Phyllis Halpren

Phyllis R. Halpern NORFOLK - Phyllis Sperans Rapoport Halpern, 87, passed away peacefully Dec. 17, 2010. She was born and grew up in New York City where she attended public high school and Columbia University before graduating from Skidmore College. During World War II she was a member of the American Woman's Hospital Reserve Corps, volunteered at a military hospital in Staten Island and was active in war bond sales and blood drives in support of the war effort. After her marriage she moved to Portsmouth in 1945 and was active in her new community by volunteering at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital, the Head Start Program and the Girls Club along with helping at the family business, The Quality Shop. She served on the board of directors at Temple Sinai, the American Cancer Society, and as president of Young Audiences of Virginia. She enjoyed continuing education courses at Old Dominion University and Wellesley College in addition to golf, tennis, the symphony, opera, theater and books. In 2007 she moved to Harbor's Edge in Norfolk. She is predeceased by her husband of 40 years, Herman Rapoport in 1984, her husband of 18 years, Parker Halpern in 2006, and her daughter, Martha Rapoport in 2008. She was also predeceased by her parents, Sam and Jean Sperans and a sister, Shirley Heiligman. Her top priority was always her beloved family which she cherished, Reid Rapoport and wife Becky, Steve Rapoport and wife Troy, Skip Halpern and wife Barbara, Richard Halpern and wife Arlen; her wonderful grandchildren, Lindsay, Adam, Sam, Julia, Sarah, Ben, Michael, Stacy, Ian and Chaya; great-grandchildren, Lily and Isabel; loving nieces and nephews, Tom, Randy, Michael, Zachary, Julie, Mark, Trish and Ruby. She was grateful for her devoted caregivers, Shirley and Iris and the caring staff at Harbor's Edge. A funeral will be held at noon Tuesday in Temple Sinai, Portsmouth, by Rabbi Arthur Z. Steinberg. Burial will follow in Olive Branch Cemetery. Friends may join the family Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Foster Funeral Home, Portsmouth. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Temple Sinai, 4401 Hatton Point Road, Portsmouth, VA 23703 or to Young Audiences of Virginia, 420 N. Center Dive, Norfolk, VA 23502.