Paula "Penny" (Presson) Hurwitz

Paula "Penny" (Presson) Hurwitz, 75, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, September 23, 2024, following a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer.

Penny was born in Newton, MA, daughter of the late Samuel and Ceil (Eavzan) Presson. After graduation from Newton North High School in 1967, she attended University of Colorado Boulder, where she explored her passion for skiing at Vail while occasionally going to class. Realizing skiing was not a realistic career, she returned to Boston, earning a Master of Social Work from Boston College in 1973.

In 1973, Penny met David Hurwitz of Auburn, ME, on a blind date. They shared nearly 50 loving years together, living a majority of that time raising their two sons in Framingham, MA.

Penny was a passionate and intelligent woman, known for her fierce advocacy. She dedicated her life to creating a more just world, whether as a licensed psychiatric social worker in the state hospital system or as a long-time volunteer in the civil rights division of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), where she was mentored by the late Lenny Zakim. Penny was immensely proud of her nearly 20-year tenure as ADL New England’s Associate Director of Educational Programming. In this role, she empowered countless students and educators to combat racism, anti-Semitism, and hate while inspiring them to be the change they wished to see in the world.

Penny was equally devoted to her family and friends. Known for her sharp sense of humor and generous spirit, Penny always had a smile to share. She loved keeping in touch with loved ones, often spending hours on the phone with her close friends, sisters, and family. She took immense pride in celebrating her sons' achievements in the arts, athletics, and academics and never missed a chance to share their successes with others. Regardless of Penny’s lifetime of remarkable accomplishments, becoming a “Bubba” to her three grandchildren was one of her greatest joys, and she cherished every moment spent with them.

A lover of photography, Penny was always making family members pose for photographs to add to her collection, particularly on the front steps of her family’s summer home on Nantasket Beach, where she spent nearly every summer for 70 years.

Penny is survived by her husband, David, of Cambridge, MA; two sisters, Gail Presson and Wendy (Richard) Grossman; her sons, Michael (Debra) Hurwitz, and Ross Hurwitz (Joseph Lupia); grandchildren Asher, Grayson, and Frankie Hurwitz; as well as many beloved nephews, nieces, cousins, grandnephews and grandnieces, and cherished extended family.

Funeral services for Penny will be held on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Stanetsky’s Memorial Chapel, 475 Washington Street, CANTON, followed by interment at Sharon Memorial Park. Shiva will be immediately following the interment until 7:30 p.m. and on Thursday from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. and on Friday from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. at at place to be announced at the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Penny’s memory to some of the causes most dear to her: Planned Parenthood, The Lenny Zakim Fund, or The Legacy Museum.