Lee Cherlin Green

Lee Cherlin Green, 88, died peacefully on Friday, September 10, 2010, at Danbury Hospital, due to complications following a short hospital stay. Lee was born on September 21, 1921, in Brooklyn, NY to Isadore and Sima (Schilder) Cherlin, grew up in Williamsburg and lived with her maternal grandparents, Ben Zion and Rachel Schilder, who raised her after both her parents died very early in her life. She later lived with her aunt Esther Margulies and her husband Sam in Sunnyside. Although it was not an easy childhood, she often mentioned with fondness her young life in Brooklyn and Queens, a memory she treasured. After graduating at the top of her class from Bryant High School in 1937, at only age 16, Lee continued her education by taking courses at City College and graduating from a secretarial school. Because of her love of art and music she and her girlfriends often traveled the long trek from Brooklyn to Manhattan to see and hear artists of her day. She sometimes spoke about being thrilled to see a very young Frank Sinatra perform in the city. On November 13, 1941 Lee married Melvin Green from Pittsburgh, PA following a whirlwind romance in the Poconos. After becoming married, Lee went to live for a short time in Pittsburgh while Melvin went off to serve in WW II as an Army Air Corps supply sergeant, stationed in Africa. In 1942, Lee returned to NY and began secretarial work for MacMillan Clemens, an inventor and manufacturer of Army munitions boxes, and who later went on to create numerous other inventions for the war effort. After WWII, Lee and her returning husband Melvin, were instrumental in starting the Clemens Panel Company, and produced the first insulated, lightweight, and totally modular panels used for both military and commercial building construction projects. They lived for a short while in Southport CT and then relocated to Danbury. Lee made this community her home for the next 60 years. When her husband opened a juvenile furniture and toy store (The Play Pen) on Main Street, in Danbury, Lee was right there helping establish the business. Lee later worked in the Danbury Public School system as a secretary, and then later in the insurance industry for 30 years, the majority of this time spent at John Hyatt Associates. While working, Lee always remained a volunteer in the community. She was active in the United Jewish Center Sisterhood, Hadassah, the National Council of Jewish Women, and was also an active member of the Insurance Woman of Greater Danbury. After her recent 'retirement', she became involved in the Friday morning discussion group at the United Jewish Center led by Barbara Weisblatt. She was always well prepared and brought new topics and articles weekly. She was active in the Jewish Book Club at the Jewish Federation of Greater Danbury. Lee was always willing to drive her friends to the doctor, or the grocery store, or offer assistance whenever someone needed help. One of her strongest beliefs was that she should have food available to offer anyone who stopped by and her freezer was testimony to that. Lee was an avid baker and especially loved celebrating holidays with her family. Many of her friends will also remember the crocheted and knitted scarves she loved to make and give away. Surviving Lee are her children and their spouses, Bruce Green of Brookfield, Tracey Cleary and her husband, Edward of New Haven and Lisi Marcus and her husband, Neil of Redding. She leaves behind six grandchildren, Matthew Green and his wife, Julie of Framingham, MA; Benjamin Green of Lock Haven, Pa.; Sarah Cleary and David Cleary of New Haven, and Evan Marcus and Brandon Marcus of Redding. There are two great grandchildren, Alexa and Gabriel Green also of Framingham, Mass. Lee is also survived by another close member of the family, a niece, Sheri Margulies-Semel of Las Cruces, New Mexico and step grand-children Abby Marcus and her family of Brooklyn, NY and Timothy Marcus of San Francisco, CA. She was predeceased by her husband Melvin, who died on January 31, 1972. Funeral services will take place on Sunday (today) at 3 p.m. in the United Jewish Center, 141 Deer Hill Avenue, Danbury. Burial to follow at the United Jewish Center Cemetery, Miry Brook Road, Danbury. Shiva will be observed at the home of Lisi and Neil Marcus, 209 Lonetown Road, Redding on Sunday and Monday evening at 7 p.m. On Tuesday evening, Shiva will be at the home of Tracey Cleary, 200 Lakeview Terrace, New Haven. Contributions in Lee's honor and memory may be made to the United Jewish Center, 141 Deer Hill Avenue, Danbury 06810 and the Danbury Hospital Development Fund, 24 Hospital Ave., Danbury 06810. Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home, 9-11 Granville Ave., Danbury is in charge of arrangements. www.jowdykane.com.