Finkel, Barbara E
Barbara (Westerman) Finkel died peacefully in her home surrounded by her children. Barbara, a native of Springfield, was born in 1936 to the late Maurice Westerman and late Mildred (Hody) Westerman Marks. Barbara attended Washington School, Forest Park Jr. High and graduated from Technical High School in 1953. She graduated from Fitchburg State Teachers College and later earned a master's in education at AIC with a concentration in reading difficulties in young children. Barbara began her teaching career at Frederick Harris School in 1957 where she taught until her retirement in 1993. Barbara had the opportunity to teach many children of former students. While Barbara taught nearly every grammar school grade during her career, she most enjoyed teaching second graders.
Barbara's husband of 45 years, Bruce, predeceased her in 2002. In retirement, Barbara volunteered as a reading specialist at the Lubavitcher Yeshiva Acadamy. She was an active participant in the Women's Division at the Jewish Nursing Home (now JGS Lifecare) and served as its President. Barbara and Bruce enjoyed volunteering in the Nursing Home's coffee shop, serving coffee and ice cream to residents and their guests (and even leading much loved sing-a-longs of old time favorites). Barbara and Bruce volunteered to teach English to newly arrived Russian Jewish immigrants in the early 1980s, some of whom became their dearest friends. Barbara was a long time congregant of Sinai Temple where she taught Sunday School and volunteered to lead the task of publishing Sinai's beloved annual calendar. Barbara's teaching and community activities led to many close and long lasting friendships. For Barbara, running errands or stopping for a quick lunch someplace would invariably involve reminiscing with an old friend she would, by chance, run into.
Barbara and Bruce enjoyed traveling together over the years. After Bruce's passing, Barbara enjoyed spending time with her three children and six grandchildren, of whom she was very proud. Barbara is survived by her daughter Martha Ceppetelli (of Broad Brook, CT) and her husband, Michael; Her son Robert Finkel (of New York City) and his wife Debbie; her daughter Amy Dembo (of West Hartford, CT) and her husband Steven. Her adoring grandchildren, Max, Hannah, Aliyah, Rachel, Jacob and Lauren will miss their Bubbie terribly, but have wonderful memories of trips with her to Israel, Amsterdam, Florida and especially picnics in Bubbie's backyard garden. Barbara leaves two loving sisters, Nancy Swilling and Sandra Broida, both of Florida. Barbara was laid to rest with her husband Bruce at Sinai Memorial Park, Springfield MA. Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation assisted her family.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara's memory may be made to Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy, 1148 Converse St., Longmeadow MA, and JGS Lifecare 770 Converse St., Longmeadow MA.