Amalia Bornstein

Amalia (Midlarski) Bornstein of Needham, Massachusetts, passed away on February 10, 2026, at age 92. Amalia was the beloved younger daughter of Sophie and Gdala Midlarski. Born and raised in Havana, Cuba, Amalia emigrated to Boston, Massachusetts, at age 16. Amalia graduated from Jeremiah E. Burke High School in Dorchester, where she was an excellent student despite having to learn to speak English after leaving Cuba. After graduation, Amalia worked at D and B Painting-Wallpapering and later settled into working as a bookkeeper.

For 61 years, Amalia was the beloved wife of Dr. Joseph Bornstein, who predeceased her. Amalia was the devoted mother of Bruce Bornstein and his former wife Wendy Bornstein, Linda Bornstein and her partner Alan Seewald, and Karen Jacobson and her husband Donald Jacobson. She was the cherished grandmother (“Mima”) of Gregory Bornstein, Rachael Mondshine and her husband Aaron Mondshine, Michelle Bornstein and her fiancé Alex Kim, Samantha Jacobson and Jessica Jacobson. She was the great-grandmother of Aubrey and Noah Mondshine. Amalia leaves her loving sister, Marsha Gross.

Amalia was an avid Mah Jongg player, and she also enjoyed playing board games or cards and doing jigsaw puzzles. Movies were a life-long passion, and Amalia would delight in telling stories about spending all day at the theatres in Havana with her older sister Marsha. Amalia enjoyed cooking family favorites such as "grandma soup," which was handed down from her mother, Sophie.

Amalia and Joseph were founding members of Temple Aliyah in Needham, Massachusetts. Amalia volunteered for temple-related causes as well as many other charities.

Amalia’s love of people and her gentle good nature will live on in those who knew her and loved her.