Doris Rosen

Doris Eleanor Berland Rosen

Newton, Massachusetts – [February 27, 2026] – Doris “Dori” Eleanor Berland Rosen passed away peacefully at her residence, surrounded by her children.

Born on October 29, 1933, in Cleveland Ohio, Dori grew up surrounded by a large extended family. The granddaughter of Eastern European Jewish immigrants, she lived through World War Two and the Great Depression, during which her father and his brothers owned and lost the family pharmacy business. Just a few years younger than Anne Frank, she was keenly aware of what her own fate could have been. These early experiences shaped her as a resilient, fiercely independent and family-oriented woman.

Dori graduated from the University of Michigan as a first-generation college student, and after brief stints as a social worker and teacher, earned a PhD in school psychology from Purdue University. She was the Ithaca City Schools psychologist for over thirty years—a career spent in service to children and adolescents whose lives were often marked by poverty, neglect, or abuse.

Dori was a voracious reader, lover of dance, art, music, and film, and a political junkie. A world traveler who lived overseas for extended periods of time on several occasions, she learned both Spanish and Hebrew as an adult. A student of history, culture, language and religion, she had a nuanced and well-informed understanding of the complex issues that shape modern conflict. A lifelong Democrat, she attended the 1963 March on Washington, D.C. for Jobs and Freedom and volunteered for political campaigns well into her eighties to make the world a better place for her grandchildren.

Dori was known for her directness, spry sense of humor and ability to laugh at herself. She deliberately chose to do challenging, adventuresome things. She delighted in roller coasters, downhill skiing, white water rafting, and riding on her son Michael’s scooter through the streets of Rome. She studied for and became a bat mitzvah at the age of 80. Dori’s enthusiasm for life had a profound impact on her children.

A lover of the outdoors, Dori frequented Sapsucker Woods, the Cornell Plantations, Taughannock and Treman State Parks, and Buttermilk Falls. She could often be found on her back porch during the day, watching hummingbirds alight on her Rose of Sharon bushes, or at night, looking at constellations in the sky. Though winters were often spent near the beach in Sarasota, Florida, Ithaca was her beloved home of over 50 years.

Friendship and community were the core of Dori’s life. She seemed to know everyone, and everyone seemed to know her. The pharmacist, the bank manager, and the staff at the supermarket whom she called to reserve rotisserie chickens all knew her by name. Everyone knew it was impossible to get through on the phone to Dori’s house, as the line was always busy. She developed a wonderful group of friends. She knew what was going on in their lives, and they in hers. These friendships were what led to a community of extended family in Ithaca. Dori was a frequent host known for an annual Rosh Hashana party. Other Jewish holidays as well as vacations were spent with her Ithaca family, and as a result many of the children of Dori’s friends are dear friends to her children.

Dori’s family was precious to her, and she made sure that time was spent with cousins, aunts, and uncles not just on her side of the family but on her ex-husband’s as well. Every year she drove to Cleveland or Chicago for Thanksgiving despite her intense fear of driving on the highway and propensity to get lost. When grandchildren arrived, she was the grandparent who played with them, read to them, took them to the Ithaca Swim Club and out for ice cream at Purity. There are many fond memories of trips to the Stewart Park playground and watching sunsets over Cayuga Lake.

Dori was a devoted and active member of the Temple-Beth-El of Ithaca community. She was an enthusiastic participant in adult education, a frequent volunteer, and known for “just showing up”. Committed to Judaism she continued to participate in weekly Shabbat services as well as other Jewish holiday celebrations until shortly before her passing, which took place just a few hours after sundown on Shabbat.

Dori is survived by her three children [Karen Stetler (Ron), Alan Michael Rosen, and Beth Sheidley (Nathaniel), four grandchildren [Riley, Sasha, Ella and Benjamin] and six nieces and nephews [Rachel, Rebecca, Carl, Andrea, Michelle and Stephanie].

She was preceded in death by her parents, [Archie Berland and Beulah Seidenfeld Berland] and younger brother [Donald Berland].

Dori’s children have fulfilled her wishes to be returned to Ithaca, NY for burial at Lakeview Cemetery.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers those who wish to express condolences consider donating to any of the following organizations in Dori’s name:

Temple Beth-El of Ithaca, NY (Temple Beth-El)

Hospicare of Ithaca, NY (Hospicare | Home)

Hangar Theatre Company (Welcome - Hangar - Ithaca, NY)