Irene S. Sobel Golan

Irene (Soble) Golan, a beloved piano teacher, musician, and community member in Natick, and the wife of the late Dr. Harold Golan, passed away on Friday, October 6, 2017, at her home in Natick, MA. Teaching private lessons in her home for over 60 years and conducting the choir of Temple Israel in Natick for over 25 years, Irene made a significant impact on Natick’s musical culture, educating and training several generations of young people. Whether or not they still play the piano, her former students carry her life lessons with them, and keep with them the love of music that she instilled in their weekly sessions, workshops, and recitals.

Irene’s passion in realizing a fulfilling musical life was not limited to the Natick area. She was an active member of the New England Piano Teachers’ Association for several decades until her death. She served as President, chaired the Programming Committee, and hosted visiting world-class artists. Her donation of her time to conduct the Temple Israel Choir included decades of singing at weekly services and producing musical events that presented new compositions as well as little-known Jewish composers of the Renaissance. Irene is most deeply remembered among her students, choir members, and the vast circle of people who knew and loved her as a person of uncommon warmth and social conscience. She had an intense interest in everyone she met, which transformed casual acquaintances into lifelong friendships, and changed the quality of routine piano instruction into personal experiences infused with valuable life lessons and a deep love of music.

Irene Judith Soble was born on November 7, 1925, the fourth of five children of Jennie & Harold Soble, Jewish immigrants to the U.S. from Russia (Lithuania) and France. Raised in a household imbued with a deep regard for Jewish learning, she was drawn into the study and performance of music. After graduating from Brookline High School, Irene pursued music and piano studies at Boston University, graduating with a bachelor of music degree.

Irene met her husband Harold at the wedding of her older sister, Dorothy. Harold fell in love with Irene listening to her singing at that wedding ceremony. Irene and Harold married in 1948, and moved first to Quincy after their marriage and then to Natick in 1952.

Irene was devoted to the notion and actuality of family and community. She was passionate about education in the Town of Natick, serving as town meeting member for many years, and chairing the committee to build the Memorial Elementary School. She and Harold raised four children – David, Jeffrey, Jay, and Jeanne. In addition to her children, Irene is survived by her sister Dorothy Burnim, her sisters-in-law Bertha Soble and Barbara Golan, her daughters-in-law Laura Green, Frances Vilella-Velez, and Barat Ellman, her grandchildren Liza Green Golan Mackintosh, Sarah Green-Golan, Rob, Toni and Marina Golan-Vilella, and Emma and Sophie Ellman-Golan, her two great grandchildren Asher and Carter Mackintosh, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. She sorely missed her other sisters of blessed memory, Henrietta Lederman and Frances Shames, and her brother Herbert Soble. Services at the Levine Chapels, 470 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446, on Sunday, October 8, 2017, at 11:00 am, followed by burial at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA 02067. The family will be at Irene’s home, immediately following the burial through 8pm and continuing Monday & Tuesday from 1-4pm and 6-8pm.

Those who wish to remember Irene may contribute to the New England Piano Teachers’ Association (“NEPTA”) in support of general donations. NEPTA was the source of many wonderful personal and professional relationships and will be establishing the Irene S. Golan Teacher's Exchange next season. Link: http://www.nepta.info/nepta-donations/. Please indicate "in memory of Irene Golan" on online donations or checks made out to NEPTA.