervisees he mentored, as well as his love for New England seafood, baseball, the Yankees (along with his grandsons’ teams), the New England Patriots, his wit and silliness, his absolute prowess since the late 1980s at fixing mac computers, his encyclopedic knowledge of U.S., world, and ancient middle east and Roman history, and his interest in philosophy, religion, archeology, the art of indigenous peoples of the Southwest, Italy, and the twentieth century folk movement including Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie, The Weavers, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and Bob Dylan. Most of all, he will be remembered for the absolute joy he took in his unique, individual relationships with each of his three beloved grandsons, and with his adored nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews; his deep devotion to his partner Miki Rahmani; and his unconditional love and support for his two daughters, Jessica and Claudia.

Jonathan is survived by his life and professional partner of more than 25 years, Miki Rahmani of Jerusalem, Israel, M.A., former Chief Psychologist, South Jerusalem Mental Health Center, and Faculty Emerita, School of Education, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel. Jonathan will live on in the hearts of his devoted daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren: Jessica Slavin Connelly, LICSW, her husband Sean Connelly, and their son Owen (age 12) of Malden, MA; and Claudia Schwartz, her husband Rob Schwartz, and their children Theodore “Teddy” (15) and Evan (12) of Bethesda, MD. He was predeceased by his beloved brother, Dr. Stuart Slavin of Harrisburg, PA. He is also survived by his beloved sister and brother-in-law, Vicki and David Itzkowitz, his niece, Miriam Itzkowitz and her daughter Lili, his nephew Dan Itzkowitz, his wife Alex Lapides, and their children Sam and Penelope, all of St. Paul, MN; his sister-in-law Robin Slavin of Lake Worth, FL; his niece Beth Manicone, her husband George Manicone, and their son Axel, of Millburn, NJ; and his nephew Glenn Slavin, his wife Allison Kessler Slavin, and their children Zoe, Zach, and Casey, of Maplewood, NJ; as well as countless extended family, including but not limited to the Kreitzman, Steiglitz, Smith, Krantz, Arwas, Breidbart, Zabarnick, Nation, Bernard, Stern, Molcho, Grant, Granowitter, and Nimerofsky families.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Yad Chessed: https://www.yadchessed.org, and the Severe Immunotherapy Complications (SIC) Service at Massachusetts General Hospital. This fund will help train the next generation of clinicians and researchers at Mass General Cancer Center, advance critical understanding of immune-related side effects, and fuel the discovery of safer treatments that preserve the life-saving power of immunotherapy for cancer patients. https://www.massgeneral.org/cancer-center/treatments-and-services/severe-immunotherapy-complications [Checks can be mailed to Massachusetts General Hospital c/o Development Office, Attn: Kasey Ahern, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114. Please write “Dr. Kerry Reynolds – Fund: GR0232760” in memory of Dr. Jonathan H. Slavin, in the memo line.]

A private funeral will be held. A public celebration of Jonathan’s life and career will be held at a later date.

To view the livestream service, please click here.

Dr. Bruria Klara Bodek Falik, Bruria bat HaRav Eliezer u Ilona, z”l passed away peacefully on August 3. Born in 1931 in Füzesgyarmat, Hungary, she was the eldest of nine children and the daughter of a Chassidic rabbi. At age 12, Bruria and her family were deported to Bergen-Belsen. Even as a child, she showed remarkable courage—sneaking milk to her grandfather, protecting her mother during selections, and defying guards. She was liberated in 1945 along with her mother, grandmother, and five surviving siblings.

Bruria immigrated to Israel in 1948 and served in the Israeli Air Force. In the late 1950s, she moved to the United States with her husband, Henry Zvi Heinz Falik z”l. She became a child psychologist, worked as a school psychologist, and later became a keen businesswoman and the owner of Camp Huntington—a summer camp for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and was awarded the American Camping Association’s Legends in Camping award. Through her work, she touched many lives of children and families.

She lived in Woodstock, NY for the last few decades of her life and was an active member of the Jewish community and Kehillat Lev Shalom synagogue. Her final years were spent in Boulder, Colorado, enjoying spending time with her children and grandchildren and sitting looking out a sunny window at the Flatiron Mountains.

Despite the hardships she endured, Bruria exuded joy and lit up every room she entered. Her legacy of resilience, compassion, and service lives on in all who knew her.

She was a loving mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother to Sandy Falk and Dan Judson and their children Tali, Maayan, and Revaya Falk-Judson (Newton), and to Daniel and Yael Falk and their children Oriana, Zohar, and Yannai Falk (Boulder, CO).

Services at Temple Reyim, 1860 Washington Street, Newton, MA on Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 10:00 AM. Interment at Lindwood Memorial Park, 490 North St, Randolph.

Memorial observance will be held at the home of Sandy Falk and Dan Judson, Newton, MA from Thursday, August 7 through Wednesday, August 13.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to either DrorIsrael.org or Friends of the IDF.

Temple Emanuel Livestream

Morton “Morty” Burman, 87, died on August 5, 2025, at his home in Brookline with family by his side. He was raised in Roxbury, Massachusetts and was the son of Morris and Sylvia Burman. He attended Roxbury Memorial High School and graduated from Suffolk University.

Morty was a fabric salesman for over 40 years and a substitute teacher for 20 years for the Brookline Public Schools.

Morty was a huge sports fan, and he especially loved the Boston Bruins. However, he got the most pleasure from watching his children and grandchildren play sports.  Music was also a great part of Morty’s life. He enjoyed attending jazz concerts and going on jazz cruises.

Volunteering and good deeds were vital to Morty, including being a blood donor at Boston Children’s Hospital for over 40 years.

He respected and treated everyone equally in his quiet, humble manner, and he always had words of wisdom to share.  Morty lived life to the fullest and made the most of each day.  He made a meaningful impact on so many lives and his presence will be missed.

Morty is survived by Diane, his wife of 49 years. He is also survived by his children Ed Burman (Ann), Mitchell Burman, Sara Wantman (Jeffrey) and his grandchildren Kelly Burman, Michael Burman, Emma Wantman and Micah Wantman. He is also survived by his brother Richard Burman.

Services at Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward St., Newton, on Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 10:00am.Interment at Mishkan Tefila Memorial Park, West Roxbury. Memorial observance will be held at the home of Sara and Jeffrey Wantman  on Thursday 2-4, 7-9pm with Minyan at 7:30 pm, Friday 2-4pm and Sunday and Monday 2-4, 7-9 pm. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Friends of the IDF or Children’s Hospital.

Ellen Weinstein (Karacek), of Canton, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2025.

Ellen raised her family in Framingham, where she remained for many years. She was active in her community and at Temple Beth Am, where she found joy singing in the choir. She entered the workforce later in life and built a rewarding career at TJX Corporate, until her retirement. Ellen also reflected fondly on her years growing up in Chelsea with her late parents, Julia and Leonard Karacek, her beloved sister, the late Marlene Demko, and a large extended family, including her cousin Gail Finegold (Freedman).

Ellen’s greatest joy was spending time with her children and grandchildren. Whether she was traveling to visit them or attending their local activities, she was affectionately known by everyone as Grami Ellen.

She was the devoted mother of Anne Weinstein and her husband Robert Coffman, and Michael Weinstein and his wife Michelle. She was the proud grandmother of Joshua Weinstein, Nicolle Weinstein and her fiancé Christian Turnbull, and Katrina, Julie, and Lila Coffman; and beloved aunt of Lisa Demko Cohen and Lauren Demko. She was formerly married to Harvey Weinstein and remained a cherished and adored member of the extended Coffman family and the Weinstein family of Minnesota.

Her family is especially grateful for the compassion and care she received at Orchard Cove in her later years.

Ellen’s kindness, devotion, and warm presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.  May her memory be a blessing and a source of comfort.

The funeral will be graveside on Friday August 8th at 10:00 am at Greenview Memorial Park, 232 Fuller Street, Everett, MA.

Family and friends are welcome to visit for shiva on Friday, August 8th at 12:00 to 4:00 pm at Temple Beth Shalom, 670 Highland Ave, Needham, MA 02494. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ellen’s memory may be made to the Orchard Cove Scholarship Fund, 1 Del Pond Drive, Canton, MA 02021

Cynthia Greenhut passed away peacefully in 2025 at the age of 78. She is survived by her husband, Ira; her children, Emily and Rob, and Rob’s wife, Jill; her stepdaughter, Jamie, and Jamie’s husband, Gus; and her beloved grandchildren, Natalie, Simon, and Eli.

Cynthia loved a good conversation and a friendly debate. She delighted in being a grandmother and brought creativity into every visit—writing stories, staging plays, and finding ways to make the ordinary special.

She will be deeply missed.  Services will be held privately.

Stop a moment and come near

know I was loved, embraced, held dear

Saw love reflected in my loves eyes

I won the day I won the prize

And now we come to close of day

It’s all been said no more to say

Cynthia Greenhut

1947–2025

Professor Emeritus Peter Temin PhD ‘64, prominent economic historian who made wide-ranging contributions, dies at 87.

Prolific scholar and former department head used the tools of economics to shed new light on historical events and their profound implications for today’s society.

 Peter Temin, the Elisha Gray II Professor of Economics, emeritus, passed away on August 4, 2025. He was 87. Temin was a pre-eminent economic historian whose work spanned a remarkable range of topics, from the British Industrial Revolution and Roman economic history to the causes of the Great Depression and, later in his career, the decline of the American middle class. He also made important contributions to modernizing the field of economic history through his systematic use of economic theory and data analysis.

“Peter was a dedicated teacher and a wonderful colleague, who could bring economic history to life like few before or since,” says Jonathan Gruber, Ford Professor and chair of the Economics Department. “As an undergraduate at MIT, I knew Peter as an engaging teacher and supervisor. Later, as a faculty member, I knew him as a steady and supportive colleague. A great person to talk to about everything from research to politics to life at the Cape. Peter was the full package: a great scholar, a great teacher, and a dedicated public goods provider.”

When Temin began his career, the field of economic history was undergoing a reorientation within the profession. Led by giants like Paul Samuelson and Robert Solow, economics had become a more quantitative, mathematically rigorous discipline and economic historians were responding by embracing the new tools of economic theory and data collection. This “New Economic History” revolutionized the field by introducing statistical analysis and mathematical modeling to the study of the past. Temin was a pioneer of this new approach, using econometrics to re-examine key historical events and demonstrating how a data-driven approach could overturn long-held assumptions.

A prolific scholar who authored 17 books and edited 6, Temin made important contributions to an incredibly diverse set of topics. “As kindly as he was brilliant, Peter was a unique type of academic,” says Harvard University professor Claudia Goldin, a fellow economic historian and winner of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Economics. “He was a macroeconomist and an economic historian who later worked on today’s social problems. In between, he studied antitrust, health care, and the Roman economy.”

Temin’s earliest work focused on American industrial development during the 19^th century and honed the signature approach that quickly made him a leading economic historian—combining rigorous economic theory with a deep understanding of historical context to re-examine the past. Temin was known for his extensive analysis of the Great Depression, which often challenged prevailing wisdom. By arguing that factors beyond monetary policy—including the gold standard and a decline in consumer spending—were critical drivers of the crisis, Temin helped recast how economists think about the catastrophe and the role of monetary policy in economic downturns.

As his career progressed, Temin’s work increasingly expanded to include the economic history of other regions and periods. His later work on the Great Depression placed a greater emphasis on the international context of the crisis, and he made significant contributions to our understanding of the drivers of the British Industrial Revolution and the nature of the Roman economy.

“Peter Temin was a giant in the field of economic history, with work touching every aspect of the field and original ideas backed by careful research,” says Daron Acemoglu, Institute Professor and recipient of the 2024 Nobel Prize in economic sciences. “He challenged the modern view of the Industrial Revolution that emphasized technological changes in a few industries, pointing instead to a broader transformation of the British economy. He took on the famous historian of the ancient world, Moses Finley, arguing that slavery notwithstanding, markets in the Roman economy—especially land markets—worked. Peter’s influence and contributions have been long-lasting and will continue to be so.”

Temin was born in Philadelphia in 1937. His parents were activists who emphasized social responsibility, and his older brother, Howard, became a geneticist and virologist who won the 1975 Nobel Prize in Medicine. Temin received his BA from Swarthmore College in 1959 and went on to earn his PhD in Economics from MIT in 1964. He was a Junior Fellow of Harvard University’s Society of Fellows from 1962-65.

Temin started his career as an assistant professor of industrial history at the MIT Sloan School before being hired by the Department of Economics in 1967. He served as department chair from 1990-1993 and held the Elisha Gray II professorship from 1993-2009. Temin won a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2001, and served as president of the Economic History Association (1995-96) and the Eastern Economic Association (2001-02).

At MIT, Temin’s scholarly achievements were matched by a deep commitment to engaging students as a teacher and advisor. “As a researcher, Peter was able to zero in on the key questions around a topic and find answers where others had been flailing,” says Christina Romer, chair of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Obama and a former student and advisee. “As a teacher, he managed to draw sleepy students into a rousing discussion that made us think we had figured out the material on our own, when, in fact, he had been masterfully guiding us. And as a mentor, he was unfailingly supportive and generous with both his time and his vast knowledge of economic history. I feel blessed to have been one of his students.”

When he became the economics department head in 1990, Temin prioritized hiring newly-minted PhDs and other junior faculty. This foresight continues to pay dividends—his junior hires included Daron Acemoglu and Abhijit Banerjee, and he launched the recruiting of Bengt Holmström for a senior faculty position. All three went on to win Nobel prizes and have been pillars of economics research and education at MIT.

 Temin remained an active researcher and author after his retirement in 2009. Much of his later work turned toward the contemporary American economy and its deep-seated divisions. In his influential 2017 book, The Vanishing Middle Class: Prejudice and Power in a Dual Economy, he argued that the US had become a “dual economy,” with a prosperous finance, technology, and electronics sector on one hand and, on the other, a low-wage sector characterized by stagnant opportunity.

“There are echoes of Temin’s later writings in current department initiatives, such as the Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work” notes Gruber. “Temin was in many ways ahead of the curve in treating inequality as an issue of central importance for our discipline.”

In The Vanishing Middle Class, Temin also explored the role that historical events, particularly the legacy of slavery and its aftermath, played in creating and perpetuating economic divides. He further explored these themes in his last book, Never Together: The Economic History of a Segregated America, published in 2022.  While Temin was perhaps best known for his work applying modern economic tools to the past, this later work showed that he was no less adept at the inverse: using historical analysis to shed light on modern economic problems.

Temin was active with MIT Hillel throughout his career, and outside the Institute, he enjoyed staying active. He could often be seen walking or biking to MIT, and taking a walk around Jamaica Pond was a favorite activity in his last few months of life. Peter and his late wife Charlotte were also avid travelers and art collectors. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, who was deeply devoted to his family.

Temin is lovingly remembered by his daughter Elizabeth Temin and three grandsons, Colin and Zachary Gibbons and Elijah Mendez. He was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte Temin, a psychologist and educator, and his daughter, Melanie Mendez.

To view livestream of Funeral service click here

Diane Finkel Paulson, a longtime resident of Newton and a retired attorney who spent much of her career leading the Massachusetts Medicare Advocacy Project at Greater Boston Legal Services, died on August 2,2025 at the age of 87. Raised in Brookline, she was an alumna of Brookline High School, Bryn Mawr College, Boston University School of Education, and Northeastern University School of Law. She was a devoted friend; a voracious reader; a supporter of Democratic campaigns and Jewish community groups; a lover of opera, theater, classical music, and dance; and an active volunteer, most recently with the Newton Food Pantry. She is survived by her three children, Michael, Susan, and David; her daughter-in-law, Debbie; and her grandchildren, Talia and Avi. She was predeceased by her husband, Donald. Funeral service Thursday at 1 p.m. in the Chapel at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA. Interment will follow. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the New Israel Fund, Bryn Mawr College, or the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (designated to support the research of Dr. Stephen Hodi).

To view the livestream please click here.

Dori Wind, 72, died on August 3, 2025 in Boston surrounded by family. 

She was raised in Tampa, Florida and resided in Sugar Land, Texas. She was the daughter of Jennie and Henry Wind (z’l) and sister to Sheldon (Faith) Wind, Barbara (z’l) and Harry Friedman and Carol (Michael) Einstein.

Dori was an attorney and public servant for over 40 years with the Harris County Attorney’s Office.

She was passionate about serving the community and volunteering with US Vets and the Congregation Brith Shalom Sisterhood.  She also enjoyed gardening and traveling.  However, her greatest joy was traveling with her husband to visit their family, particularly their children and grandchildren in Massachusetts and California.  

She was kind, smart and always had words of wisdom to share.  Dori lived life to the fullest and made the most of each day.  She made a meaningful impact on so many lives and her presence will be dearly missed.

Dori is survived by Robert Rolnick, her husband of 44 years. She is also survived by her children Jennifer (Ido) Keren, Hal Rolnick (Shanee Singer) and her grandchildren Shai and Raphael Keren and Dean Rolnick.  She is also survived by her brother Sheldon Wind, and sister Carol Einstein.

Services at Temple Shalom of Newton, 175 Temple St., Newton, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 10:30am.  Interment at Or Emet, West Roxbury. 

Shiva will be observed at Temple Shalom of Newton, Wednesday 5-7pm and Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 5-7pm at the Keren residence. 

Barbara Palley Miller – of Canton, age 80, on July 29, 2025.  Beloved wife of Arthur J Miller.  Daughter of the late Abraham and Rose (Goldberg) Palley of Worcester.  Devoted mother of Ellen Sooper of Easton and Samantha (Michael) Bainton of Stoughton.  Step-mother of Michele Miller of Raynham, Jami Miller of Easton and the late Lissa Miller.  Loving “Mimi” to Luke Bainton and Jack and Jesse Averill and Justin Miller.  Dear sister-in-law of Sandra Bern of Newton.

Barbara was a very successful Realtor in the Stoughton area and surrounding communities for nearly 40 years.  She was very well known and respected by all who had the honor of working with her.  She treated all her clients like they were family.

Barbara and Arthur loved to travel.  They spent 24 years going to Saint Maarten, West Indies, where they made many friends.  Everyone referred to her as the “concierge”.  If someone needed a recommendation for where to eat, or who the best jeweler was on the island, Barbara knew exactly where to send them.  Barbara and Arthur also went on 26 cruises during their time together, and again, made several friends along the way. They were lucky to travel the world during the conventions that Arthur qualified for at work.

In addition to spending time with her family, during her free time, Barbara enjoyed playing mahjong and canasta, and discussing books with her Book Club friends.  Barbara didn’t go anywhere without her iPad.   If you were having a conversation with her, especially about real estate, she would immediately say “Let me look” and provide you with exactly what you were looking for.  While on vacations, she knew what was going on in your hometown before you did, thanks to her iPad.

For many years, Barbara and Arthur donated platelets to the Kraft Donor Center, which they began doing after the death of a friend’s granddaughter.  Barbara donated 400 times and was much loved by all the nurses she met over the years.  One of her biggest disappointments when she was diagnosed with cancer was that she would no longer be able to donate.

Barbara loved her dog Mitzi, and the late Shayna Punim before her.

Funeral service will be held at Temple Sinai in Sharon on Thursday, July 31^st at 11:00 am, followed by interment at Sharon Memorial Park.  Memorial observance immediately following interment at Temple Sinai.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center at Dana-Faber Cancer Institute, dana-farber.org or 35 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115.

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

McConnell, Nancy (Baron), of Burlington, MA, formerly of Bedford, MA and Newton, MA, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2025. Devoted mother of Bobby McConnell and Jamie McConnell. Dear sister of Donnie Baron and the late Jon Baron.

A funeral service will be held at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St, Sharon, MA, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 1:00 PM. Following internment, a memorial observance will be held at the Clubhouse at 1 Seven Springs Lane, Burlington, MA from 3:00PM-8:00PM. Shiva will continue on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 42A Seven Springs Lane from 2:00 PM-7:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute or by mailing a check to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, In Honor of Nancy McConnell, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284.

Janet Fidelman died on July 10, 2025 from complications related to ovarian cancer.

She was born on March 9, 1950 in Washington, DC and grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland. She held degrees from Brandeis University and the University of Wisconsin.  She lived and worked in the Boston area for the rest of her life. For most of those years she lived in Arlington with her companion cats.

Although her working career was as a computer programmer, Janet’s varied interests and hobbies were her main focus. She traveled to all seven continents, mostly with her family, and took photos everywhere she went. She went scuba diving as a young adult and loved to sail as crew on friends’ boats. She joined friends in Vermont practically every winter, where she went cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. She developed a love of gardening and had an encyclopedic knowledge of perennials that can be grown in New England. But above all, she loved her volunteer work with GBH, the public media station in Boston.

Janet made many friends along the way:  neighbors, work friends and fellow hobbyists.

Janet will be missed by her sister Anne Fidelman, her brother Mark Fidelman and her brother-in-law Mark Hansen. She was preceded in death by her parents Ruth Abrahams Fidelman and Morris Fidelman.

In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations to a charity working in research or in support of victims of cancer.

Helen Rosenberg (née Greenberg) passed away on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Helen was a longtime resident of the Bronx, NY and at the time of her passing lived in Massachusetts. Helen was a dedicated elementary school teacher in the Bronx for many years and enjoyed reading, traveling, playing games, and being with family and dogs. Beloved wife of the late Herman. Loving mother of Kenneth and his wife Judy and of the late Robert and late Steven. Devoted grandmother of Adam and his wife Erica and Jessica. Her family offers a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated staff at Oasis at Dodge Park in Worcester, MA. Graveside service and interment on Friday, July 25, 2025 at 1:30pm in Sharon Gardens Cemetery, Valhalla, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Foundation for Aids Research (https://www.amfar.org/) or to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (https://www.nami.org/).

To view livestream of funeral service click here

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of William “Bill” Margolin, 80, of Randolph, Massachusetts.

Bill is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Bryna Leeder, his brother, Malcolm, of Berkeley, California and his nephews, Ruben and Jake Margolin and his niece Sadie Costello.

Bill was born in Boston, Massachusetts to Max and Rose Margolin in 1945. He grew up in West Roxbury. He was a proud alumnus of the Boston Latin School (Class of 1963) and Bowdoin College (Class of 1967). He served with distinction in the United States Army from 1966-1970.

Following college and his military service, Bill dedicated his life’s work to helping others and served as a passionate and inspirational friend, counselor, leader and mentor for generations of young people. He spent more than three decades as the Director of The West End House Boys & Girls Club in Allston, Massachusetts and West End House Camp in Parsonsfield, Maine. His affiliation with the organization began as a 13-year-old in 1958. His love for West End House was evident in everything he did, and his impact will be felt for generations to come.

He was an active and beloved member of the Allston-Brighton community, where he was a leader and benefactor to many civic organizations, including the Allston Board of Trade, the Allston-Brighton Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club. He participated in many civic events and served on various committees benefiting the Allston-Brighton neighborhood. Bill was also active in the community in Parsonsfield, Maine, where he was a dedicated member of the Long Pond Association.

Bill was a talented writer and public speaker, and his friends enjoyed his great sense of humor and storytelling ability. He was an avid collector, chess player, historian, and proud grammarian. He was a frequent participant in collector shows and fairs. He was the founder, publisher, and editor of Collectors Classified Magazine, which just celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Bill’s largest and most meaningful collection was that of his friends, whom he gathered throughout his life by living his faith with kindness to others. His compassion and genuine friendship will be missed by all. If you met him, he became your friend.

During the past few years, Bill looked forward to his weekly singing group, The Tremble Clefs.  He recently lobbied the Massachusetts House of Representatives to issue a proclamation honoring the chorus. The legislature congratulated the singers for “their dedication to music, wellness and community and for fostering creativity and connection among individuals living with Parkinson’s.”

Funeral service will be held 10:30 am, Thursday, July 24, 2025 at Temple Sinai of Sharon, 25 Canton St., Sharon, MA. Burial will follow at Temple Emanuel Memorial Park, 490 North St., Randolph, MA. Donations in Bill’s memory may be made to the Margolin Family Scholarship at The West End House at 105 Allston Street, Allston, MA 02134 or to the West End House Boys Camp c/o Jessica Paquette PO Box 474 Chocorua NH, 03817 or via  Venmo: @WestEndHouse-Camp.

In Loving Memory of Barry W. Levine, MD

It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Barry William Levine, MD, on July 20, 2025, at the age of 85. A resident of Newton, Massachusetts, Barry’s journey on earth touched the lives of all who knew him. Today, we pause to remember, honor, and celebrate a life that was marked not only by remarkable achievements but also by everyday acts of kindness, courage, and love.

Barry was born in 1940 in Everett, Massachusetts to Irving and Betty Levine, Lithuanian immigrants who came to the United States to escape Nazi persecution. Barry grew up in Portland, Maine. When he started kindergarten, he spoke only Yiddish and had to quickly learn English as a second language. As a teenager he became involved in the Boy Scouts of America and went on to become the youngest Eagle Scout of his time from the State of Maine. In 1958, he graduated from Deering High School where he was a star athlete and student.  In his senior yearbook he listed his favorite activities as “Football, Talking, and Lunch at Wally’s.”

Barry attended Dartmouth College where he entered an accelerated joint-degree program with Harvard Medical School.  He graduated cum laude in Chemistry from Dartmouth College in 1962 and in 1965 he graduated from Harvard Medical School. He then interned at The Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. In 1968, he returned to Massachusetts for his medical residency with the Harvard Service at the Boston City Hospital. This was followed by a fellowship at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Pulmonology.  In 1970, he joined the staff of the MGH and became an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.  Barry then spent the next five decades at MGH where he cared for thousands of patients and touched many lives. He also educated and mentored the next generation of clinicians, always emphasizing and remembering that the “patient is human.”

Beyond professional accomplishments, Barry’s personal life was rich and full. In 1963, he married the love of his life and fellow Mainer, Ellen Haas.  Together they had two daughters, Susan and Rachel and raised their family in Newton, Massachusetts.  Barry and Ellen loved life, their family, their many friends, and travel.  Barry, however, deeply loved and was most proud of his grandsons, Sam and Ben.  He loved watching them develop as young men and took great joy in their educational and athletic accomplishments.

Barry had a lifelong passion for knowledge and learning.  He taught himself electronics, woodworking, plumbing, painting, model-building, and sailing, among other things. Until very late in life, he was in constant motion always doing or fixing something. His view was that there was no need to take a car to a mechanic or call a plumber for a problem when you could just roll up your sleeves, get some tools, and fix it yourself.

North Haven, Maine also became Barry and Ellen’s home away from home. In the early 1970s, after Barry served as the summer island doctor, Barry and Ellen fell in love with the island and its people. They then bought land and built a house on the island forming many enduring friendships with the island community.

Words cannot capture the full measure of a life so richly lived. His family takes comfort in the memories we have from the time spent with him. Barry is survived by Ellen, his wife of 62-years, his daughter Susan J. Levine and her husband Matthew Archibald of South Portland Maine, his daughter Dr. Rachel Hitt and her husband John Hitt of Milton Massachusetts, and his two grandsons, Sam and Ben Hitt.

Funeral will be held on Wednesday July 23, 2025, at 10:30 am at Temple Israel, 477 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA. (Parking on riverway.) Interment to follow at Or Emet Cemetery, 776 Baker St., West Roxbury, MA. Shiva at Temple Israel, 477 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA from 1-3 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Barry’s memory may be made to the Massachusetts General Hospital (https://giving.massgeneral.org/), the North Haven Foundation, which assists graduates of the North Haven Community School and adult residents of the Island pursuing post-secondary education (North Haven Foundation, PO Box 664, Rockland, ME 04841-0664) or the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (https://www.fidf.org/).

Edward Ernest Pilat, 88, of Wellesley, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2025.

Edward was the beloved husband of Maryann, nee Grieci; the loving father of Marybeth Pilat and her husband Edward Holley, and David Pilat; devoted son of the late Frances Pilat and late Harry Pilat; dear brother of the late Barbara Abad; and proud grandfather of Sofia Pilat and the late Eli Pilat.

Edward grew up in Flushing, New York and attended P.S.22 and Flushing High School, where he graduated as valedictorian.  He attended Cornell University as an undergraduate and received a B.S. in Engineering Physics.  He also attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology and received his doctorate in Nuclear Engineering.

It was in Boston that he met his beloved Maryann, whom he married in August 1966.  Edward and Maryann spent the next six years between Boston and Maryland, establishing life-long friendships in Maryland but finally settling in Wellesley, M.A. in 1972.

Edward loved to explore new cultures and he and Maryann had the opportunity to travel broadly, but his favorite get-away was spending time with extended family in Popponesset each summer.  He would oblige an hour at the beach with everyone, but much preferred a walk in the shade and a chat with those he would meet along the way.

Edward was also an avid reader of pretty much any topic, including history, current events, poetry or even a good mystery.  He was a math enthusiast and could fill pages of notebooks with complicated formulas.  He wanted to understand how things worked and enjoyed teaching others the same.  Edward patiently took the time to explain, or at least try to explain, math homework to his kids as they were growing up- even if it ended in frustration (on the kid’s part!).  For several years, he co-taught a course at MIT in the physics program, and he also advised several post-doctoral students on their thesis.

Edward spent the first years of his retirement taking care of his first- born grandchild Eli and then later his granddaughter Sofia.  He was so proud to be a papa and cherished that time.

Edward was inherently cheerful, always with a gentle manner and warm smile.  He will be incredibly missed by his friends and family.

A memorial service will be held at 10 am Sunday, July 20, 2025, at Temple Beth Shalom, 670 Highland Ave., Needham, MA.

A link to view the livestream can be found here.

Michael Abbott Grossman, 81, beloved husband for almost 52 years of Louise, née Goldman; loving father of Emily Grossman (Tad); devoted son of the late Evelyn and the late Louis Grossman; dear brother of the late Sarita Blau (Les); fond uncle of Fred Blau (Maayan); dedicated family member and friend to many.  He will be greatly missed.

Mike grew up in Brooklyn and went to the Ethical Culture School and to Congregation Beth Elohim, where he and his parents had their B’nai Mitzvahs.  In Brooklyn, Mike’s heart was broken twice: when the Dodgers left Brooklyn, and when Mike’s mother threw out his entire collection of Dodger baseball cards.

Michael became a Massachusetts transplant after meeting his beloved Louise, whom he married in Chestnut Hill in 1973.  Throughout the next 52 years, he always recounted how much he valued her loyalty and her vibrant personality.  He was overjoyed when their daughter Emily was born. Of all the accomplishments in his life, he always said he was most proud of his family.

Michael attended NYU as an undergraduate and received graduate degrees in both applied and theoretical mathematics at the University of Chicago and SUNY Stony Brook.  He was an officer in the United States Army and served in the Army Corps of Engineers in Vietnam. After that, he was a Professor of Mathematics at Babson and Boston University.   Then, for over 36 years, he was Owner and President of Strategic Advantage, which provided support in the design, analysis and interpretation of clinical studies for medical device and pharmaceutical clients.

Mike and Louise loved to garden, play tennis and take long walks together.  Mike was an avid lap swimmer, doing 40 laps up and down the pool every summer day for years.

Michael was a devoted member of Temple Emanuel, active in the Brotherhood and its book group.  He was also a member of Beth Elohim of Wellesley.  He and Louise cared deeply about Israel and were particularly devoted to Magen David Adom.

Michael passed away after a brief but brave battle with cancer and throughout his illness brought cheer and good humor to the many friends and family members who came to visit. His family and friends always described Mike as “a great guy, a good friend, and a loving husband and father.” And that is how he will always be remembered.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, July 21^st, 2025 at 1:00 pm at Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward Street, Newton, Massachusetts.  Interment will follow at Sharon Memorial Park in Sharon, Massachusetts.  Following the burial on Monday, the Shiva will take place at Temple Emanuel in Reisman Hall starting at 5pm and minyan will be held at 7:45 pm. On Tuesday July 22nd, Shiva will take place at Temple Beth Elohim, 10 Bethel Road in Wellesley from 2-4 pm and 7-8:30 pm. Donations in Michael’s memory should go to American Friends of Magen David Adom, www.afmda.org

Gloria Haskins Monosson, 98, of Newton, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2025.

Gloria was the adored and beloved wife for 53 years of the late Sonny Monosson and the sister of the late Stanley Haskins.

She is survived by her four daughters, of whom she was very proud, Susan Monosson and her husband Al Kooper, Judith Monosson and her husband Robert Scherzer, Deborah Monosson, and Emily Monosson and her husband Ben Letcher. Also survived by her four grandchildren, Alex Scherzer, Jamie Scherzer, Sam Letcher and Sophie Letcher.

Gloria led an active and busy life, playing tennis well into her 80s and Bridge into her 90s.  She was strong and stubborn, stylish and funny, competitive (even when playing gin rummy with her grandchildren) and always loved a good game.

Gloria had an infectious and distinct laugh that is remembered by all who knew her.

She was game to go skiing and hiking with her husband and four young daughters, reluctantly, but always a good sport. She lived for a good bargain and taught her daughters the art of Filenes Basement.

She loved Nantasket Beach where she spent every summer since birth and eventually bought a house next to her parents as her family grew. She would proudly and ardently argue that there was no better beach in the world than Nantasket Beach.

Although predeceased by all her friends, Gloria always kept going with her will, her humor and her laugh.

A private memorial is planned .