Sylvia J. Riese

Sylvia J. Riese of Watertown, MA, was born on August 24, 1924 in New York, NY, and passed away on May 24, 2013 in Newton, MA.  She was preceded in death by her husband I. Leo Riese.  She is survived by her children, Deborah Riese Litvin and her husband Joel Litvin of Newton, MA;  Mitchell A. Riese of Seattle, WA; and David R. Riese and his wife Eva Bak of Windham, NH, as well as her grandchildren, Sam Litvin, Sarah Litvin, Madeline Riese, and Jacob Riese. As an administrator, she devoted many years to synagogues in Greater Boston, and then moved to Academia to serve the Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University, from which she retired.  A graduate of the High School of Music and Art and Hunter College in New York City, she was a lifelong lover of French, music and art.  Gifted in languages, she was a passionate reader and opera-lover. With awe-inspiring organizational skills and a “steel-trap memory” that astounded her family, she lived an independent life to the end.

Services at Temple Sinai, (25 Canton St., Sharon, MA), on Monday, May 27, at 1:00 pm.  Following interment at Sharon Memorial Park (120 Canton St., Sharon, MA), memorial observance will be at Mrs. Riese’s residence, 7 – 9 pm and will continue May 28, 3 – 8 pm at the home of David Riese and Eva Bak, and at the home of Deborah and Joel Litvin on May 29, 3–9 pm.  Donations in memory of Sylvia J. Riese may be made to the Boston Symphony Orchestra or the charity of your choice.