Frances Westerman

The Kolot community mourns the death of Frances Westerman, z'l, beloved mother of Kolot member Roger Westerman. Frances died peacefully on Friday, June 28, 2019 at the age of 86. We extend our deepest condolences to Roger, his wife Maria Schneider and their children, Eddie, Joy and Seth, on the loss of their beloved mother, mother-in-law and grandmother. A graveside funeral will be help on Monday, July 1 in New Jersey, officiated by clergy from Frances' home synagogue, Central Synagogue. On Monday evening, July 1, Kolot will sponsor and host a shiva gathering at Roger and Maria's home in Park Slope, Brooklyn, at 552 10 th Street from 6-9pm, with a shiva minyan service and storytelling around 7pm conducted by Cantor Segal and Rabbi Grossman. Please contact Gemilut Hasadim co-chair Phyllis Arnold and phyllislarnold@gmail.com to offer help or bring food. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Kolot Chayeinu in memory of Frances Westerman, z'l. You may send condolences to Roger and family at rkwestman@verizon.net. Roger writes about his mom: My mother Frances was born in 1932 and grew up in the Bronx. She attended Bronx Science, a source of pride for her throughout her life. She then attended Syracuse and finished her BA at Columbia General Studies. She was a multi-talented, brilliant woman who tried her hand at many careers, including acting and architecture. The one that took hold was painting, which she did for thirty years. She married my dad, Joel, z'l in 1956 and soon settled on the Upper West Side. My dad passed away in 1956 and my mom tool over the difficult task of raising three boys on her own. She has been our confidant, our friend, our advisor, and our harbor in the storm of our lives. She loved to travel and visited China and the Soviet Union in the ‘70's; toured Egypt for two months with my younger brother when he was 12; and cruised Antarctica and the Baltic States. But best of all, she took all her grandkids on trips to wherever they wanted when they were 12 - taking our children to London, Venice, and the Galapagos Islands. My fondest memory of my mother was when I told her 25 years ago that I would be giving her a birthday present that she would like. "What?" she asked. "A grandchild," I replied. Then she did something I'd never seen before - she literally jumped for Joy. And after our daughter Joy (coincidence?) was born, and then Eddie and Seth, she became a devoted amazing Grandma. She was extremely well read and, even in her final days, asked us to bring old books to the hospital. She would cut the books into thirds and quarters to make them easier to lift. My mom has left us with a deep appreciate for human empathy, the arts, literature, and life. We will miss her terribly.