Harriet Zeamans Kupferberg

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Harriet Kupferberg Obituary

KUPFERBERG--Harriet Zeamans, age 83, passed away suddenly on January 21, 2008 at home. Beloved wife of the late Dr. Kenneth Kupferberg, devoted mother of Mark Kupferberg (Ina), Anne Kupferberg Pepper (Mark), and Sarah Kupferberg (Sydney Temple). Adored grandmother of Robert, Lily, Leah, Hillary, Kara, Kaila, Kenny and Josh. Sister of Polly Radwin, Naomi Goren, and the late Elnora Reibman. An inspiration to her large and loving family, Harriet was a lifelong philanthropist and community leader. Founding member of Temple Beth Sholom of Flushing, Past President of the Long Island Federation of Women's Clubs, benefactor of The Harriet and Kenneth Kupferberg Holocaust Resource Center and Archives at Queensborough Community College. Services to be held Thursday, January 24, 2008 at 12 noon at Temple Beth Sholom, 172nd Street and Northern Boulevard, Flushing. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Temple Beth Sholom or The Harriet and Kenneth Kupferberg Holocaust Resource Center and Archives at Queensborough Community College.

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Published by New York Times from Jan. 23 to Jan. 24, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Harriet Kupferberg

9 Entries

A Clayman

January 25, 2008

Condolences to the Kupferberg family.

Kaila Temple

January 24, 2008

Knew it had to end sometime.
everyone has their time
sooner or later
The Lake House
Tropical vacations to get away from the rain and snow
Unexpected presents (well almost, we didn’t know what they were).
We found a new restaurant to show her
so quick and unexpected
It still feels like we are going to pick her up at the airport and go to Hawaii.
She taught me to listen with stories that I grew to know by heart.
Learning to enjoy old fashioned things that I would have otherwise not enjoyed if she had not saved them.
To keep traditions alive.
I learned to show caring and compassion.
To be a better person.

Sarah Kupferberg

January 24, 2008

Last night while Syd and I were straightening up at my mother's house, I was struck by the lack of a clear stratigraphic sequence in the papers and objects we found. Usually the layers of household detritus , like sedimentary rocks, reflect their age by their position. The bottom strata are old and the items at the surface most recent. Not so with my mother. A photo of her holding me at age 3 months was with a photo of my daughter at age 3 years, and was not far from a 2008 datebook with a full schedule. It struck me that this mixing of eras and her penchant for collecting- and using- antiques was a metaphor for how she lived her life. She was a marvelous integrator of past, present, and future.

She has friends going back 50 years and friends of newer vintage. She was passionate about preserving history but also living history. Near the surface among recent plans about Bown House's rebuilding was a ten year old thank you letter from a fourth grade class, complete with pictures of kids in colonial garb and mob caps churning butter with my mom. She loved and cared for her own children and grandchildren, and as we grew up she continued to care for generations of future children.

She lived a life of service and I am proud of her. In recent conversations she told me of her interest in ethical wills. On her breakfast table I found a book titled, "So that your values live on, Ethical wills and how to prepare them." I don't know if she had drafted her own in writing to tell us what values she wanted to pass on, but I believe she didn't really need to. Her life's work clearly articulated that she bequeathed to us her ideas about the importance of sharing, giving, and building community.

One value I especially want to thank her for passing on to my children is the value of simple pleasures. In closing, I would like to share my son Josh's list of favorite things to do with Grandma Harriet:
1. play Monopoly on the porch looking at Owasco Lake
2. Sit on the dock with her
3. Go to the Mobil Gas station with her and get live bait.
4. Watch Antiques Road Show with her.

Barbara Connor

January 23, 2008

To Mark and Seth and family, please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. I am so sorry that I didn't get to meet her. I'm sure she will be long remembered for her dedicated community service. Her good works will live on. All my best to you at this difficult time,
Dr. Barbara Connor, Auburn, NY

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Minna S. Novick

January 23, 2008

Mark, you may not remember me or my sister. Your Great Grandmother was a friend of my Great Grandmother long ago. Your Grandparents, the Zemans, were wonderful to my parents, Elsie and Lou Sommer, in Flushing long ago. My twin sister, Willa, and I were part of your Mother's production of the opera "hansel and Gretel" on the Zeman's front lawn when we were 5 and Harriet was about 10 years old. So we go back a long way.

Unfortunately, many years have gone by since I spoke to your dear Mother. We did correspond a while ago about your Aunts and I wrote to them then, too.

Your Mother was special in our lives, supporting our family in good times and sad ones, too. She brought the Sherman silver service to our weddings and came to grieve with us after my Mother's funeral.She and my Mother were very close friends.

We had fine times with both of your Parents and Grandparents, too. They were all exceptionally fine people and I think about them all very often. Please tell your sisters and aunts that I am thinking of them at this time.

With love to all of you.
Minna Sommer Novick

William Fox

January 23, 2008

Jane, Bill and Sharon Fox wish to extend their sincere condolences to the family of Harriet Kupferberg. We will always remember her as a kind and gentle lady.

beverly miller

January 23, 2008

I never had the pleasure of meeting Harriet personally, but I spoke to her on the phone and was charmed by her gracious, warm personality. I was so looking forward to meeting her. Mark, please accept my prayers and most sincere condolences. We at Auburn Memorial Hospital will never forget her generosity in supporting health care in the area she adopted as her summer home.
Most sincerely,
Beverly Miller

Judy Santillo

January 23, 2008

Harriet was a very kind, loving, fun and amazing lady. I feel honored to have had the opportunity to share a small part of her life. She was a wonderful friend to my parents and me. I will truly miss her, but will treasure the memories I have of her.

amy schechter

January 23, 2008

Anne, Mark, Lilly, Leah and Kenney, We are all so sorry to hear about you mom and beloved grandma. We only just met Harriet recently but we really admired her. She complemented me on my children and always had a positive attitude. It was a pleasure and an hononr to know her. If there is anything we can do for any of you at this very difficult time please do not hesitate to call on us.
Shalom from your friends; Ron, Amy, Alex and Rachel Schechter

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