Wittcoff, Shirley Sherry H. February 28, 2012, in Boston, MA Beloved wife of the late Harvey B. Wittcoff; dear mother of Beth (Jack Pendergast) Wittcoff of Southboro, MA and the late Laura Wittcoff; loving grandmother of Brian and David Pendergast; dear sister of the late Leonard (Gertrude) Solomon; beloved sister-in-law of Esther (the late James) Watel; our dear aunt, cousin and friend. Services: Graveside service Sunday, March 4, 1:30 PM at New Mt. Sinai Cemetery, 8430 Gravois Road. St. Louis, MO Contributions in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association , 9374 Olive Blvd., Suite 101, St. Louis, MO, 63132.

Freedman-Sumner H. of Boynton Beach, Florida, formerly of Sharon,
passed away peacefully on February 26, 2012.
Beloved husband of Mildred (Green) the late Thelma (Weisman) .
Devoted father of Debra G. Sayles and husband
Kenneth of Chestnut Hill. Dear brother of Sandra Schwersky and her
late husband Donald.  Loving uncle of Linda, Steven and Robert
Schwersky and Barry and the late David Weisman.  Graveside services
at Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon, (opposite 41 Dedham St.)
on Wednesday, February 29th at 11:45 a.m.  Following interment, a
memorial observance will be at the home of Debra and Kenneth
Sayles till 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
and Friday 1-4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to
the American Diabetes Assoc. P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312 or
the charity of your choice

Gorman-Henry I. of Boulder CO. and of Newton, MA passed away peacefully on February 26, 2012. Beloved husband of the late Irene (Wiener) Gorman. Devoted father of Mark and his wife Christine Gorman, and Marcie and her husband Kevin Smith. Dear grandfather Aaron Ian Smith. And Loving brother of Paula Levine. Services at Temple Israel, 477 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA (attendant parking on the Riverway) on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 1:00 pm. Following interment at Beth El Cemetery, a memorial observance will be at his late residence until 7 pm, and will continue Thursday 3-8 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Vista Care Hospice 4350 Wadsworth Blvd. Suite 250, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time

-Roslyn L. (Myers) Jacobson of Boynton Beach, FL formerly of Brookline,on Feb.26, 2012.Beloved wife of Ralph Jacobson.Dear daughter of the late William and Alice Myers.Devoted mother of Sheri Drogin and her husband Ronald of Framingham.Loving grandmother of Whitney and William Shopnick.Dear sister of the late Estelle and Sidney Myers.Services at Temple Beth Am 300 Pleasant St. Framingham on Tuesday Feb. 28 at 1:00 pm.Following interment at The Roxbury Mutual  Cemetery, Woburn a memorial observance will be held at The home of Sheri and Ronald Drogin Thru Sunday evening.In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute , Po Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168 or Leukemia Discovery and Research 165 Cambridge St.( Suite 600) Boston, MA 02114 

Burke-Maurice, of Roslindale, formerly of Canton, and Delray Beach FL. Entered into rest on February 24, 2012. Beloved husband of the late Dorothy (Priluck) Burke. Born in Vilna Poland to the parents of Yakov Shlomo Bojko and Leah Tcivia (Novick). Devoted father of Linda Burke and Steven Burke and his wife Catherine. Dear grandfather of Nathan, Jessica, and her husband Scott Steinberg, Allison and Lee Leshefsky. Proud Great grandfather of Danielle. Loving brother of the late Sarah and Dinah Bojko who sadly lost their lives in the Holocaust with his parents. Maurice served in the U.S. Army in WWII. Graveside services at Agudas Achim Cemetery on 1000 Pearl St., Brockton on Monday, February 27, 2012 at 1:00 pm. Following interment, a memorial observance will be at the home of Linda Burke until 7:00 pm, and Tuesday 5:30-7:30 pm. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center, 1200 Centre St., Boston, MA 02131, or the Chabad of your choice.

Burstein-Adelle ( Shapiro) of  Newton, on February 25, 2012 at Beth Israel-Deaconess  Hospital, after a brief illness. Beloved wife of   Gerald Burstein for 39 years. Loving mother of Jessica Sherer and her husband Joshua of Framingham and Candice Masters and her husband Kenneth of Medfield. Dear daughter-in-law of Cynthia Burstein of Chestnut Hill and the late Hyman Burstein. Cherished nana to Max, Brody, Charlie and Alex. Dear sister of Millie (Shapiro) Shapiro and her husband Martin of Norwich, CT. Devoted aunt of five nieces and a nephew. Also survived by seven grand nieces and grand nephews, and a beloved cousin. Adelle will be missed by numerous friends. Services at Temple Beth Avodah , 45 Puddingstone Lane, Newton, on Tuesday, February 28th at 10:30 am. Following interment at Sharon Memorial Park,  memorial observance will be at her residence until 8:30 pm Tuesday,  Wednesday and Thursday 2-4 & 6-8:30 pm and Friday 1-4pm. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Children’s Hospital , 300 Longwood Ave. , Boston, MA 02115.

Gerald Witkin, age 96, died on Friday, Feb. 24th at his residence, 39 Mabelle St. Worcester

His wife, Edith (Bloom) Witkin, died in 2005. He leaves a son, Larry Witkin and his wife Terri of Worcester; a brother, Nathan Witkin and his wife Muriel of Worcester and two grandchildren: Shari Witkin of Brookline and Mandy Witkin of Providence. He was predeceased by his son, Joel Witkin, who died in 1964 and his grandson, Michael Witkin, who died in 1994.

With his brother Nathan Witkin, he co-owned and operated Kansas City Beef Co. of Framingham for many years.

He was a long time member of Temple Emanuel, a 32nd Degree Mason, a member of Level Lodge of Masons, Probus Club and B’Nai Brith. He loved music and played the saxophone.

A GRAVESIDE FUNERAL SERVICE will be held at 11 AM on SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26th, in B’NAI BRITH CEMETERY on ST. JOHN’S RD.  Worcester

Memorial Observance will be held thru Sunday evening, February 26th at the residence of Larry and Terri Witkin, 44 Weatherstone Drive, Worcester.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Jewish healthcare Center, 629 Salisbury St., Worcester, 01609.

Aronson-Natalie (Nudelman) of Marlborough, on February 20, 2012. Graveside services at the Beit Olam Cemetery in Wayland on Wednesday February 22, 2012 at 12 noon.

Berger-Gloria (Schwartz), of Concord, on February 18, 2012. Dear daughter of the late Saul Schwartz and Tillie (Birenholz) Schwartz. Devoted mother of Robert Berger, David Berger and his wife Dorothy, and Alyssa Kaplan and her husband Jonathan. Loving sister of Roy Schwartz and the late Arnold Schwartz. Dear grandmother of Traci Kaplan, Jeffrey Kaplan, and Allison Berger. Graveside services at New Montefiore Cemetery, New York, on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 11:00 am. Following interment, a memorial observance will be at the home of David and Dorothy Berger until sundown.  In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made Rivercrest LTC, 80 Deaconess Rd., Concord, MA 01742.

Joyce A.Dorfman- of Newton,on Feb. 16,2012. Devoted mother of Marcia Markey and her husband Randy of Newton and Nancy Hughes of Winthrop. Dear grandmother of Max Markey. Loving Sister of Donald Aronson and his wife Joan Gelman of New York. Dear Sister in law of Barbara Norman and her husband Sol of Needham. Joyce was a Loving and Devoted aunt and great aunt. Services at Temple Shalom, 175 Temple St. West Newton on Sunday Feb. 19 at 11:00 am. Following interment at Adath Jeshurun Cemetery, Grove St. West Roxbury, a memorial observance will be held at the home of Marcia and Randy Markey until 8:00 pm Sunday, Monday 2-4 & 7-9 pm. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to a charity of your choice.

Donald Penn-Of Attleboro, February  15, 2012. Graveside services Beth El Cemetery  776 Baker St. West Roxbury  on Friday February 17  at 10:00 am

On February 15, 2012, Joseph Wiesenfeld; cherished husband of the late Ernestine Wiesenfeld (nee Katz) and Eleanor Wiesenfeld (nee Roos); beloved father of Jane (Josh) Douglass, Jim Wiesenfeld, Tena (Bob) Deckelbaum, Rich (Karen) Feldman, and the late Bill Feldman; dear father-in-law of Sally Feldman; also survived by nine loving grandchildren and two loving great-grandchildren.Funeral services and interment will be held at Baltimore Hebrew Cemetery – 2100 Belair Road on Friday, February 17, at 11 AM. Please omit flowers. Contributions in his memory may be sent to the Jewish Museum of Maryland, 15 Lloyd Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. In mourning at 3424 Janellen Drive, Baltimore, MD 21208.

.

FAFEL-Bradley of Quincy on February 10, 2012. Dear son of the late Leo and Celia (Polono) Fafel. Loving brother of Mark and his wife Ann (Sweeney) Fafel. Devoted uncle of Justin and his wife Tracy, and Tovah and her fiancé Jim. Graveside services at Sharon Memorial Park on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 11:45 am. Following interment, memorial observance will be at the home of Mark and Ann Fafel until 8 pm only. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West, 6^th floor, Brookline, MA 02445, or the American Diabetes Association, 330 Congress St., 5^th floor, Boston, MA 02110.

Ross-Martha of Newton and formerly of Brookline, on February 12, 2012. Beloved wife of the late John Ross. Devoted mother of Alan Ross and his wife Carol of Sharon, Harriet Galgay and her husband Robert of Burlington, and Jane Ross of CA. Martha is survived by four loving grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Graveside services at Temple Emeth Memorial Park, 770 Baker St., W. Roxbury, MA on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Martha’s memory may be made to the charity of your choice.

Mary E. (Connor) Ruvich of Rockland died Feb. 8, 2012. She was the beloved wife of the late Louis F. Ruvich; devoted mother of Edward Ruvich and his wife Fafa, Carol Crisafulli and her husband Nando and the late Steven and Martin Ruvich; sister of Margaret Conniff and Helen Day; grandmother of Scott Brody; and great-grandmother of Gavin and Katy. Graveside services at Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon, Sunday, Feb. 12, at 1:45 p.m. Remembrances may be made to the Humane Society.

Goldstein-Dr. Joseph of Newton, on Feb. 9, 2012.Beloved husband  of the late Dr. Clara ( Horvath) Goldstein. Devoted father of Magda Butnaru and her husband Avner of Needham,Dr. Gabriella Goldstein and her husband Lewis Katz of Palm Beach, FL. Dear grandfather of Iris and Matthew Butnaru and Robert Katz.Graveside services at The Mohliver Cemetery 776 Baker St.West Roxbury on Sunday Feb. 12 , 2012 at 10:00 am.Following services a memorial observance will be held at the home of Magda and Avner,Butnaru 81  Grant St. Needham  until 5:00pm Sunday and then Monday and Tuesday 5-8pm.In lieu of flowers remembrances to a charity of your choice.

Dr. Larissa  Lachman  of  Brookline , on February  8 , 2012  at age 53 . Beloved daughter of  Eva  Lotsov of  Newton and the late  Nikolai. Devoted mother of Phillip Lachman of CA .Former wife of Mark Lachman.Services in The Brezniak-Rodman Chapel 1251 Washington St. West Newton on Sunday February 12, 2012 at 12:30 pm.

SHERMAN-Herbert, formerly of Chelsea and Medford, on February 6, 2012. Beloved husband of Molly (Shapiro) Sherman. Devoted father of Leonard Sherman, Judith Atwood, and the late Neal Sherman. Dear grandfather of Adam, James,  Beth Sherman,  Mark Ellis, and Rachel Atwood and  great grandfather of Molly Ellis. Herbert was a WWII veteran of the army. He worked in the Charlestown Navy yard as a shipfitter for thirty years, and worked at General Electric in Lynn. Graveside services at the Jewish Community Center Cemetery, 16 Buxton Lane, Danvers on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers remembrances in his memory may be made to a charity of your choice.

Mr. Abbott A. Shuster, of  New Bedford, died at St. Lukes Hospital, New Bedford, on February 6, 2012.

He was the son of the late Murray and Anne Shuster. He is the beloved husband of Millicent E. (Zeman).

Devoted father of Barry S. Shuster and his companion Theresa Poulin. Grandfather of Max and Sam Shuster. He was the loving brother of the late Gilbert Shuster and Besse Nisson. Services at Tifereth Israel Congregation, 145 Brownell Ave., New Bedford on Wednesday, February 8 at 11am. Following the burial at the Tifereth Israel Cemetery, Plainville, a memorial observance will be held at the home of Barry Shuster, through sundown on Friday. Remembrances may be made to the Tifereth Israel

Congregation Minyan Fund. Mr. Shuster was a veteran of WWll, a 32^nd degree Mason and a Shriner.

For over 50 years he was the owner of Murray Shuster’s Market and then was employed by Fernandes Supermarket.

WOLFSON, Leonard G. Of Newton, on February 6, 2012. Beloved husband of Sylvia (Smookler). Devoted father of Curt Wolfson and Hope Zieff and her husband Steven. Dear grandfather of Ilana and Jillian Zieff. Loving brother of the late Allen Wolfson. Services at Temple Shir Tikva, 141 Boston Post Rd., Wayland, on Wednesday, February 8, at 1:30 pm. Following the interment at Beit Olam Cemetery, Wayland, Memorial Observance will be at the home of Hope and Steven Zieff, on Wednesday until 8 pm, Thursday 1-4, 6-8 pm, Friday 1-4 pm, and Saturday evening. Remembrances may be made to GRECC Activities, 62 CD, c/o Bedford V.A. Medical Center, 200 Springs Rd., Bedford, MA 01730.

Ruth Gessner-Schocken, musician, mother and champion of peace between Israel and Palestine, died peacefully at home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, February 6. She was 97.

Born in Berlin, Germany, in 1914, into an Orthodox Jewish environment, Ruth Weinberger studied piano at an early age and appeared to have a promising concert career ahead of her. Amongst her well-known Berlin teachers were Prueher and Roediger. But her favorite was Michael Taube who was an influence on her well after she left Berlin.

On a vacation trip to Palestine in 1935, Ruth met Charles Gessner – also on vacation – and they married in New York in 1937. Ruth, along with her brother David, mother and father, had managed to escape Germany before the escalating Nazi crackdown on German Jews. Their escape followed the Nazi confiscation of Ruth’s father’s business – the largest butter and cheese wholesale operation in Berlin.

From 1937 to 1954 Ruth Gessner lived in Escanaba, Michigan, a small town in the Upper Peninsula, and the location of her husband’s family retail business (The Fair Store – “Upper Michigan’s Shopping Center”). During those 17 years in what Ruth’s friends subsequently called her exile to “Elba”, Ruth and Charles had three children: Charles, David and Lenore. Despite abandoning her piano career to become a wife and mother, Ruth still practiced piano four or more hours every day on her beloved Bechstein – brought from Berlin, and wowed the small Michigan community with a number of concerts. Over that period she also became an advocate for Planned Parenthood – and developed a close relationship with many of the small town’s Christian clergy, despite their differences on what at the time were very forward thinking concepts. Escanaba’s Jewish community consisted of 13 families – out of a population of 15,000.

In 1954 Ruth’s husband, after year’s as a silent partner, joined the management of her father’s shoe company – Oomphies – headquartered in Lawrence, and the family moved to Cambridge, thus joining the vibrant greater-Boston arts and intellectual community. A new life began for Ruth, as she developed relations with many musicians in the area. Their new home, featuring a large music room with two grand pianos, became a hub of musical entertainment and a very successful fund raising venue for favorite charities.

In 1968 Charles Gessner died suddenly of a heart attack, and at age 54 Ruth was a widow at what turned out to be close to the midpoint of her long life. Thus began another chapter in that life, one that paradoxically brought her great joy over time. On another vacation trip to what was now Israel, Ruth met a former schoolmate from Berlin, Wolfgang Schocken. They married in Cambridge in 1970 and moved to Tel Aviv, Israel, another community with a vibrant musical life. Mr. Schocken was a viola player and teacher and had two daughters from a previous marriage.

Returning to Cambridge in the early ‘70’s, both Wolfgang and Ruth started new careers, joining the faculties of music departments at MIT, Tufts, BU and the Longy School. Ruth concentrated on coaching singers in German, French and Italian diction, and she developed a group of singer-friends who benefitted from her musical training and her discipline and drive. Many musical events in the music room on Traill Street celebrated the success of this new chapter in her life.

Ruth was widowed again in 1995 when Mr. Schocken passed away. At that time she established an annual concert series at the Longy School – the Gessner-Schocken Concert Series – honoring her two husbands and presenting to the Cambridge music community up and coming artists from across the globe.

For the past 15 years she has continued to participate actively in the vibrant musical life of the greater-Boston community. She sat in the same seat for BSO concerts for 57 years, and sometimes attended more concerts – Celebrity Series, Longy presentations and others – in a given week than most people would attend in a year

Ruth Schocken is survived by two sons, Charles Gessner and his wife Susan of Marblehead and David Gessner of Somerville, her daughter Lenore Travis and her husband George of Lincoln  two stepdaughters, Rachel Eshel and Ayala Sacharov living in Israel; and nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Services  will  be held in the Bigelow Chapel,  Mount Auburn Cemetery on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 11:00 am.Following  interment  at  Mount Auburn Cemetery  a memorial observance will be held at her residence until 8:00 pm Thursday, Friday 3-5pm and  Sunday 12-2pm , 4-7pm.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Gessner-Schocken Concert Series at Longy School of Music, 27 Garden Street Cambridge MA 02138.

Eileen Newman, 83, of Delray Beach Florida, formerly of

Greenfield, passed away peacefully after a brave, years-long battle

with cancer.

Born Eileen Gloria Tinkle, she was raised on a cattle farm in Ravena,

N.Y. Eileen moved to Greenfield in 1950, helping to operate Peggy

Parker, a women’s clothing store that was located on 138 Main Street,

with Marvin Newman, until their divorce in 1978.

An ardent tennis player, she was a fixture at the Beacon Field tennis

courts in the 1970s, cheerfully pedaling there from her nearby home on

High Street on a green adult tricycle, the family dog, Murph,

scampering behind.

She was a member of the Temple Israel Sisterhood and lifetime member

of Hadassah.

Eileen moved to Framingham, MA, in 1981, where she worked for the

International Data Corp. She owned a summer home in East Falmouth, MA,

before purchasing a home in Delray Beach, FL, to which she retired in

2005.

She is survived by her children: Judy (Newman) Cohen and Lori (Newman)

Murphy, both of Andover, MA, and Andrew Adam Newman, of New York City.

She is also survived by her sons-in-law, Martin Cohen and Keith

Murphy; and by four grandchildren, Emily Cohen, Toby Cohen, Benjamin

Murphy and Melanie Murphy.

She is predeceased by her son, Jeffrey, who passed away in 1995.

Funeral services will be held at Temple Emanuel, 7 Haggetts Pond Road

Andover, MA at 10 a.m. Monday, followed by a burial in Greenfield at

the Temple Israel Cemetery, 276 Log Plain Road East, at 1:30 p.m.

Monday. A reception at will follow at the Greenfield Grille, 30

Federal Street. Shiva will be at the home of Judy and Marty Cohen

on Tuesday, February 7, from 3-9 pm. Minyan at 7 pm.

Donations in her memory can be made to the American Cancer Society,

American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

GOLDMAN-Anne Rachael (Schuman), of Middleboro, on February 4, 2012. Beloved wife of Harvey (Bill) Goldman. Dear daughter of the late Louis Robert and Miriam Schuman (Pinkney). Loving sister of Joseph Schuman. Devoted mother of Stacey J. Norling (Goldman), and Sara G. Hartley (Goldman). Dear grandmother of Cameron and Juliana Norling, and Eli Hartley. Services at Temple Beth Am, 871 North Main St., Randolph on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place, 6^th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445.

Dorothy “Tootsie”Herman, Of Newton, formerly of the West End of Boston, on January 25, 2012. Beloved wife of the late Samuel “Snowy” Herman. Devoted mother of Michael Herman and Cheryl Kottke of Newton and Fitzwilliam, NH, Dennis and Cece Herman of Newton, and her devoted daughter, Bonnie Bycoff of Hingham and NYC. Mother in- law of the late Meryl Herman. Dear grandmother of Jennifer(Herman) & Sean Farrel, Starr Herman, Perry Herman, Matthew Herman, Amanda (Herman) Shrier, Dr Seth Herman & his wife Kate, William Herman and his wife Heather, Tami (Herman) Olsen and her husband Ed, Gregory, Kenneth, Lorne and Douglas Bycoff and Four great-grandchildren, Beckett & Emmett Shrier, Savannah and Shane Olsen. Graveside services at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanon Cemetery, 232 Fuller Street, Everett, on Friday, January 27 at 11 am. Following the interment, memorial observance will be at Newbridge On The Charles, 7000 Great Meadow Road, Dedham until sundown. Remembrances may be made to Alzheimer’s Association , 311 Arsenal St. Watertown, MA 02472.

Dorothy “Tootsie”Herman, Of Newton, formerly of the West End of Boston, on January 25, 2012. Beloved wife of the late Samuel “Snowy” Herman. Devoted mother of Michael Herman and Cheryl Kottke of Newton and Fitzwilliam, NH, Dennis and Cece Herman of Newton, and her devoted daughter, Bonnie Bycoff of Hingham and NYC. Mother in- law of the late Meryl Herman. Dear grandmother of Jennifer(Herman) & Sean Farrel, Starr Herman, Perry Herman, Matthew Herman, Amanda (Herman) Shrier, Dr Seth Herman & his wife Kate, William Herman and his wife Heather, Tami (Herman) Olsen and her husband Ed, Gregory, Kenneth, Lorne and Douglas Bycoff and Four great-grandchildren, Beckett & Emmett Shrier, Savannah and Shane Olsen. Graveside services at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanon Cemetery, 232 Fuller Street, Everett, on Friday, January 27 at 11 am. Following the interment, memorial observance will be at Newbridge On The Charles, 7000 Great Meadow Road, Dedham until sundown. Remembrances may be made to Alzheimer’s Association , 311 Arsenal St. Watertown, MA 02472.

DeStefano, Mario P. “Dusty”, of Peabody, on January 26, 2012. Beloved husband of the late Teresa (Alberta) DeStefano. Devoted father of Gary and Anne  of Danvers, Dana and Liz  of Beverly, and Wayne and Michelle  of Peabody. Grandfather of Kara DeStefano, Cori and Brian Boudreau, Tyler and Rachael DeStefano, Daniel and Jaclyn DeStefano, Kassidi DeStefano  and Jake DeStefano. Great-grandfather of Brennan Boudreau. Brother of Marilyn  and Ronald Miller, Barbara and Robert  Leuci and Thomas DeStefano. The Family will receive visitors at Conway,Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody on Sunday, January 29, 3-7 pm. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather on Monday, January 30 at 9am at the Conway,Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, Peabody, followed by a  Funeral Mass at 10 am, at St Richards Church, 90 Forest Street, Danvers.  In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Mario’s memory may be made to Care Alternatives  Hospice, 181 Cedar Hill Road, Marlboro, MA  01752.Mario  was a funeral director  , hired by the late Henry Levine  he was the first non family member  to arrange  funerals at The Levine Chapel , Brookline  where he was employed for  over 45 years  , shortly after  The Brezniak-Rodman Chapel  was founded he joined the chapel  as  a supervisor and funeral director where he remained until his passing.Mario will be missed by countless funeral professionals  whom he mentored over  his distinguished career. 

Beth Hershenson- age 47 of  Rehoboth  ,she passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer  on January 19, 2012.Beloved companion of Alan Smith , Devoted mother of Allison, Heidi and Jared Gruber. Dear daughter of  Judy Hershenson and the late Jerry .Loving granddaughter of Lee Brezniak .Devoted sister of  Keith Hershenson.Dear  niece of  Claudia Brodsky and her husband David.Loving aunt to Julia and Abigail Hershenson Devoted cousin to Alex Brodsky. Services at  Congregation Agudas Achim 901 North Main  St. Attleboro on Sunday January 22, 2012 at 10:30 am.Following interment at  Sharon Memorial Park a memorial observance will be held at her residence until 8:00pm Sunday  and Monday thru Wednesday 2-4, 7-9pm .Memorial observance will continue at the home of her mother Judy Hershenson, Thursday  2-4, 7-9pm and Friday 1-4pm. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Dana Farber Brigham and Womens Cancer Center at Faulkner Hospital Breast Center , 1153 Centre St. Jamaica Plain,MA 02130

Kant-Charlotte, of Wayland, formerly of Poughkeepsie, NY, on January 17, 2012.   Beloved wife of the late Dr. Arthur Kant (Saul Abraham Kantrowitz). Dear daughter of the late Nathan and Leah (Kaston) Kaplan. Devoted mother of Laurence, Deborah, and Amy, and  cherished mother-in-law of Dianne Bazell. Loving sister of Ann Murkoff and the late Alvin Kaplan. Services at Brezniak-Rodman Chapel, 1251 Washington St., (Corner of Chestnut St.) West Newton, on Friday, January 20 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Doctors Without Borders, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741, or Planned Parenthood, 1055 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215.

 Benatuil-Sherwin of Brockton passed away peacefully, January 17, 2012, at the VA Nursing home in Brockton. He was 80yrs old. Veteran of the U.S.Airforce. He served in Germany 1947-1949.Husband of the late Maria(Chiofolo)Benatuil, formerly of Brockton.Brother of Anita Woolf of Cape Cod.Father of Steven Benatuil of Hyde Park,Leo Benatuil of East Boston. Stepfather of Christine Soule of Hyde Park.Grandfather of the late Jarod Benatuil, formerly of Hyde Park,Adam Benatuil of Dedham,Brad Benatuil of East Boston,Alex Benatuil of New York City,Devene Benatuil of Florida,Joseph Doran of Avon,Mark Doran of Braintree,Kristen Doran of Quincy. He is also survived by several great grandchildren,nieces,great nieces and nephews.He was the cherished friend of MaryJane Castiglia. Services at Temple Beth Am, 871 North Main Street, Randolph on Friday, January 20 at 11:00 am. Remembrances may be made to The American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA  01701.

Meyburg-Lee Denise (Stollerman), of Framingham, formerly of Ithaca, NY, born May 28, 1946 passed away on January 14, 2012. Dear daughter of Doctor Gene Stollerman, and the late Corynne M. Stollerman. Devoted mother of Jennifer Meyburg. Loving sister of John Stollerman and Anne DiZio. Loving sister-in-law of Rhonda Stollerman. Cherished aunt of Sarah DiZio and Corynne Stollerman.

Lee will be remembered as the fantastically whimsical lover of laughs, dirty jokes, clean jokes, and in-between jokes. She was an incredibly loving and supportive mother both to Jenny and Jenny’s partner, John Landrebe, a most caring and generous sister, a fiery woman and passionate friend, and all around phenomenal being. An avid game player, musical theater aficionado, talented visual artist, lovely singer and dancer, trivia buff and lover of lilacs and lily of the valley, she made the world a more beautiful place both through her spirit and her way of bringing nature to bloom.

Beyond her sense of humor she shared freely her generosity, her compassion, her sensitivity, her loyalty, and her meticulous care of those she loved, be they two-legged or four-legged.  A life-long educator, Lee received her Bachelor’s degree at Northwestern University and a Master in Education from SUNY Cortland. She approached her teaching craft with the same whimsy, humor, and compassion she brought to all aspects of life.

If you would like to contribute to a memorial gift, please send tributes under the name Lee Meyburg to The Cornell Plantations, 1 Plantations Road, Ithaca, NY 14850. Donations will be used to name a tree in her honor which will be cared for in perpetuity.

Memorial service will be private. The family will be sitting shiva at the home of John and Rhonda Stollerman on Friday, January 20, 2012 from 1-4pm, Saturday from 4:30-8:00pm, and Sunday from 1-5pm.

Lottor-Sanford M. of Newton, on January 12, 2012. Beloved husband of the late Simonette (Knopp). Devoted father of Colette Lottor and her husband Richard Jacobi,Mark Lottor and Nicole Lottor. Adoring grandfather of Jeremy, Adrienne, Benjamin,Justin, Peter and Kyle. Loving uncle of Julie Knopp. Services at Temple Sinai, 25 Canton Street, Sharon on Monday, January 16 at 12 Noon. Memorial observance at his late residence, on Tuesday and Wednesday 4-8 pm. Remembrances may be made to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 1311 Mamaroneck Ave.,White Plains, NY  10605, www.lls.org  or to Combined Jewish Philanthropies , 126 High St.,Boston,MA 02110, www.cjp.org .

SCHWARTZ, Eleanor (Glick) Of Sharon on Jan 5, 2012. Beloved wife of Joseph Schwartz, Devoted mother of Roberta Fishman and her husband Larry of Sharon, Dear grandmother of Michael and David. Loving sister of the late Dudley and Doris Glick. Eleanor contributed 38 years of compassionate service at Sharon high school, and her dedicated volunteering at the Sharon Council of Aging and Temple Israel. She will be missed by the community sorely. Services at Temple Israel, 125 Pond St, Sharon on Sunday January 8 at 1:30pm. Following the interment at Sharon Memorial Park, the family will be returing to Temple Israel, until, minyan at 7:30 p,m. They would invite friends to visit during that time. Also visitors are able to pay condolences at the Fishman home on Monday and Tuesday 2-4pm. Remembrances may be made to: The Rabbi’s Fund at Temple Israel, Sharon

Photos/Mike LovettRobert Shapiro ’52 and his wife, Valya ’61, met at Brandeis and served the university on many levels.

Robert Shapiro ’52, who was a member of Brandeis’ first graduating class and served as a longtime trustee at this university his father helped establish, died on Friday, Jan. 6, in Chestnut Hill, Mass. He was 81 and had been battling cancer.

The son of founding Trustee Abraham Shapiro, the younger Shapiro grew up with Brandeis – from student to alumnus to reunion organizer to donor to fundraiser to president’s councilor to fellow and, finally, to trustee in 1979.

Mr. Shapiro stayed close to the university through the years – both literally and figuratively. He lived just a few miles from Brandeis and, along with his wife, Valya (Kazes) Shapiro ’61, frequently visited campus for celebrations, get-togethers with students and faculty, meetings, events, openings, commencements and reunions.

“Bob was a man of unusually generous spirit,” Brandeis President Fred Lawrence said. “He and Valya have been great friends to Brandeis for so many years in so many ways.  He will be dearly missed.”

Mr. Shapiro received an honorary degree from Brandeis in 1992 and was presented the Alumni Association’s Service to Association Award in 1984 for his work as chair of the Alumni Annual Fund from 1979-82. He and his wife generously supported a number of initiatives, including construction of the Abraham Shapiro Academic Complex and the Robert and Valya Shapiro Endowment for Sephardic and East European Jewish Studies.

Fittingly, Mr. Shapiro also met his future wife through Brandeis. In 1961, his niece, Bettina Dorn ’61, introduced him to Ms. Kazes, a Wien International Scholarship Program student from Turkey. They met on a snowy January night, had their first date in February, and were married in June, six days after her graduation. Brandeis founding President Abram Sachar, a close friend of the Shapiro family, gave away the bride since her parents were unable to attend the wedding.

“Bob understood and was an articulate spokesperson concerning the values for which Brandeis stands,” said Malcolm Sherman, P ’83, chair of the Brandeis Board of Trustees. “He was a significant contributor to the emotional and intellectual life of the university.”

Mr. Shapiro first joined the Board of Trustees in 1979 and was a member of the university’s governing board until his death. He served on a number of trustee committees, including academic affairs, development, nominating and governance, students and enrollment, honorary degrees and audit.

Involvement with Brandeis was a family affair for the Shapiros. Mr. Shapiro’s seven siblings, all of whom preceded him in death, were connected with the university. His brother Jacob was a trustee, brother George served as a Brandeis fellow and sister Alice was a president’s councilor. Mr. Shapiro’s wife is a fellow of the university and serves on the board of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program.

“I am deeply saddened by Bob’s death,” said Nancy Winship, P’ ’10, P ’12, senior vice president of institutional advancement. “We worked closely together for 18 years, and I was always struck by Bob’s personal warmth and his deep dedication to his two families – the Shapiros and Brandeis. We will all miss him very much.”

Mr. Shapiro was president of Turn Key Living, an interior design firm that he founded with his wife. He was also a licensed marriage and family therapist, and served as a chaplain at Hebrew Senior Life. He was a principal with the family real estate business that his father started.

In addition to his support of Brandeis, Mr. Shapiro was a leader in the Boston Jewish and philanthropic communities. He served on the boards of Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Temple Israel of Boston, the Boston Association for the Blind, and the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association.

Along with his wife of 50 years, Mr. Shapiro leaves two sons, Bram, and his wife, Jennifer, of Brookline, and Steven and his wife, Kimberly, of Atlanta; and five grandchildren, Isak, Leyla, Sophie, Nola and Robert.

Funeral services will be held at Temple Israel of Boston, 477 Longwood Ave., Boston, ( attendant  parking on the Riverway) on Monday, Jan. 9 at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at Baker Street Cemetery, West Roxbury. Shiva will be at his home on Monday from 5-9 p.m. and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

Sojcher-Carol (Frymerman) of Leominster on January 7, 2012. A Holocaust survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp. Beloved wife of Leon Sojcher. Devoted mother of Stuart H. Sojcher, and Robin B. Sojcher and her husband Richard Luettgen. Dear grandmother of Shlomo. Services at Congregation Agudat Achim, 268 Washington St., Leominster, MA on Monday January 9, 2012 at 1:00 pm. Memorial observance will be at her late residence Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 3:30- 7:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Holocaust Museum 100 15th St SW, Washington, DC 20024.

MATTHEW SEIFER of Hull, MA celebrated 103 years of life

April 5,1908 – January 5, 2012 

Seifer-Matthew, of Hull on January 5, 2012. Beloved husband of Lillian (Wood) Seifer and the late Augusta (Fagin) Seifer. Devoted father of Joseph and his wife Ramona, Sandra Bonilla, and the late Richard Seifer and his surviving spouse Beverly. Dear grandfather of Amy Prychal, Michael Seifer, David Naterman, Randi Butter, Paul Seifer, Tammi Kiker, Jodi Dunlop, and Samantha and Richard Seifer. Matthew is also survived by many loving great grandchildren and loving great-great grandchildren. Loving brother of Joel and his wife Blanche, and the late Jack, and Charlotte (Arkie).

Referred to by his many colleagues as a living legend, Matthew Seifer worked 33 years for the Federal Bureau of Narcotics /Drug Enforcement Agency. In 2006, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the New England Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association. Matthew graduated from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy with a Pharmaceutical Chemist degree in 1930. He was married to Augusta (Gussie) Fagan for 47 years until her death.  He proudly served his country in World War ll even though he was 36 years old and had 3 children and could have been deferred. He served in the Navy as a Pharmacist Mate.

He lived at home in Hull, Mass. with his wife, of 24 years, Lillian (Wood) Seifer, until one month ago when his health deteriorated. Matthew Seifer spent his life serving the law enforcement community and his country, and giving his love and wisdom unconditionally to his fortunate family and friends.

We celebrate his life and all the blessings he had during his 103 years. 

Services at Brezniak-Rodman Chapel 1251 Washington St., (Corner of Chestnut St.)

W. Newton on Tuesday January 10, 2012 at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Temple Beth Shalom, 600 Nantasket Ave., Hull, MA 02045

Asa David Conviser- of  Brookline, on January 5, 2012.Dear son of Marilyn Conviser  and Eliot Conviser Dear brother of  Janet Weinberg and her husband Alan, Nancy Conviser  and Adam Conviser and his wife Gloria  Dear uncle of  Evan and  Joshua Weinberg and  Benjamin and Ari  Conviser .Services at The Brezniak-Rodman Chapel , 1251 Washington St. ( Corner of Chestnut St.) West Newton on Monday January 9  at 11:30 am. Following interment at Adath  Jeshurun Cemetery,Grove  St. , West Roxbury, memorial observance will be at the home of Janet and Alan Weinberg until 8pm Monday, and Tuesday 1- 8pm.In lieu of flowers remembrances may be  made to the Crohns and Colitis Foundation , 280 Hillside Avenue , Needham, MA 02494 ( 781-449-0324 )

Doniger-Daniel of West Palm Beach, FL and Stoughton, on January 5, 2012. Beloved husband of the late Barbara (Goldman). Devoted father of William Doniger of Boston and Joseph Doniger and his wife Bonnie of Randolph. Cherished Papa of Marci Doniger and Chris daCamara, Stacey Doniger and Eric Friedrich. Loving brother of the late Louis, Murray, Israel Doniger and Frances Shevack. Very favorite uncle of many loving nieces and nephews. Services at Temple Beth Am, 871 N. Main Street, Randolph on Monday, Jan 9 at 1:00 pm. Shiva will be at the home of Joseph and Bonnie Doniger thru Saturday evening, January 14. Remembrances may be made to Temple Beth Am Religious School, 871 N. Main Street, Randolph, MA  02368.

Gordon-Edward, of Florida, formerly of Brookline, MA on January 5, 2012. Ed was a proud veteran of World War 2, serving in the Coast Guard. Beloved husband of Natly (Zuker) Gordon. Devoted father of Jerry and his wife Margie, Mark and his wife Sandi, and Linda and her husband Fred. Dear grandfather of Alison and her husband Mark, Merissa and her husband Mark, and Ronnie, Jamie, and Andrea. Proud great grandfather of Taylor and Matthew. Loving brother of the late Jay Gordon.  Uncle Eddie is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Cherished by many, Ed will be missed by family and friends. Graveside services at Beth El cemetery, Baker St., West Roxbury, on Monday, January 9, 2012 at 11:00 am. Following interment, memorial observance will be at the home of Linda and Fred Greenberg, Monday only. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Conquer Cancer Coalition, www.conquercancer.org, the Conquer Cancer Coalition, PO Box 973, Framingham, MA 01701.

Rosen-Selma (Bernstein) of Boca Raton,Fl, formerly of Needham and Newton, unexpectedly on January 4, 2012. Beloved wife of the late Saul E. Rosen. Devoted mother of Richard A. Rosen and his wife Jo-Ann of Needham and the late Gail A. Rios. Cherished grandmother of Andrea E. Rosen of Jamaica Plain, Benjamin J. Rosen and his wife Michele of Natick and Dr. Clifford G. Rios and his wife Vanessa of CT. Loving great-grandmother of Nathan John Rosen. Loving sister of Dorothy T. Bernstein of Dedham. Services at the Brezniak-Rodman Chapel, 1251 Washington St., (Corner of Chestnut St.) West Newton, on Sunday, January 8 at 11:30am. Following interment at Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon, memorial observance will be held at the home of Richard and Jo-Ann Rosen on Sunday until 8 pm and Monday 2-4, 6-9 pm. In lieu of flowers , please consider giving to the Yawkey Family Inn at Children’s Hospital Boston in memory of Selma Rosen to support patient family housing. Contributions can be made online at www.childlrenshospital.org/tribute or checks made payable to children’s Hospital Boston can be mailed to Children’s Hospital Trust, 1 Autumn Street, #731, Boston, MA 02215-5301.

Seymour “ Sonny”,Saslaw-of  Jamaica Plain , Gabbai  of   Nehar  Shalom Community Synagogue  of Jamaica Plain , on January 2, 2012.Beloved husband of Jacquelynn  Abraham-Saslow.Loving  father  of Sharon Bridson and her husband Gary of Sandown, NH, Joel Saslaw his wife Carole of West Peabody,MA .Loving stepfather  of Joshua Abraham.Cherished grandfather of Anna and Zachary Bridson and Justin and Ryan Saslaw.Brother of Irving Saslaw.Services at The Brezniak-Rodman Chapel 1251 Washington St.(corner of  Chestnut St.) West Newton on Wednesday January 4, 2012 at 1:00 pm.Following interment at King Solomon Cemetery , Centre St. West Roxbury ,Shivah will be held at his residence ,241 Perkins Street, Jamaica Plain, Unit A201. Please announce at the gate that you are there for the shivah. There will be an evening service at 7:30 pm every night from Wednesday through Monday, except for Friday evening. Visitation hours will be from 2:00-5:00 and from 7:00-9:00 except Friday and Shabbos. On Friday, visitation hours will be from 11:30 am -3:00 pm thru Tuesday  morning  January 10.In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Nehar Shalom Community Synagogue , 43 Lochstead Ave. , Jamaica Plain,MA 02130 or The Synagogue Council of MA,1320 Centre  St. ( Suite  306) Newton, MA 02459

Seymour “ Sonny”,Saslaw-of  Jamaica Plain , Gabbai  of   Nehar  Shalom Community Synagogue  of Jamaica Plain , on January 2, 2012.Beloved husband of Jacquelynn  Abraham-Saslow.Loving  father  of Sharon Bridson and her husband Gary of Sandown, NH, Joel Saslaw his wife Carole of West Peabody,MA .Loving stepfather  of Joshua Abraham.Cherished grandfather of Anna and Zachary Bridson and Justin and Ryan Saslaw.Brother of Irving Saslaw.Services at The Brezniak-Rodman Chapel 1251 Washington St.(corner of  Chestnut St.) West Newton on Wednesday January 4, 2012 at 1:00 pm.Following interment at King Solomon Cemetery , Centre St. West Roxbury ,Shivah will be held at his residence ,241 Perkins Street, Jamaica Plain, Unit A201. Please announce at the gate that you are there for the shivah. There will be an evening service at 7:30 pm every night from Wednesday through Monday, except for Friday evening. Visitation hours will be from 2:00-5:00 and from 7:00-9:00 except Friday and Shabbos. On Friday, visitation hours will be from 11:30 am -3:00 pm thru Tuesday  morning  January 10.In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Nehar Shalom Community Synagogue , 43 Lochstead Ave. , Jamaica Plain,MA 02130 or The Synagogue Council of MA,1320 Centre  St. ( Suite  306) Newton, MA 02459

Emanuel R. Goldman – of Newton Centre, MA and Waterville, ME ,on December  29, 2011Beloved husband of  Patricia ( Hillson) Goldman. Devoted father of  Bruce Goldman and his wife Beth of Norwood, Ellen Kaplansky and her husband Ely of Newton and Stephen N. Goldman of  Hallowell, ME.Dear grandfather of  Winna  Gorham and  her husband John , Seth Goldman and Liza  Kaplansky. Loving Brother of Esther Welling of Ossining, NY .Services at The Brezniak-Rodman Chapel  1251 Washington St. ( Corner of Chestnut St.)West Newton,MA  on Tuesday  January 3, 2012 at 11:00 am. Interment will take place at Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, MA . A memorial observance will be held at the home of Ellen and Ely Kaplansky  Tuesday 4-8pm and  Wednesday 12-4 and 6- 8pm.In lieu of flowers  remembrances may be made toThe  American Parkinson Disease Association 135 Parkinson Ave. Staten Island,NY 10305

Arrangements  incomplete  at this time

Mildred (Wagman) Cowan- of Aventura, FL,formerly of Revere and Lynn, on December 30, 2011.Beloved wife of the late Henry Cowan.Devoted Mother of Lois  Maisel and Foster Cooperstein .Dear mother in law of the late Allan S. Maisel.Dear grandmother of the late Ben Feld.Sister of the late Arthur and Norman Wagman. She was a devoted aunt to many nieces, nephews and cousins .Millie was funny, friendly  and feisty.Known to many as Aunt Mille she was an avid  skier,golfer and bridge player.She was a life long friend to Irene Wolf , Shirley and Earl Cousens.Services were held  at The  Brezniak-Rodman Chapel , 1251  Washington St. ( Chestnut St.) West Newton, MA on Sunday January 1, 2012 . Interment at Lakeside Memorial Park, Miami, FL on Tuesday January  3, 2012 at 11:00 am .In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to a charity of your choice.SHIVA WILL BE HELD  AT LOIS’S  RESIDENCE  WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING  2-8pm .