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Merrily Kaplan Obituary
Merrily Kaplan passed away on March 29, 2024, at the age of 80, and with that, the world has lost a close friend. Merrily was born on March 20, 1944, to Leo and Sylvia Klebanow in Malden, Massachusetts.
Merrily lived a life full of love, learning, friendships, art and music. She started her career as a teacher and then became a therapist and was a life long advocate for early childhood education, working for many years for Head Start.
She was also an artist, an avid game player, reader, dancer, swimmer and baker. She was known to cultivate beautiful gardens and long-lasting friendships.
She was a beloved mother to Josh Kaplan (Shani Kaplan), aunt to Cecilia and Molly Stevens, and sister to Isabelle Klebanow and Amy Glick (Ken Glick). She is also survived by her loving companion, Allen Sparer, by her former husband, Robert Kaplan, by the friends she has known like family for most of her life and those she's met along the way. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Steven Kahn. She will be missed by us all.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): https://donate.nami.org/fundraiser/5418881
A memorial gathering for friends and family will be held on Saturday, April 20th, from 1-4 p.m. at the Whitney Center North Building, 6th floor, 200 Leeder Hill Drive, Hamden, CT.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Merrily Kaplan
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Cindy Levy
May 19, 2025
I just searched for Merrillee and found this. We had met in 1974 or maybe 5 while she was a social work intern working with me, a registered art therapist, then in Cleveland, Ohio. She was sooo incredibly fabulous:)) i have missed her soooo much. I´d love to connect with any of her family or friends.
Thank you so much.
[email protected]
Shalom, Cindy Levy
Anita Piotrowski
April 16, 2024
I first met Merrily when I was a young teenager and her parents lived behind us in Hamden. I worked with her as a teacher assistant one summer at Head Start. Years later when my mom ( Irene Smith ) was a resident at Whitney Center I got to reconnect with her. She was as kind and gracious as I had remembered her. My condolences to Amy her sister and the extended family. Anita Thamel (Piotrowski)
Jacqueline DeAndrus Bucar
April 12, 2024
Merrily and I lived in the same neighborhood in elementary school but it was in high school when we were in the same classes that I got to really know her. I remember having wonderful discussions with her, in particular the night JFK won the presidency. We talked on the phone that evening in utter glee. I lost track of her after HHS but would ask about her at reunions and try to keep up with what was happening with her. I was so glad to see her just recently at our last informal reunion, sit next to her and hear about her life. She was brilliant and caring and I feel privileged to have known her. My condolences to her sisters and her whole family. May your many memories bring you comfort.
Pam Mendelsohn
April 11, 2024
Merrily and I had been best friends since 7th grade. We have never been out of touch despite living far from each other. We went through thick and thin, getting together in times of joy and true despair. We held back nothing. It's so hard for me to imagine a world without Mer in it. Ours was a great example of supportive forever friendship. I live in California. The last time we got together was in New York City. Merrily and her dear Allen came in for the day, and after the work day was over, Josh (her son) met us for a snack. It was such a happy time. I will never forget that twinkle in her eye.
Sharon A Kermes and Thomas C Kermes
April 11, 2024
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always! I enjoyed meeting Merrily and her Sister Amy and many others from Josh's family and was happy to be with her in Miami at that wedding and also in the Turks and Caicos staying on the beach and talking and enjoying each other.
I know that Shani and Josh will miss Merrily very much as will many others who knew her and will be sad not to see her now. Blessings for her family as they gather for her memorial that is in April 20th. from Sharon and Thom Kermes!
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