Sophia Sheftel

Sophia (Hurwitz) Sheftel, 98, of 9 Maxdale Rd., died at her residence on Saturday, September 20th.

Sophia H. Sheftel was born March 28, 1910 in Worcester. She was the daughter of the late Louis and Anna (Ulman) Hurwitz. She graduated from Classical High School in 1928 and from Post Worcester Business Institute, now Becker College. She married her high school sweetheart Milton S. Sheftel in 1934, and they were very deeply in love until his passing in 1996.

She is survived by a son, Lawrence E. Sheftel and his wife Zahava of Newton; a daughter, Nancy E. Sheftel-Gomes of San Francisco and her husband August Leonardo Gomes; a brother, Sol Hurwitz of Palm Beach, Florida, five grandchildren; Rachel Dayanim, Malka Engel, Joseph Sheftel, Aumijo Sheftel-Gomes and Nasoan Sheftel-Gomes and six great grandchildren. She had two wonderful caregivers, Maureen Walsh and Kathy Crowley.

She was predeceased by four other brothers and sisters; Dorothy Berlyn, Maurice Hurwitz, Ethel Goldstein and Julia Poliakin. Her many nephews and nieces had always turned to Aunt Sophie for support and advice.

During high school, college and in the early years of her marriage, Sophia worked as a secretary and bookkeeper at the Standard Acceptance Company. In 1948 she and husband Milton founded Reed Plastics Corporation (now Clariant Corporation). She was its original bookkeeper and Treasurer.

Temple Emanuel and the Jewish Healthcare Center were major forces in her life. She was very active in the Temple's Adult Education program. Sophia was a long time director of Temple Emanuel's Braille Institute. She and her husband were also active nationally in the Reform Jewish Movement often attending national conventions. Sophia took leadership roles at the Ladies Auxiliary of the Jewish Health Care Center.

Sophia supported Clark University, her husband's alma mater. Together they were members of the Jonas Clark Fellows. She also was a principal benefactor of the Holocaust Library of Clark University.

She was also active in Hadassah, the National Council of Jewish Women and the Women's Division of the Worcester Jewish Federation.

Sophia was an accomplished seamstress and knitter as well as a creative cook and baker. Her challahs graced the tables of many family events.

Funeral Services will be held at 1 PM on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 in Perlman Funeral Home, 1026 Main St. Burial will be in B'Nai Brith Cemetery.

Memorial Observance will be held through Sunday Morning, September 28th at her residence at 9 Maxdale Rd.

Please omit flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.