WALD, Stephen Of Brookline, MA, long-time resident of Wellesley, MA, passed away on November 18, 2023 surrounded by his family. He was 70 years old. Stephen was born on September 3, 1953 in Rochester, NY, and was raised in Great Neck, NY, by his parents, the late Charles Wald, and his mother Rhoada Wald of Brookline, MA, alongside his two sisters, Marian and Beth. Stephen met the love of his life, Anne McDonough, at Vassar College where they graduated in 1976. Stephen and Anne married in 1984 and recently celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary. They have three children, Megan Wald Smith (and her husband, Joseph), Jonathan Wald and Michael Wald. They have a grandson, Killian Jack Smith, 2 years old. Stephen was a highly respected and talented lawyer. He received his J.D. cum laude from Boston College Law School in 1982 and thereafter clerked in the NY trial court before joining the law firm Craig and Macauley in 1984 where he quickly became Partner. Stephen was a prodigious litigator, trying cases in courtrooms all over the country for decades. He completed his career as Partner at the national law firm of Robins Kaplan, retiring in 2021. Stephen and Anne enjoyed their retirement in Becket, MA, where they relished the beauty of the Berkshires. Stephen loved to cook, frequently spending the afternoon planning dinner for his family. He was a voracious and eclectic reader– often found sitting in a chair, in the sun, with a spy thriller. He loved skiing, tennis, and sailing. He loved knowledge, and never stopped learning. He loved conversation and debate. He loved watching sports with his sons. He loved the Bruins. He loved his family most of all, finding his greatest happiness playing with his grandson Killian. Please join family and friends to honor and celebrate Stephen at Levine Chapels, 470 Harvard St., Brookline at 10:30 am on Monday, November 27, 2023. Private family Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Wellesley. In honor of Stephen, gifts may be made online to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to support cancer research, www.dana-farber.org/gift or to Good Shepherd Community Care, www.gscommunitycare.org/Donate which delivers patient care at end of life. Levine Chapels - Brookline (617) 277-8300 www.levinechapels.com

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Published by Boston Globe from Nov. 21 to Nov. 22, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for STEPHEN WALD

8 Entries

Pat O'Malley

February 19, 2024

Anne, Claudia and I only learned of the news of Steve's passing today. We are both very saddened by the news and are thinking of you and your family. I've always told others that Steve and my friendship was what higher education was all about - bringing together a kid from Nebraska and a kid from New York who became great friends. I've thought fondly about you and Steve frequently over the years. Please accept our condolences for your loss and our warmest wishes for your future.

Ameli Padron- Fragetta and Bill Fragetta

February 19, 2024

Anne and family, my husband Billand I just learned of Steve's passing by reading the BC Law Journal notice. Bill and I loved Steve, his sense of humor, his kindness and his passion to do and advocate for the right thing and the best he could in everything that mattered. He added levity to the intensity of law school and its demands and made friends of all of us with his kind nature. You, Anne, were his perfect mate. We could tell from the way you looked at each other and the way you seemed to communicate without words. You were so blessed to have each other and to have a wonderful family to love. Though we did not see Steve at reunions in later years, he was always one classmate we asked about and wished we could see again. May your family and you be comforted by your fond memories of the good times and love you shared with him.

Sherry Nemmers (Vassar '76)

January 16, 2024

We are so sorry for the loss of our cherished Vassar classmate. A highly respected litigator with so many talents, Stephen was always such a bright and shining Vassar star. What a truly remarkable person. Our hearts go out to Anne and all their wonderful family. In sympathy, the Vassar Class of '76

Cindi Shapiro

November 27, 2023

I am a very good friend of Marian's and have heard about Stephen for many years. I wish to express my sympathies to the entire family. It's so hard to lose someone you love.

Bunnie Rizzo

November 26, 2023

So sorry for your loss Anne...sending thoughts and prayers as you remember and celebrate a wonderful life.

Bunnie Rizzo GLS72

David Gilden

November 22, 2023

Condolences to the Wald family from me and on behalf of the partners at Partridge Snow & Hahn. I had the pleasure of convincing Steve to join the firm several years ago. He was such a good guy, and a superb lawyer, one of the best I´ve ever known. He was such a great family man, and we would spend hours comparing notes about our families sitting in his office. I also spent hours listening to him complain about all things technology. He almost arm wrestled me to use One Note- that was a particular love of his that I quickly learned to love as well. We sometimes spoke different languages, as he was a litigator, and I am a transactional attorney. But when we started talking about his kids and his wife, we were speaking the same language. He was truly a gentleman and a scholar.

Sheryl Reilly

November 22, 2023

He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. I will remember him fondly- always. My sincere sympathies to his family and dear friends.

Sherry Leventhal

November 22, 2023

Anne and family: Alan and I are so sorry for your loss. Stephen was one of the best and smartest lawyers that I ever knew. He was the idol of our neighborhood, having gone to war for us and winning twice! He also had a wonderful sense of humor. May his memory be a blessing for years to come.

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