Barbara A. Shuffain (Rifkin), of Boca Raton, FL, Boston, and Sharon, on March 15, 2012. Beloved wife of Craig Shuffain. Devoted mother of Rebecca Sipowicz and her husband Carl and Stephanie Shuffain. Cherished grandmother of Mackenzie Sipowicz. Dear sister of William Rifkin. Services at Temple Sinai, 25 Canton St. Sharon on Sunday March 18, 2012 at 2:00 pm. Following interment at Sharon Memorial Park, a memorial observance will be held at the home Rebecca and Carl  Sipowicz until 8pm Sunday, Monday and Tuesday 2-4, 7-9 pm. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place, Brookline, MA 02445 (danafarber.org).

Marcia Ruth Schreiber Deutsch passed away March 13 at the age of 89. Born in Chicago to Ludwig and Jeanette Schreiber, she attended the University of Chicago and Chicago Music Conservatory.   She was married to Robert Kawin Deutsch, president of Schreiber Cheese Company, and resided in Green Bay for fifty years.  While raising six children she was active in the Antiquarian Society, Green Bay Symphony and Planned Parenthood. At the age of 53, she spent the summer in New York City where she studied at the New York School of Interior Design and turned her hobby of creating beautiful spaces for family and friends into a profession, becoming a well regarded interior designer in Green Bay, working on residences, offices, and even a luxury railroad car.  Her husband died in 1998 and in 2005 Marcia moved to Boston where she spent her final seven years in the enjoyment of new dear friends and the culture of the city.  She died surrounded by loving family. Known for her natural elegance and wit, generosity and kindness, she affected all who knew her. 

She is survived by her children Robin Deutsch and her husband David Himmelstein of Newton, Massachusetts, Mady Deutsch of Rome, Italy, Andrew Deutsch and his wife Cris Antunes of Sao Paulo Brazil, Roger Deutsch of San Francisco, Martin Deutsch of Los Altos, California, and Anne Deutsch of Portland Oregon, as well as her five beloved grandchildren, Jacob Blakesley, Emma Miller, Sam Miller, Hannah Deutsch, and Gabe Giles, and two great grandchildren, Giovanni and Lucy Sbordoni-Blakesley. 

Donations may be made to Planned Parenthood.Services are  private

Vignati -Mila Alexandra, age 2, daughter of Nicole & Jonathan Vignati of Newton, MA, passed away on March 12, 2012 of a prolonged battle with pneumonia, a complication of Tay-Sachs.  She was pure and beautiful and truly loved by all who met her. We will miss her with each breath we take , but take comfort in knowing that her struggles and frustrations are finally over.  She leaves behind adoring brothers Jackson and younger brother Hudson and maternal grandparents, Ronni & Ronald Casty and paternal grandparents, Ruth & Louis Vignati.  There will be no memorial service.  In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Tay-Sachs Gene Therapy Research via the National Tay-Sachs & Allied Disease Organization ( www.NTSAD.org)

Blau-Tibor, of Boxborough MA, and formerly of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on March 12, 2012. Beloved husband of the late Manya (Ostry) Blau. Dear son of the late Samuel and Elizabeth (Klein) Blau. Devoted father of Fred and Robert Blau. Dear Grandfather of Jamie, Elyse and Daniel, and Stephen and Nolan. Loving brother of the late Laci and Sanyi. Graveside services at Beit Olam cemetery, on Tuesday March 13, 2012 at 12 noon. Following interment, memorial observance will be at the home of Bob and Marybeth until 7 pm.  In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Jewish Family Services 1300 N. Jackson St. Milwaukee, WI 53202.

Evelyn Myers, 94, passed away on March 7, 2012 at the Jewish Healthcare Center, Worcester, MA where she had been living over the past year.

A service will be held at Wednesday, March 14th at 2:00 PM at Temple Emanuel, 280 May Street, Worcester, MA . Memorial observance will be held through Thursday evening, March 15th at the home of Laura Myers, 3B Ardmore Road in Worcester.

Private graveside services were held in Hartford, CT. on Tuesday March 13, 2012

Levine-June (Wilanski), of Merrimack, NH, formerly of Newton on March 8, 2012. Beloved wife of the late Leonard Levine. Devoted mother of David Dine and his wife Debbie and the late Harold Dine. Step mother of Dotte and David Nankin and Mark and Debbie Levine. Dear grandmother of Eleven grandchildren and Four great-grandchildren. Graveside services at Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon on Sunday, March 11 at 1:45 pm. Memorial observance will be at the home of Mark and Debbie Levine on Sunday only. Remembrances may be made to a charity of your choice.

Sherman Melvin Wolf, 86, died peacefully at his home Friday, March 9,2012. He was the devoted father of Scott and his wife Hiroko Mochizuki of Beverly Hills, CA; Steve and his wife Michelle of Wayland; and Julie of Newton. He was the cherished grandfather of Jennifer, Russell and Bryant Wolf and loving brother of Myron Wolf and the late Edith Friedlander. He was the chief ball tosser for his beloved dog Enzo. Sherman was a 53-year Master Mason of The Consolidated Lodge.

Sherman began his business career at age 16 repairing newly invented televisions for Jordan Marsh. He furthered his training in the Navy serving in World War II and the Korean War as an Electronic Technician Second Class and applied that training to establish Two-Way Radio Engineering, Inc., which provided and serviced all of greater-Boston’s police departments and taxi companies with two-way radios.  In the early 1960s, Sherman founded Zip-Call, Inc., which became the largest pocket paging company in New England, supplying all of the major Boston hospitals and trades. His innovations and breakthroughs led the industry and advanced the services provided. 

When no bank would offer financing, Sherman saw the potential of an outdoor music shed in Mansfield, Massachusetts and agreed to co-develop the Great Woods Center amphitheater and later the Harborlights Pavilion in Boston, both projects becoming models for similar facilities throughout the country.  Since 1986, Great Woods, now known as the Comcast Center, has provided enjoyment to millions of people in the New England area.

While successful in business, Sherman’s unique talent was troubleshooting and solving electrical and mechanical problems. He could fix anything and always found the most elegant solution. He was fortunate to have many caring neighbors and friends who enjoyed and appreciated his many talents and skills.

Sherman’s passion was collecting and repairing antique radios, clocks and cars. He always maintained and repaired his own vintage cars, frequently fabricating parts in his workshop when they could not be found. He participated in road rallies around the world including the Mille Miglia in Italy and Japan.   It was at these events where Sherman was truly in his element, often helping other drivers get their cars running again while they stood in awe. While most other participants brought their own mechanics and enjoyed the social parts of the event, Sherman reveled in climbing under the hood to diagnose and repair their cars.

He was dearly loved and will be sorely missed in so many ways. Services at Temple Shir Tikva, 141 Boston Post Rd., Wayalnd, MA 01778 on Monday, March 12, 2012 at 11:00 am. Following interment at Beit Olam Cemetery shiva will be observed at the home of Steven and Michelle Wolf, Monday until 8pm and Tuesday from 1pm to 8pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Glen Highland Farm Border Collie Rescue, 217 Pegg Road, Morris, NY 13808, or the charity of your choice.

Attorney Jack Zalkind- On March 9, 2012.Beloved husband of the late Carol(Cubell) .Dear son of the late William and Minnie( Gordon) Zalkind.Devoted father of Amanda and Jessica Zalkind.Jack was a prominent Boston trial attorney  for over 50 years.A graduate of Boston University Law School  he was a former Assistant Attorney General for  the Commonwealth of MA.He was a combat veteran of the Korean War.Services will be held at Temple Israel , 477 Longwood Ave.,Boston( attendant parking on the Riverway)on Monday, March 12, 2012 at 10:30 am.Following interment at Baker St. West Roxbury,memorial observance will be held at his Boston residence 1 Charles St. South ( 1 Charles  Condominium) until 9:00 pm Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 2-4, 7-9pm.In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to The American Cancer Society 30 Speen St. Framingham, MA 01701.

Theresa “Lee”  Sisson- Of  Newton , on March 6, 2012. Beloved mother of Bonnie Sisson and her husband Phil Porush of Torrance, CA .Loving grandmother of Max,whom she adored .Loving sister of Morris Spiegel, and the late Sally Staula, Mollie Baglione, Cimmie Canzano, Rose Mascerelli, Charlie Spiegel,Dotty Spiegel,and Saundra Speigel.Loving aunt to many nieces and nephews and life long precious friends.Graveside services were  held at  Kehillath Jacob Cemetery,  Baker St. West Roxbury

Theresa “Lee”  Sisson- Of  Newton , on March 6, 2012. Beloved mother of Bonnie Sisson and her husband Phil Porush of Torrance, CA .Loving grandmother of Max,whom she adored .Loving sister of Morris Spiegel, and the late Sally Staula, Mollie Baglione, Cimmie Canzano, Rose Mascerelli, Charlie Spiegel,Dotty Spiegel,and Saundra Speigel.Loving aunt to many nieces and nephews and life long precious friends.Graveside services were  held at  Kehillath Jacob Cemetery,  Baker St. West Roxbury

Eleanor Weinstein-On March 1, 2012.of Newton.Beloved widow of Jack .Devoted mother of  Michael,Zelig,Ora,David,Livia,Nina,Ari and Ezra.Survived by many grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.Services were held in The Brezniak-Rodman Chapel Newton on Friday March 2.Interment took place in Har Hamnuchot Cemetery, Jerusalem, Israel on Sunday March 4, 2012.Remembrances may be made to Hillel Academy, 4737 Deerfield , FL ,Vestal,NY 13850 or Temple Reyim,1850 Washington St. West Newton, MA 02466

Laura  Greenberg-Of Newton on March 2,2012,Graveside services  March 4, 2012 at Wellwood Cemetery, Pinelawn, LI ,NY

Ehrlich-Arnold of Quincy, on March 3, 2012. Graveside services at Sharon Memorial Park (Dedham St.) on Thursday, March 8^th 2012 at 10:45 am. Donations in his memory may be made to the charity of your choice. Memorial observance information to follow shortly.

Benson- Melvin, of Delray Beach FL, and formerly of Randolph, MA, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2012. Beloved husband of 62 years to Betty (Kay) Benson. Dear son of the late Louis and Pearl (Gidansky) Benson. Devoted father of Jill Benson and her husband Stephen, Barry Benson and his wife Karla, and David Benson and his wife Maureen. Proud grandfather of Emily, Daniel, and Molly Benson. Loving brother of Vivian Weiner, Janice Wolf, and the late Estelle Goldstein and Ruth Rubin. Melvin is also survived my many loving nieces and nephews. Born in Brooklyn NY, Melvin received a civil engineering degree from Northeastern University, and worked for many years in the roofing business. He was a proud veteran of WWII as part of the occupying troops in Japan. Graveside services at Sharon Memorial Park (Dedham St.) on Tuesday, March 6^th, 2012 at 11:45 am. Following interment, Shiva will be at the home of David and Maureen Benson Tuesday until 8 pm, Wednesday 3-8 pm, and Thursday 1-4 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the America Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701, or the charity of your choice.

Roberts – William (Bill) of New York, NY, age 74, died at home on February 29, 2012.  He was adored by his sister-in-law, Barbara Roberts of Jacksonville, FL; by his nieces, Beth Roberts of Chattanooga, TN, Amy Roberts of Bethesda, MD, and Susan Lubar (Kenneth) of Arlington, MA; and by his grand-niece Allegra Lubar.  He was predeceased by his brother, Carl Roberts.

Bill was born in West Hartford, CT to Nathaniel and Golda (Rubin) Roberts. After attending Tufts University and Columbia University Law School, he joined the office of the Attorney General of the state of New York, where he worked for many years.  Following his position as an assistant Attorney General he served as an Administrative Law Judge for the New York State Workman`s Compensation  Board until his retirement in 1995.

He relished all the fine cuisine that the world had to offer, often traveling overseas to dine at acclaimed restaurants. At home in New York, he frequented restaurants, the theater, and the ballet in the company of his many friends, who, like his family, will miss him dearly.

Graveside service will be at the Temple Israel cemetery in Wakefield, MA on Sunday March 4, 2012 at 1:30pm.   A memorial service will be held on April 15th in New York, NY at 11am.  In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous or to the New York City Ballet.

GLASS, Samuel Of Newton, on March 1, 2012. Beloved husband of the late Ruth (Landers) Glass. Devoted father of Dr. Judy Glass & her husband Jean Bussiere of Montreal, Canada & Dr. Joan Glass Morgan of Westfield, NJ. Dear grandfather of Michelle Shames & Suzanne Morgan. Loving brother of Harry Glass of Columbia, MD, & the late Esta Abrams. Dear uncle to Kenneth, Barry, & Laurence & Deborah & their families. Services at the War Memorial Auditorium at Newton City Hall, 1000 Comm. Ave., (Homer & Comm. Ave.) Newton on Sunday, March 4, at 10 a.m. Interment at Lindwood Memorial Park, Randolph, Memorial observance will be announced at the service. Remebrances may be made to The Lown Cardiovascular Foundation, 21 Longwood Ave., Brookline, MA 02446 , the Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton, MA 02459 or Hillel at Brandeis University ,MS 205,415 South St.,Waltham,MA 02454-9110.

“Newton has lost a great public servant in Sam Glass. His commitment to his country &  NewtonMA was remarkable. Our thoughts w/ his family,” Newton Mayor Setti Warren said on Twitter this afternoon.

The Newton City Democrats’ blog said that Glass’s “charm, quick wit and upbeat personality warmed the hearts of all those he met.’

Florence Goldman-Of Chestnut Hill, on March 1, 2012.Private graveside services on Monday March 5, 2012  at Sharon Memorial Park

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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