Gloria P. Zeman

NEW BEDFORD — Mrs. Gloria P. Zeman, 88, of New Bedford, passed away Saturday, September 19, 2009. She was the wife of Attorney Donald Zeman, to whom she was married for 62 years.

Born in New York City, she was the daughter of the late Beatrice (Skriloff) and Benjamin Bernstein. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Bridgewater State Teacher's College (now University of Massachusetts at Bridgewater.)

She taught in a one room school house in Stafford, Connecticut until the outbreak of World War II when she enlisted in the WAVES where she earned the rank of Petty Officer.

Mrs. Zeman lived in New Bedford and Dartmouth where she was active in many community and religious activities. Among her accomplishments are: the establishment of the New Bedford Jewish Community Center Nursery School; past president of the Tifereth Israel Synagogue Sisterhood; the adjutant of Jewish War Veterans Post 154; past president Ladies Auxiliary of the Jewish War Veterans; past president of the National Council of Jewish Women; a friend of Brandeis University; a friend of the New Bedford Public Library; a volunteer reader and special education volunteer for the New Bedford Public Schools; a docent at the New Bedford Whaling Museum.

She is survived by her husband; three sons, Attorney Michael J. Zeman and his wife, Maura of Dartmouth, Malcolm E. Zeman of New York City, NY, and Attorney Marc H. Zeman and his wife, Colette of Glenview, IL.; three grandchildren, Marni Simmons and her husband, Jason of Oceanside, NY, Jillian Zeman of Astoria, NY and Brian M. Zeman of Glenview IL.; her sister Thelma Greenberg of Somerset.

Funeral services will be held at Tifereth Israel Synagogue, 145 Brownell Avenue, New Bedford on Wednesday, September 23, 2009, at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at the Plainville Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 7-9:00 PM at the home of her son, Michael Zeman, 58 Tobey Lane, Dartmouth; on Thursday from 2-4:00 PM and 7-9:00 PM at the home of her sister, Thelma Greenberg, 25 Mt. Vernon Ave., Somerset; and on Friday from 2-4:00 PM at the home of her husband, Tamarisk Assisted Living, 3 Shalom Drive, Warwick, RI.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New Bedford Jewish Convalescent Home, 200 Hawthorn Street, New Bedford, MA 02740.

Arrangements are by Shalom Memorial Chapel in Cranston, RI.