Archive: April, 2011

Esther F, Alsen (Ravech) Of Milton, on April 1, 2011. Beloved wife of the late Samuel H. Alsen. Devoted mother of Neil, Cheryl & Eileen Alsen & the late Lenny Alsen. Dear grandmother of Michael, Mark & Tania Cubell, Tammy LaPierre, Brian & Steven Gordon, Cherished great grandmother of Jacob & Katriel Cubell, Olivia & Brady LaPierre. Loving sister of the late Max, Abe & Oscar Ravech & Yetta Guarino. Graveside services at the Beth El Cemetery, 776 Baker St., West Roxbury, on Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 12 noon. In lieu of flowers remembrances in her memory may be made to D4ASNT Trust, 90 Craig St., Milton, MA 02186

Natalie Rosengard-of  Newton ,on March 23, 2011. Wife of Morton I. Brenner. Step mother of Elizabeth, Charles and Emily. Step grandmother of  Shane, Sophie, Miriam and Freeman. Sister of Donald Rosengard and his wife Joan. Aunt of Karen , Alan and Cynthia. Great Aunt  of  Renee, Steven, Alicia, Thomas , Daniel, Samantha, Elyssa, Owen , Sarah and their children. Services at Temple Sinai , 50 Sewall Ave. Brookline on Monday March 28, 2011 at 11:00 am. Following interment at Newton Cemetery,  memorial observance will be at her residence , 250 Hammond Pond Parkway ,(Apt. 401N) Chestnut Hill,  Monday thru Wednesday 4-8pm.In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Museum of Fine Arts , Children’s Education Program,  465 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115. “She walks in beauty,like the night,”  Lord Byron.

Jack  Wolper MD  Of Scottsdale, Az. formerly of Quincy, on March 20, 2011 at age 74, after succumbing to a long battle with Hydrocephalus. Beloved husband of Salpi Rowinsky Wolper. Devoted step father of Eric Rowinsky. Survived by brother Howard Wolper and cousin Sandy Boyd and their families. Services will be held at Temple Sinai, 25 Canton St., Sharon on Friday, March 25, 2011 at 1pm. Burial will follow at Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 5111 North Scottsdale Rd., Suite 108, Scottsdale, Az. 85250.

Tarnower-Helen “ Grandma  “at age 95,  surrounded by her loving family ,on March 22, 2011 . of  Newton,  formerly of Teaneck, NJ .Beloved wife of the late Irving  Tarnower .Devoted mother of Ann Baum  and Howie Tarnower and his wife Pam Swift  all of Newton. Beloved grandmother of   Jeff Baum and his wife Gulson Gul , Alison Hook and her husband Erik , Holly and Lydia  Tarnower  and amazing great grandmother to Sam and Amanda Hook and Zack Baum.In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Creative Arts at Park 171 Goodard Ave. Brookline, MA 02445

Harold L.CHALFIN,  Of Newton, on March 21, 2011. Beloved husband of Rose (Kramer) Chalfin. Devoted father of April Chalfin and her husband Preston Dortch of Lee MA, Mark Chalfin and his wife Beth of Long Beach CA, Beth Ravech and her husband Bruce of Needham. Cherished Pa of Jared Ravech, Lexie Ravech, Timothy Dortch, Lila Chalfin and Sadie Chalfin. Loving brother of Arlene Grusby, Barbara Ochs, Morton Chalfin and his wife Gerda and many loving nieces, nephews and friends. Services at Congregation Mishkan Tefila, 300 Hammond Pond Pkwy, Chestnut Hill on Thursday, March 24 at 10 A.M. Following the interment in Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon, the family will return to Congregtion Mishkan Tefila until 4 p.m. Memorial observance will continue at his residence on Friday 2-5 p.m., Saturday 7-9 p.m. and Sunday 12-5 p.m. Remembrances may be made to Parkinson’s Disease Assoc., 720 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118 or to American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 or the American Heart Assoc, 20 Speen St. Framingham, MA 01701.

Tarnower-Helen “ Grandma  “at age 95,  surrounded by her loving family ,on March 22, 2011 . of  Newton,  formerly of Teaneck, NJ .Beloved wife of the late Irving  Tarnower .Devoted mother of Ann Baum  and Howie Tarnower and his wife Pam Swift  all of Newton. Beloved grandmother of   Jeff Baum and his wife Gulson Gul , Alison Hook and her husband Erik , Holly and Lydia  Tarnower  and amazing great grandmother to Sam and Amanda Hook and Zack Baum.In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Creative Arts at Park 171 Goodard Ave. Brookline, MA 02445

by Bryan Marquard  Boston Globe

Brookline may now be a Democratic stronghold, the place Michael S. Dukakis began the first of many campaigns that led him to become a presidential nominee, but it was not always so. Until Sumner Kaplan came along, the town was solidly Republican.

• When Mr. Kaplan took his first step toward the State House in 1954, his victory was noted almost in passing, 15 paragraphs into a Globe roundup of election news: “For the first time in the history of Brookline, a Democrat was elected to the House of Representatives, the feat being accomplished by Sumner Kaplan.’’ Among the young reform-minded Democrats working on his campaign that fall was Dukakis.

“If it hadn’t been for Sumner, I never would have gotten actively involved in politics, and I’m not alone,’’ said Dukakis, who was elected to fill the same House seat eight years later when Mr. Kaplan ran for state Senate. “He was very much a transformative figure in state politics. And certainly for people like me and others who were touched by him and got deeply involved in his campaigns, he was everything.’’

Mr. Kaplan, who also served as a Brookline selectman, a brigadier general in the Army Reserve, and a probate and family court judge, died March 20 in Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston of complications of congestive heart failure and lymphoma. He was 91 and had moved to Jamaica Plain 11 years ago after living most of his life in Brookline.

Rent control was Mr. Kaplan’s primary focus initially, but his approach to campaigning was just as important to his election. He went door to door and straphanger to straphanger, changing one voter’s mind at a time.

“Nobody had ever done that in Brookline,’’ Dukakis recalled. “This guy shows up at 7 in the morning at every one of the T stops in town. This was so different than anything this town had ever experienced, and it was a lesson for the rest of us. He was the mentor for us younger fry who were part of his crew, and in the course of moving Brookline out of the Republican column, he was a great role model.’’

On Beacon Hill, Mr. Kaplan did not shy from taking stands that bucked the prevailing mood. In the mid-1950s, when US Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin turned the red scare into something of a national obsession, the Massachusetts House passed a bill calling for public school teachers to be fired if they refused to say if they were Communists.

In an unsuccessful attempt to get the bill reconsidered, Mr. Kaplan questioned its constitutionality and said it turned teachers into “second-class citizens.’’

When the House debated capital punishment, Mr. Kaplan told the Globe that “only the poor man goes to the electric chair, because he cannot afford an expensive lawyer

• US Representative Barney Frank, a Newton Democrat, said that because of his military background, Mr. Kaplan “was a guy who showed that patriotism and liberalism are not contradictory.’’

“He also was able to be a very forceful advocate without being nasty,’’ Frank added. “We lament the lack of civility. He was the perfect example of somebody who was passionate and civil about issues. He was the opposite of a scary figure. He was a warm, open guy who had a lot of appeal.’’

Born in Boston, Sumner Zalman Kaplan was the youngest of three children and grew up in Dorchester and Roxbury until his family moved to Brookline during his senior year at Boston Latin School, from which he graduated in 1939.

He graduated from Massachusetts State College, now the University of Massachusetts Amherst, in 1941. During World War II, he rose to colonel while serving in the Army Corps of Engineers, then served for many years in the Army Reserve.

In 1944 he married Eleanor Fisher, with whom he had been fixed up on a date when she was 15 and he was 16.

“As a young boy, his reputation was of being very mischievous,’’ said his daughter Ruth of Brookline. “I think that would be a good way to characterize him his whole life, because there was a part of him that just enjoyed mischief.’’

Mr. Kaplan graduated from Harvard Law School in 1948 and worked as a lawyer, first in a firm, then in a practice with his brother and a friend. He also served as a Town Meeting member in Brookline and was on the Board of Selectmen for a dozen years, three as chairman.

In 1983, Governor Edward J. King appointed Mr. Kaplan to the probate and family court bench, and he served for a decade as a judge, including some years on a recall basis.

A service has been held for Mr. Kaplan, who remained active in political circles into his 80s and easily connected with people decades younger, whether they be aspirants for elective office or his five grandchildren, who called him Pal. The sobriquet originated when Mr. Kaplan was spending time with his first grandchild and said, “You know, we’re pals.’’

The nickname was appropriate for all he met, among them author Doris Kearns Goodwin. Mr. Kaplan helped officiate at her 1975 marriage to author and presidential adviser Richard Goodwin, who gave an emotional Town Meeting speech of his own about rent control in the early 1950s while working with Mr. Kaplan on that contentious issue in Brookline.

“You just fall in love with the guy,’’ she said of Mr. Kaplan. “You can’t help it.’’

She called him one of the rare public officials who combined a closeness with his family with devotion to the larger worlds of politics and the judiciary.

“If he’d never been involved publicly,’’ she said, “he still would have been an extraordinary man in the eyes of those who knew him, because he exerted that kindness and warmth.’’

For years after his best friend and former law partner, Howard Katz, moved to Israel, Mr. Kaplan visited every year and called every Sunday. The two discussed everything from politics to personal lives to the biblical passages read at weekly services.

“He wasn’t a guy out of sight, out of mind; he was always in mind,’’ Katz said. “I used to say of him, ‘Sumner had a compulsion to do good.’ He didn’t just do good — he had a compulsion, and he would never do anything to hurt anybody, even when he had a reason to be angry.’’

Because of his public roles and unfailing good nature, Mr. Kaplan was an emotional and intellectual resource for generations of people he encountered.

“So many people relied on him for help and guidance and support,’’ said his daughter Marjorie of New York City. “He was probably the most optimistic, enthusiastic, positive human being I and many other people will ever know. It was all about giving. . . . He never said no.’’

“My mother told me the other day, ‘I don’t think he ever tallied it up and measured the full impact of his life,’ and she’s right, he was never keeping count,’’ Ruth said. “Nobody was.’’

Nathan Glick- of Norwood , on March 21, 2011. Beloved husband of Marilyn( Rosen) , Devoted father of Elizabeth Berkowitz and her husband Marc  and the late Samuel Walter .Adored grandfather of Benjamin and Max . Loving brother of Leatrice Dubester . Loving uncle  and greatuncle of Bonnie, Paul, Jonathan and Samantha .Brother in law of Myles Israel and the late Helen Israel. Graveside services at The Bourne National Cemetery Connery Ave.
Bourne, MA  on Thursday  March 24, 2011  at 11:15 am.Memorial observance at 20 Chapel  St. Brookline Thursday afternoon and Evening.Remembrances in his memory may be made to The American Lung Assoc.460 Totten Pond Road, Suite 400  ,Waltham, Massachusetts 02451

Macari-Donna B., age 53, of Delray Beach, Fl, on March 17, 2011. Beloved wife of the late George Macari. Adored daughter of Joan Stone and the late Reggie Gussman. Devoted sister of Michael Gussman. Dear Aunt of Danny Gussman. Graveside services at Knollwood Memorial Park, Canton on Sunday, March 20 at 12:30 pm. Remembrances may be made to a charity of your choice.

Bazoll-Beatrice of Brookline, on March 17, 2011. Loving sister of the late Sara (Henry) Gibson, Ida (Joe) Auerbach, Goldie (Irving) Geltman. Beloved aunt of Richard, Edward, Ken, Joani Geltman and Eleanor Linde and Amy Remer. Services at the Brezniak-Rodman Chapel, 1251 Washington St.(Corner of Chestnut Street) West Newton on Sunday, March 20 at 9 am. Following burial in Melrose, a memorial observance will be held at the home of Joani Geltman and Greg Graynor in Natick through 5 pm on Sunday only. Remembrances may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen Street, Framingham, MA  01701.

Speen- William of Naples, Fl, and Mashpee, MA on March 16, 2011. Loving companion for 34 years of Maraline Rane. Devoted father of Phyllis Speen and her husband Hugh Reilly, and Peter Speen and his wife Amy. Dear grandfather of Daniel Reilly, Lindsay Reilly and Rachel Speen. Loving brother of Bert Glatzer, George Speen and Robert Speen and his wife Sonia. Graveside services at Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon on Sunday, March 20 at 1:45 pm. Memorial observance will be omitted. Remembrances may be made to a charity of your choice.

Silverman-Minna (Golden) of Walpole, formerly of Newton Centre, on March 15, 2011. Devoted mother of  Gary Silverman and wife Rita

of Wilton Manors, FL, Robin Robison and husband John of Ashland and Lori Diamand and husband Seth of Wrentham. Dear

grandmother of Justin and Ariana Diamand. She also leaves her extended family members, friends and beloved cat Clio. Services will be

private. A gathering will be held in Minna’s honor for family and friends at The Proctor Mansion Inn, 36 Common St., Wrentham, MA on Sunday

March 20, 2011 from 1-4pm. Remembrances may be made to the Merwin Memorial Free Clinic For Animals, 542 Cambridge Street, Allston,

MA  02134 or to the Tippett Home, 920 South Street, Needham, MA  02492.

Elisabeth “Liz” Ebert- of  Cambridge , on March  15, 2011.Beloved Daughter of Susan and Ronald Ebert of Cambridge. Dear sister of Deborah Long and her husband Jeffery , and Rebecca  Ebert. Dear aunt of  Gabriela  and Noah .Services at Temple Israel, 477 Longwood Ave., Boston on  Thursday  March 17 , 2011 at 10:30  am.  Attendant   parking on the Riverway. Following interment at Temple Israel Cemetery, Wakefield  , memorial observance will be held at the home of  Susan and Ronald Ebert until 4:00 pm  and continuing 6- 8pm, Friday 2-4pm, Saturday 6-8pm and Sunday 1-4pm.In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to National Down Syndrome Society 666 Broadway, 8^th Floor New York , New York 10012

Elisabeth “Liz” Ebert- of  Cambridge , on March  15, 2011.Beloved Daughter of Susan and Ronald Ebert of Cambridge. Dear sister of Deborah Long and her husband Jeffery , and Rebecca  Ebert. Dear aunt of  Gabriela  and Noah .Services at Temple Israel, 477 Longwood Ave., Boston on  Thursday  March 17 , 2011 at 10:30  am.  Attendant   parking on the Riverway. Following interment at Temple Israel Cemetery, Wakefield  , memorial observance will be held at the home of  Susan and Ronald Ebert until 4:00 pm  and continuing 6- 8pm, Friday 2-4pm, Saturday 6-8pm and Sunday 1-4pm.In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to National Down Syndrome Society 666 Broadway, 8^th Floor New York , New York 10012

Hyman-Phyllis (Singer) , formerly of Needham on March 12, 2011. Beloved wife of the late Saul Hyman. Devoted mother of Marci Bloch and her husband Andy and the late Ellen H. Langer and her surviving husband Scott. Dear grandmother of Michael Langer, Jane Langer and Jillian and Lauren Bloch. Loving sister of Burton Singer. Services at Temple Beth Shalom, 670 Highland Avenue, Needham on Monday, March 14 at 10 am. Following the interment at Sharon Memorial Park, memorial observance will be at the home of Marci and Andy Bloch on Monday until 9 pm and Tuesday 6-9 pm. Remembrances may be made to a Cancer charity of your choice.

Eugene Meyers-of Cornwall, New York , on March 5, 2011,Dear son of the late Charles and Marion (Strauss) Meyers . Beloved brother of  Joyce Meyers Seigel of Boynton Beach, Fl.Graveside services at Sharon Memorial Park , Sharon on Thursday March 10, 2011  at 10:45 am.

Edith Maltzman-of  Boca  Raton, Fl, on March 9, 2011.Graveside services at Chevra Tillum Cemetery,232  Fuller St. Everett on Friday

March 11, 2011.

Sargon-Dorothy “ Dotty” of Brookline,on March 8, 2011.Beloved wife of the late  Joseph Isaac  Sargon. Devoted mother of Rosalind Sargon of Brookline, Marilyn Brier and her husband Michael of Westwood, Dinah  Gilburd  of  Boston, Joyce Udler and her husband Jerry  of Newton and the late Edward Sargon. Also survived by 8  grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Dear sister of the late Bessie Baker and Dora  Miller. Services at Congregation  Kehillath   Israel,  384  Harvard St., Brookline on Friday March 11, 2011  at 10:00 am. Following interment at  Lindwood  Memorial Park,  Randolph, memorial observance will be held at the home of Joyce and Jerry  Udler until 4:00 pm Friday , Saturday 7-9pm  and  continuing Monday thru Wednesday 2-4, 7-9pm and Thursday 10:00 -12:00 noon. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Hospice of The  Good  Shepherd,  2042 Beacon St. ,Newton ,MA  02468.

Goisman-Saul, age 92 of Brockton on March 9, 2011. Beloved husband of Rena (Nitenson). Devoted father of Jerri Goisman of Fall River and the late Barry Goisman. Brother in law of the late Sumner Nitenson. Loving brother of the late Max Goisman and Eva Hellet. Dear Grandfather of Holly Lynn, James and Rachel and great grandfather of Aidin and Evan. Graveside services at Sharon Memorial Park,Sharon on Friday, March 11 at 9:45 am. Memorial observance at his late residence through Monday. Remembrances may be made to a charity of your choice. Mr. Goisman was born in Chelsea,MA and graduated from Chelsea High School , class of 1935. He worked for the Brockton Water Department for 29 years.

Sargon-Dorothy “ Dotty” of Brookline,on March 8, 2011.Beloved wife of the late  Joseph Isaac  Sargon. Devoted mother of Rosalind Sargon of Brookline, Marilyn Brier and her husband Michael of Westwood, Dinah  Gilburd  of  Boston, Joyce Udler and her husband Jerry  of Newton and the late Edward Sargon. Also survived by 8  grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Dear sister of the late Bessie Baker and Dora  Miller. Services at Congregation  Kehillath   Israel,  384  Harvard St., Brookline on Friday March 11, 2011  at 10:00 am. Following interment at  Lindwood  Memorial Park,  Randolph, memorial observance will be held at the home of Joyce and Jerry  Udler until 4:00 pm Friday , Saturday 7-9pm  and  continuing Monday thru Wednesday 2-4, 7-9pm and Thursday 10:00 -12:00 noon. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Hospice of The  Good  Shepherd,  2042 Beacon St. ,Newton ,MA  02468.

Ruderman-Hannah (Cuciuc) of Needham on March 8, 2011. Beloved wife of the late Sidney Ruderman. Devoted mother of Gerald Ruderman and Melinda Boroson. Dear grandmother of Alexander Boroson, Emma Boroson, Zoe Ruderman. Loving sister of the late Marcel Cuciuc, Frima Marcus and Hersch Cuciuc. Services were held in NJ. Memorial observance will be at the home of Melinda Boroson on Saturday evening 6-9 pm, Sunday 3-6 pm and Monday 6-9 pm.

Traister-David A. of Chestnut Hill on March 4, 2011. Beloved husband of Ina (Sack) Traister. Devoted father of Michael L. Traister and his wife Melanie Sommer and Lawrence Traister and his wife Sondra. Dear grandfather of Hannah, Jack, Evan and Adam Traister. Loving brother of  Retired Rear Admiral Robert E. Traister and his wife Janet. Services will be private. Memorial observance will be in the Clubhouse at 77 Florence Street, Chestnut Hill from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm on Monday. Remembrances may be made to  Research Development in Waldenstrom & Prostate Cancer at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney St. Boston,MA  02115.

Adleman-William B. of Framingham, on March 1, 2011.He leaves his beloved Cynthia Ago and his siblings Merle Olsen-Storvik, George ,Nathan, Charles, Henry Adleman and the late Jason Adleman. Services will be private. Memorial observance will be at the home of George Adleman and Mona Zeftel on Sunday. Remembrances may be made to a charity of your choice.

Zief-Claire, 95, formerly of Chestnut Hill, died March 1, 2011. Her beloved husband, Eugene Zief, died in 2001.

She leaves behind two children, Ruth Silver of West Boylston, MA and Mark Zief of Los Angeles, CA; two grandchildren, Amy Silver and Scott Silver, both of New York City; three great-grandchildren, Judah Benjamin, James Gray Gaskell Gordon, and Billie Silver; two nieces, Thelma Caparell and Karen Endler; a grandniece, Jeri Barker and a grandnephew, Bruce Balter; and special friend, Lee Brezniak. She was predeceased by her four siblings, David Jacobs, Julia Cohen, Frank Jacobs, and Rose Jacobs.

She was an avid Mahjong player and worked for years in retail sales. Graveside services will be held at the Chai Odom Cemetery opposite 2676 Centre St

W Roxbury on Sunday March 6 at 11am.  Remembrances in her memory may be made to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance.

Swerling-Bruce of Weston and Naples, FL , passed  away on March 2, 2011. Beloved husband of Roberta (Davidson) Swerling. Loving father of  Dayle Swerling Burke and her husband Kyle of Natick and Diane Swerling  of  Boston. Cherished Papa of  Sydney, Ally and Andrew Burke. Dear brother of Linda  Swerling of Brookline. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Services at Temple Israel, 477 Longwood Ave., Boston on Friday March 4, 2011 at 11:00 am. Attendant  parking on the Riverway. Following interment at Linwood Cemetery, Weston, family and friends are invited to Pine Brook Country Club , Weston  until  5:00 pm Friday. Memorial observance will continue at his residence  Saturday   6:00-10:00 pm  and Sunday 2-4, 7-9pm.In lieu of flowers remembrances in Bruce’s memory may be made to Massachusetts General Hospital Prostate Cancer Research Fund, c/o Dr. Matthew Smith, Development Office, 165 Cambridge St., Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114.  

NEE, Patricia Eileen Mary Murphy, Age 85, of Holbrook

The loving mother of Patty Ann of Holbrook, Elizabeth (Bette) of West Warwick, RI, Michael and his wife Kathy of Hanson died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, February 27, 2011 at Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home.

Patsy was born in South Boston on November 24, 1925 to Ellen (Nellie) J. O’Connell, who had emigrated from Newfoundland, and to Patrick J. Murphy, who had emigrated from Ireland.

Patsy was raised and educated in South Boston.  After moving briefly to San Diego and then to Holbrook in 1954, she often returned to Southie – especially for walks on Castle Island, visits with family and for viewing the St. Patrick’s Day parades.  She was well-known for her rousing rendition of “Southie Is My Home Town”.

Pat took an active role in the interests of her children, including the welcoming of the neighborhood children to coast the Nee Hills.  She and her children enjoyed many years of summer vacations with her dear sister-in-law Dolly in Harwich. 

Pat was a Founding Member of the Brockton Mothers of Twins Club and active in the State and National Clubs.  She also was an active member of the Josepheen’s.  She was blessed with the “Irish Gift of Gab”, was a natural public speaker and didn’t hesitate to share her wit.  Pat loved to write, and she enjoyed editing the Josepheen’s cookbook and writing skits for and performing in the Josie’s annual musical variety shows. 

Inspired by President Kennedy, Pat was active in politics.  In 1964, when she ran for Selectman, the local newspaper’s February 13^th headline read “Lady to Oppose 5 Men for Selectman Post”.  She served Holbrook in various roles, including Chairman of the Town Government Study Committee, Member of the Democratic Town Committee, Member of the Finance Committee and Town Meeting Member.

After raising her three children, Pat entered the workforce.  She was a pioneer in the management of processing data, first in the private sector and later in the public sector.  She retired from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Office of Management Information Systems in 1992, and enjoyed 19 years of retirement.    

Pat loved to travel.  She crossed the United States by automobile twice. She was very proud to reach her goal of travelling to all 50 states when she visited Alaska in 1994 with her friend Lynda.

Pat also enjoyed her frequent gambling jaunts, including those with her daughter to Las Vegas and those to Foxwoods with her dear friends Helen and Bernadette.

Pat was a great lover of animals, in particular her two German shepherds, both named Pepper, and her cats Foxy, Baby and Cof-Boy.

On December 27, 2004, Pat was trapped in a horrific house fire.  A young Holbrook firefighter named James Brown rescued her to safety.  That firefighter later was honored for his heroics by Governor Romney at a Firefighter of the Year ceremony.  Thanks to the efforts of the Holbrook Fire Department and the care of Mass General’s Burn Unit, she survived.

Thanks to the kindness and the loving care of wonderful staff, Pat enjoyed the best quality of life remaining at Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home. She had a life-long love of dance and music, from her early years as a drum majorette, and she particularly enjoyed the musical activities at Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home, where she knew all the words to all the songs.

She is survived by her grandchildren Melissa, Sarah, Ashley and Michael; by her great-granddaughter Samantha; and by several nieces and nephews.

Patricia was pre-deceased by her beloved brother D. Joseph Burke and his wife Dorothy of Belmont and by her sister Helen Morrissey and her husband John of South Boston.  She also was pre-deceased by her dear friend Helen M. Huxley of Holbrook.

Services were private and she has gone home to her Baby Girl.

Harmon-Rosalind (Gibbs), of Newton on February 21, 2011. Devoted mother of Anita Marcus and her husband Richard of North Potomac, MD and Lawrence Harmon and his wife Susannah Sirkin of Roslindale. Dear grandmother of Jeremy Marcus and his wife Mia, Sara Marcus, Leah, Ana and Naomi Harmon and great grandmother of Sahara, Nathan,Eva and Lily. Services at the Brezniak-Rodman Chapel, 1251 Washington St. (Opposite Chestnut Street) West Newton on Wednesday, February 23 at 10:30 am. Memorial observance will be at the home of Lawrence Harmon and Susannah Sirkin , thursday only 2-4, 7-9 pm. Evening minyan at 7:30 pm. Remembrances may be made to Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly, 30 Wallingford Road, Brighton,MA  02135.

Bosinoff-Irving of Lexington, on February 18, 2011. Beloved husband of Roberta (Blake). Devoted father of Ellen Saltonstall and her husband Stephen of VT, and Philip  Bosinoff and his wife Debra Griffin of Ashland. Dear grandfather of Shannon Ennis and Jason Bosinoff. Great-grandfather of Courtney Ennis. Loving brother of Phillip Bosinoff, Joseph Bosinoff and Rosalie Myers. Graveside services at the Westview Cemetery, 520 Bedford St., Lexington on Sunday, February 20 at 11 am. Following the interment, family and friends are invited to the Bosinoff residence in Lexington through 9 pm on Sunday only. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Care Alternatives Hospice, 181 Cedar Hill Road, Marlborough, MA 01752.

Wiseberg-Lillian (Fredman) of Needham, formerly of Framingham on February 13, 2011. Beloved wife of the late Charles Wiseberg. Devoted mother of Beverly Wiseberg, Stanley Wiseberg and his wife Marcy. Loving sister of the late Sarah, Mae, Freddie and Nathan Fredman. Dear grandmother of Nicole and Philip Wiseberg of Fl. Graveside services at the Mishkan Tefila Memorial Park, Opposite 2604 Centre Street, West Roxbury on Wednesday, February 16 at 2:30 pm. Memorial observance will be omitted. Remembrances may be made to the Wingate Emergency Relief Fund, 63 Kendrick Street, Needham, MA  02494.

MARKS, Elizabeth (Kramer) Of Randolph on February 12, 2011. Beloved wife of the late Lester Marks. Devoted mother of Joyce Payton, Elise Bender and her husband Will and the late Steven Marks and Mickey Hankins. Dear grandmother of Russell Payton, Lee Payton, Daryl, Charlotte and Adrienne Bender and Darcy West and the late Mellissa Hankins and Joshua Marks. Great grandmother of Gage and Brandon Shampnois and Adon West. Loving sister of Samuel Kramer. Graveside services at the Tifereth Israel of Revere Cemetery, 232 Fuller St., Everett on Tues., Feb. 15, at 11 a.m. Memorial observance will be omitted. Remembrances may be made to The Clergy Discretionary Fund, c/o Temple Israel 477 Longwood Ave,Boston MA 02215.

Ann  ( Galina)  of  Quincy,  formerly of Brockton , on February 14, 2011.Beloved wife of the late Murray I. Linsky. Devoted mother of  Sandra Linsky of Quincy and Judith Linsky  of Hull. Dear sister  of Betty Swartz of Boca Raton, FL and the  late William and Hyman Galina and Rose Leeds. Friends  and Family are invited to Graveside services at The David  Vicur  Cholim  Cemetery, 776 Baker St. West Roxbury on Wednesday February 16 , 2011 at 11:00 am . For 23 years  at The New England Sinai Hospital Ann was a most devoted and faithful volunteer.In lieu of  flowers remembrances may be made The New England Sinai Hospital , Attn: Development Office , 150  York St. , Stoughton, MA 02072

SHULMAN-CORKIN- Frances (Dubinsky) Of Walpole, formerly of Chestnut Hill on February 10, 2011. Beloved wife of the late Joseph Z. Corkin. Devoted mother of Charles “Bud” Corkin and his wife Mary of Denver, CO, Donald Corkin of Quincy, Jane Corkin of Toronto, Canada, and Patricia “Sparky” Kennedy and her husband Jake of Scituate. Dear mother-in-law of Suzanne Corkin of Charlestown. Dear grandmother of Zachary and Nicole Corkin, Jocelyn Corkin and Peter Mortimer, Damon and Angela Corkin, Elyse Jane Kennedy, Zachary Kennedy, Dean Kennedy, Chippy Kennedy, Jake and Averill Corkin. Great grandmother of Trey, Colette, Wesley Donald, Olivia, and Pia. Loving companion of Dr. Jack Gould of Walpole formerly of Sharon. Loving sister of Edythe Tobins and Charlotte Chiten. Services at Temple Sinai, 25 Canton St., Sharon, Sunday, February 13 at 2 p.m. Memorial observance will be at the Kennedy residence, 84 Townsend Rd., Scituate on Sunday only. Remembrances may be made to National Alzheimer’s Association , P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp

BORSON,-Jacob Gregory of Needham, at age 17, on Thursday, February 10, 2011. Beloved son of Gena(Metsopulos) and Bill and dear twin brother of Zack Borson.

Services will be held at Temple Beth Shalom, 670 Highland Ave, Needham on Sunday February 13, 2011 at 12:30 pm.  Following interment at Baker St. West Roxbury, the Borson family will be receiving visitors as they begin their shiva period back at Temple Beth Shalom through 9:00 pm Sunday. They will continue their shiva period at their home at 153 Elmwood Road in Needham from 3:00 -5:00 pm and 7:00-9:00 pm Monday Feb 14 thru Thursday Feb 17. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Red Sox Foundation for The Dimock Center in Roxbury, where Jake volunteered to help those in Need.

The address for The Red Sox Foundation is
4 Yawkey Way, Boston ,MA 02215 or donations can be made online at

A talented, compassionate and engaging young man, Jake was a member of the Needham High baseball team and an avid snowboarder.  He loved music, played guitar and piano, and participated in the Plugged-In music program.  He generously donated many hours of community service throughout his short life, including volunteering at Dimock, helping at-risk and low-income youngsters and wounded veterans through the Red Sox Foundation, raising funds for surviving families of  9/11, and most recently working with the disabled at the Charles River ARC.

Jacob is remembered with deep and abiding love by his grandparents, Rosalie Metsopulos and Fred Borson and his wife Janet and his uncles and aunts Bob and Beth Borson, Rick and Carol Borson, Suzy and Jeff Yucht, Sue Stahl and Frank Metsopulos and 12 cherished cousins, as well as the Needham community and many friends across the country.

Berkowitz-Irving “Isaac” H. of Needham, on February 8, 2011. Loving brother of Ethel Tobin, Ralph Berkowitz and Albert Berkowitz. Friend of the late John McGrath. Loving uncle,Grand Uncle of several nieces,nephews,grand nieces and grand nephews. Services at Temple Sinai, 25 Canton Street, Sharon on Wednesday, February 9 at 1:30 pm. Following the burial at Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon memorial observance will be at the Clubhouse of Nahanton Woods, 210 Nahanton St. Newton on Wednesday until 8 pm and Thursday 2-5, 7-9 pm. Rememrances may be made to Cops For Kids with Cancer, P.O. Box 850956, Braintree, MA  02185.

Berkowitz-Irving “Isaac” H. of Needham, on February 8, 2011. Loving brother of Ethel Tobin, Ralph Berkowitz and Albert Berkowitz. Friend of the late John McGrath. Loving uncle,Grand Uncle of several nieces,nephews,grand nieces and grand nephews. Services at Temple Sinai, 25 Canton Street, Sharon on Wednesday, February 9 at 1:30 pm. Following the burial at Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon memorial observance will be at the Clubhouse of Nahanton Woods, 210 Nahanton St. Newton on Wednesday until 8 pm and Thursday 2-5, 7-9 pm. Rememrances may be made to Cops For Kids with Cancer, P.O. Box 850956, Braintree, MA  02185.

Benjamin Slavin- age  29 of Chestnut  Hill , on February  4, 2011. Beloved son of Dr. Sumner Slavin  and the late Sharon ( Garey) Slavin. Devoted brother of  Sara and Jessie Slavin. He is  survived by his devoted  girlfriend Margo Rogers. Dear nephew of  Marilyn Spodick and her husband Howard. Services at Congregation Mishkan Tefila  , 300 Hammond Pond Parkway , Chestnut Hill on Monday February 7, 2011 at  2:00 pm . Following  interment at Baker St. Cemetery  Shiva will be held at his residence 86 Shaw Rd. Chestnut Hill ( South Brookline) Thru Friday 3:00 pm.In Lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to The Benjamin Slavin  Scholarship  c/o  American-Israeli Plastic Surgery  Fellowship , 1101 Beacon St. ( Suite 7  East)  Brookline, MA 02446  or New England Chassidic Center 1710 Beacon St., Brookline, MA 02445

Bahm-Florence ( Landay) of Randolph on February 4, 2011. Beloved wife of Abraham Bahm. Devoted mother of Ellen Jacobs and her husband Stanley, Dianne Dorsky and her husband Robert and David Bahm. Grandmother of Seven grandchildren and one Great-Grandchild. Services at Temple Beth Am, 871 North Main St. Randolph on Sunday, February 6 at 10:00 am. Following interment at Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon, family and friends are invited to return to Temple Beth Am. Memorial observance will continue at 21 Glen Lane, Randolph 7-9 pm on Sunday, Monday through Thursday 1-4, 7-9 pm and Friday 1-4pm. Remembrances may be made to Temple Beth Am, Randolph.

Bernfeld-Michele of Needham, formerly of Watertown on January 28, 2011. Dear daughter of Helen (Kroch) and the late Peter H.W. Bernfeld. Loving sister of Mark Bernfeld and his wife Linda of Natick. Loving aunt of Rachel Ann and Daniel George Bernfeld. Graveside services at the Framingham-Natick Hebrew Cemetery, Fairview Ave. Natick on Tuesday, February 1 at 10:00 am. Memorial observance will be private. Remembrances may be made to a charity of your choice.

Danis-Adele (Shriber), devoted grandmother, mother, and wife passed away on January 26, 2011, at Hospice of the Valley, near her home in Chandler, Arizona, after a brief illness.  Formerly of Newton, Massachusetts, and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Adele leaves behind her beloved children Jeffrey, Alison, and Leslie Danis, and her two grandchildren, Zachary and Abigail Danis. Her husband of over fifty years, Joseph H. Danis, predeceased her on December 22, 2005.

Active in a number of volunteer organizations, Adele served as a lieutenant in the Medical Unit of the Massachusetts Women’s Defense Corps during WWII and was a long-time member of Hadassah. In recent years, she became an ardent supporter of animal rights groups and natural resources conservation efforts.

 Adele attended the Massachusetts School of Art and Vesper George School of Art. She continued to paint, oils on canvas, well into her 80s. She was a lover of museums and an earnest student of Japanese Flower arranging.  Confined to a wheelchair for almost a decade, Adele faced each day with courage and resolve. She remained feisty and independent to the end.

 She will be missed.

Remembrances may be made to Habitat for Humanity, The National Wildlife Federation, the Natural Resources Defense Council, or to your local Humane Society.

Sherman-Marshall H. of Daytona Beach,FL, formerly of Marblehead, MA on January 23, 2011. Dear son of the late David and Gertrude Sherman. Loving brother of Lucille Sherman and Eileen Morse and the late Richard Sherman. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Graveside services at the Kehillath Jacob Cemetery, 776 Baker St. West Roxbury on Friday, January 28 at 1:00 pm. Remembrances may be made to a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Brezniak-Rodman Funeral Directors, Newton,MA.

Podell-Ronna L. “Ronnie” (Cohen) of Boynton Beach, FL, formerly of Randolph, on January 21, 2011. Devoted mother of Gene Podell, Amy Chapin and her husband Jesse and Jonathan Podell and his fiancee Natasha Burton. Adored “Nanny” of Jason and David Chapin. Devoted and cherised partner of Robert G. Williams.  Loving sister of the late June Raisman and her husband Leonard. Beloved aunt of Teri Resnick, Melissa Gemelli, Allyson Orell. Cherised great aunt to many grandnieces and grandnephews. Adored cousin of Stewart, Marie, Allison and Betsy Cohen and many other cousins who Ronna loved dearly.  Devoted lifelong friend to Joanne Mercadante,  Lee Kruskall, Shelley Lazarus, Barbara Schwartz and Myrna Katz.  Ronna was an inspiration to us all… She lived life exactly the way we all should — to the fullest.  Services at Temple Beth Abraham, 1301 Washington Street, Canton, on Tuesday, January 25 at 1:00 p.m. Memorial observance will be at the home of Amy and Jesse Chapin,30 Kings Rd. Canton through Wednesday evening. Remembrances may be made to Susan G. Komen For the Cure, P.O. Box 415756, Boston, MA 02241.

Podell-Ronna L. “Ronnie” (Cohen) of Boynton Beach, FL, formerly of Randolph, on January 21, 2011. Devoted mother of Gene Podell, Amy Chapin and her husband Jesse and Jonathan Podell and his fiancee Natasha Burton. Adored “Nanny” of Jason and David Chapin. Devoted and cherised partner of Robert G. Williams.  Loving sister of the late June Raisman and her husband Leonard. Beloved aunt of Teri Resnick, Melissa Gemelli, Allyson Orell. Cherised great aunt to many grandnieces and grandnephews. Adored cousin of Stewart, Marie, Allison and Betsy Cohen and many other cousins who Ronna loved dearly.  Devoted lifelong friend to Joanne Mercadante,  Lee Kruskall, Shelley Lazarus, Barbara Schwartz and Myrna Katz.  Ronna was an inspiration to us all… She lived life exactly the way we all should — to the fullest.  Services at Temple Beth Abraham, 1301 Washington Street, Canton, on Tuesday, January 25 at 1:00 p.m. Memorial observance will be at the home of Amy and Jesse Chapin,30 Kings Rd. Canton through Wednesday evening. Remembrances may be made to Susan G. Komen For the Cure, P.O. Box 415756, Boston, MA 02241.

Halpern-Fran , age 91,  of  Brookline on January 21, 2011.Beloved wife of Jack Halpern . Devoted mother of Bonnie Halpern of  New York City.Dear sister in law of Betty Winer and devoted aunt to Stacey Winer.
Fran was The Brookline Town Clerk for nine years, she was active in State and Local Democratic politics, a member of Town meeting for ten years and Treasurer of The Brookline Democratic Committee for several years.
Services will be at Temple Sinai , 50  Sewall Avenue. Brookline on Tuesday January 25 at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at Sharon Memorial Park. A reception will take place at the home of  Paula and  Bradley  Stone, 163 Brighton St. Belmont 
from 4:00 to 8:00 pm Tuesday only. .In lieu of flowers remembrances in her memory  may be made to Alzhiemer’s Association 311 Arsenal St. Watertown,MA  02472 or a charity of your choice

Nicholay Pastein-Of  Boston on January 21, 2011. Beloved husband of  the late Nelly ( Greenstein) Devoted father of Alex and his wife Patricia .

Dear grandfather of Masha and Sonia and her husband Daniel .Services at Temple Beth Am  871  No. Main St. Randolph on Sunday January 23, 2011 at 9:00 am.

Bertha  Gaffer- Of  Randolph , on January 19, 2011. Beloved wife of  the late Samuel Gaffer , Devoted mother of Ellen Brown of Dallas, TX and Elliot  Gaffer and his wife of Beth of  North Carolina. Dear grandmother of Jennifer Brown and Mark Brown , Samantha , Scott and Seth Gaffer. Graveside services at Sharon Memorial Park ( Opposite 41 Dedham St. ) Sharon on Sunday January 23, 2011 at 10:45 am. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to American Heart Association 20 Speen St. Framingham, MA 01701.

Freed-Samuel, of Weston, formerly of Newton on January 20, 2011. Beloved husband of the late Martha (Shapiro) Freed. Devoted father of David Freed and his wife Arlene, and Alan Freed and his wife Roberta. Dear grandfather of Andrew and his wife Meredith, Benjamin, Michael and his fiance Kate Lussier and Matthew and his wife Christina and great-grandfather of Ryan. Loving brother of Aleck Freed and the late Mollie Liberman, Sophie Levine and Leon Freed. Graveside services at Sharon Memorial Park,Sharon on Sunday, January 23 at 11:45 am. Memorial observance will be at the home of Alan and Roberta Freed onSunday until 9 pm and Monday 2-5, 7-9 pm. In Lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to a charity of your choice.

Fisher- Rowena of  Newton, on January 17, 2011. Beloved wife of the late Dr. H. Bernard “Bud” Fisher . Devoted mother of  Nancy J. Fisher , Susan J. Fisher and the late Eric J. Fisher. Private Graveside services were held