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Mara Bershad Obituary

BERSHAD MARA BERSHAD On Wednesday May 26, 2010, Mara Bershad of Chevy Chase, Md., beloved mother of Sabrina, Audra, and Mirit Bershad-Shapiro. Also survived by brother, Blaine, sister Kara, and niece Elise and a host of other friends and relatives. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 28, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. at Adas Israel Synagogue, 2850 Quebec Street NW, Washington, DC. The family will be observing Shiva on Saturday, May 29 at 9 p.m. and on Sunday May 30 at 7:30 p.m., at the home of Roberta and Doug Colton, 4209 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. Contributions to fund a pre-school music education program in her memory may be sent to: Director of Development, CentroNia, 1420 Columbia Road, NW, Washington, DC 20009.

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Published by The Washington Post from May 27 to May 28, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Mara Bershad

Sponsored by A Friend of Mara.

20 Entries

judy (barrington) rowe

November 19, 2013

i knew mara going back to elementary school. my memory of mara was her love of music and how impressive that she learned to play the harpsicord. i can still see the house where she grew up and still remember her parents. she was a special woman.

October 8, 2012

A friend remembers ...

Barbara Leiter

July 30, 2010

Audra, Mirit and Sabrina:
David and I were very sad to learn about your mother's passing. She was a unique person with a beautiful spirit. It was a pleasure being in her presence.

Beth and Jordan Leiter

July 22, 2010

Audra, Mirit and Sabrina:
Jordan and I were very sad to hear about your Mom. We enjoyed spending time with you and her at Larry's birthday party and at Peter's wedding. She was a vibrant spirit, and that lives on in all of you.

Eva Szalay

July 5, 2010

Dear Sabrina, Audra and Mirit, I was truly devastated reading about your mother's passing. I will always cherish the wonderful years at CCCC with you, Sabrina and Audra, in my ballet productions and Mara's strong support behind the scenes. What a strong compassionate and warm person she was! Eva Szalay (cccc).

Kathy Antos

June 8, 2010

Mirit, Sabrina and Audra it with great sadness I heard about your mothers' passing. Talking with her at Shriners in Chicago during Mirit's visits you new she has a great soul and much wisdom. Your mother had a great since of humor for the things in the hosptial even after Mirit broke her arm. May the memories of your mother comfort you in this time of sadness. You are in my prayers. Kathy Antos PICU nurse.

Jeanne Calderon

May 31, 2010

Sabrina, Audra and Mirit- I was a colleague of your mother at the Levine School. She was such a talented, upbeat and passionate person. When we spoke occasionally over the past few years the discussion always went to our kids. We would fill each other in on what you all were doing and how you were growing and maturing. You were the light of her life and she loved you deeply. My sincere condolences on your loss. May God grant you peace and comfort in your time of mourning. Jeanne Calderon

Martha Hunt-Mejia

May 30, 2010

Dear Mirit, Audra & Sabrina,

I only knew your mother for a few years but we bonded and developed a friendship over dog walking, coping with health problems and the struggles of raising teenagers. I will always remember our early morning dog walks--after our girls had left on their buses. She would walk and talk with me for only a few blocks before she took off running. I always wanted to follow but could never keep up. Ironically, as neighbors in Chevy Chase, we realized that we had grown up 5 minutes from each other and attended rival high school outside of Chicago (Highland Park and Deerfield). I will never forget her vibrant and unique sense of style, her fighting spirit and determination.

Sabrina and Audra, your mother always updated me on what each of you was doing--she was proud of you both--I remember her running out the door to attend a fencing match or drive to NY. She would be touched and proud by how her 3 girls have stuck together and suppported each other. Dearest Mirit, I have had the chance to get to know you. Please know that your mother and I talked about you a great deal. She loved you deeply and worried that she had not done enough to help you grow up happy and strong. She would be so proud if she could see the lovely lady you have become. All she wanted for the 3 of you was to live peeacefully and happily, find love and follow your passions to find you place in the world. We love you all and, as we said on Wednesday, our door is always open. Our love and prayers are with you, Martha & Phoebe

Amy Cohn

May 29, 2010

Dear Sabrina, Audra, and Mirit,
Joel, Jeremy, Leah, and I were shocked to hear of your mom's passing. We have so many wonderful memories of Maura, but one that stands out is the way she welcomed us into your home and shared her true love of passover with us. Her enthusiasm for love and music was truly contagious. We never had a conversation with Maura without her mentioning her girls. We miss her already and our prayers are with you during this difficult time. We hope the love she had for you girls gives you comfort.

sally mennel

May 28, 2010

I've never know someone like Mara - so talented, strong, committed, willing to give and embrace, a bottle of energy, small in stature but huge in heart, fantastic teacher of not only kids but their parents and me!!

It's hard to think that her "special light" is gone. And while it is gone from this earth, a whole bunch of people (me included) will carry it forever.
Sabrina, Audra and Mirit: You are all wonderful young ladies and I know will carry your mom's "spunk"! Please know you will always have a home at Levine and me!
Sally Mennel

Lily Starr

May 28, 2010

Dear Sabrina, Audra and Mirit,

It was with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of your dear mother. She was a radiant soul who gave my daughter the gift of music and gave me the gift of her wisdom and kindness. We were most blessed to have had her as a teacher and a friend.

Jane Loos

May 28, 2010

Dear Sabrina, Audra and Mirit,

Your mother was a wonderful friend to me. I will miss her optimism and caring for what happens in this world. I know her memory will be a blessing for me.

In that tiny body was packed a huge amount of talent, energy and capacity to love. A million things happening simultaneously with you all and with her work and home, but always time to find the fun in almost any situation.

Shared sadness now and for a long time to come, but also best wishes for the bright promising futures that Mara tried to help you build.

Sincerely,

May 28, 2010

"Je suis si triste d'apprendre le deces de Mara. Qui etait une femme formidable et merveilleuse. Talentueuse et plain d'energie. Mara was a wonderful , woman full of life and I will miss her so much. May God give strenth to her family"
Corinne Turner

Ming Hsieh

May 28, 2010

It was an honor to have known Mara. Her dedication, energy, creativity, and humor will be greatly missed.

Rebecca Sparrow

May 27, 2010

Dear Sabrina, Audra, and Mirit, You know how much your mother loved each of you:) She brought excitement & joy into our music classrooms with her dance instruction. Truly a passionate, hard-working artist! Before my sister died of cancer, she wrote me a note with a Bible verse to remind me that "nothing can separate us from God's love." Romans 8:38-39 I hope that truth will comfort you for days to come.

Dear (other) family of Mara:
She enriched my life and will be missed. Blessings upon each of you during your time of grief.

Rabbi Arnold Saltzman

May 27, 2010

Mara's passing is a terrible loss. Mara was a remarkable, energetic, and creative person. She gave us all so much hope and inspiration through her life, her family, and her music. I remember the wonderful concert she played on her magnificent harpsichord - elegant and regal. She elevated us spiritually in her selections, her artistry, and she brought joy to her playing. She found an appreciative audience in the families of JPDS, and her friends at Adas Israel. Carol remembers her fondly from Highland Park, Illinois. We were shocked to learn of Mara's death, and send our love and condolences to her beloved family. Mara made our world more beautiful. May her memory continue to inspire us, and may God comfort you, her family and friends, at this difficult time.
Rabbi Arnold Saltzman

May 27, 2010

Peace to you. Peace to your family.

Mara, Spring 2008

Kaja Weeks

May 27, 2010

Sabrina, Audra, and Mirit, your names had a permanent residence on the lips of your mother, as time and time again she reflected to us, opening countless sentences with “the girls ...” or your individual names – about your lives, hopes, challenges, accomplishments, about the rich journeys of your hearts and minds. You will always have an endless well of pride and love to draw from there.

I have always been amazed by Mara’s artistry and aesthetics as a musician – her gorgeous harpsichord performances; her ability to fuse color and movement by shaping her mesmerizing, lithe dancing body in the air; by her culinary finesse (and appreciation!); by her devotion to friends; her knowledge and intuition that captivated young children and planted the seeds of music forever; by the boundless love she had for her girls to the end.

“Sun and moon ... and all you shining stars” – may they sing forever with Mara’s beauty; may they bless her children always.

Monica Dale

May 27, 2010

Mara always seemed like a huge bundle of energy packed into an impossibly tiny body! I knew her to be always warm and positive, joyous and spirited -- and totally her own person, with her own style (I was always in awe of her spiky hair and stylish glasses!). She made a statement just by being her Self. It was a statement of strength, artistry, smarts, creativity, and passion. May we all learn from her.

Caron Dale

May 27, 2010

What an exuberant and warm person Mara was. She embodied joy, hope and perseverance. It was an honor and pleasure to have known her. May her memory be for a blessing.

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