Raynor ( Bornstein) Caplan

Raynor Doris Caplan

1930-2024

Raynor Doris Caplan (Bornstein), age 93, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2024. Beloved wife of 72 years of childhood sweetheart Hubert Caplan; loving mother of Susan Caplan and husband Michael Kazenel of Canton, Jeanne Val and husband Luc Bernard Val of Milton, and Donna Caplan of Kauai. Loving grandmother of Kala Hagopian; Melanie Kazenel and Robert Buskirk-Lechner, Jessie Kazenel and Christopher Kaaria, and Daniel Kazenel; and Benjamin and Jeremy Val; great grandmother of Kai Williams.  She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Samuel and Anne Bornstein, sister Lillian Katz, and brother Merton Lamden.

Valedictorian of Winthrop High Class of 1948, Ray attended Wellesley College, where she graduated in 1952 with Bachelor of Arts in Zoology and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society. She researched the thyroid, co-publishing a paper in Endocrinology with W. P. Vanderlaan.  Ray devoted her life to raising her children and grandchildren; later working in the medical office of her husband, Hu.

 Ray will be remembered as a nurturing, kind, humble mother, wife, grandmother, and friend.  She took care of everyone. Her kindness and affection were all encompassing. She was intelligent and had a quiet sense of humor and was dedicated to reading and to life-long learning.

Ray was passionate about nature and music.  She shared and instilled her passion for nature to her children and grandchildren – birds, plants, flowers, trees, and appreciating nature and the earth. Her musical passion started with playing piano, singing folk music, and then attending opera and orchestra performances.  She created a family tradition of singing with folk songs and lullabies.

Ray was buried at her beloved retreat in Harrison, Maine on June 19th.  A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 23rd at 1:30pm at Temple Ohabei Shalom, 1187 Beacon St, Brookline, MA. Donations in Ray’s memory may be made to the Lakes Environmental Association Caplan Family Education Fund or to the Friends of Wellesley College Botanic Gardens.