Lorraine Herzberg

Born in 1930 as Leah Gershater, Lorraine Gershater Herzberg spent the first few years of her childhood in a small village in Lithuania. She came to the United States in late 1938 to escape the Nazi regime with her parents, two older sisters, and brother. Their family settled in Boston near many aunts, uncles, and cousins who had emigrated earlier. She loved and was loved by her many aunts and uncles who all lived close enough to easily visit each others’ homes for everyday activities as well as holidays and celebrations.

Lorraine attended the Boston Public Schools where she discovered her talent for and love of painting, drawing, and music. Lorraine studied art and graduated from the Massachusetts College of Art. While attending college and working, she went to a mixer at MIT where she met a young Northeastern University electrical engineering student named Robert Herzberg. Bob and Lorraine soon married, bought a brand-new home in Newton, and had two children, Michael and Susan.

Before she had her children, Lorraine taught art in the Malden Public schools, and then, like most women of her time, left the workforce to stay home and raise her family. She continued to paint and create beautiful art and over the years sang in several Jewish community choirs. She loved art of all kinds, music, her children, the brilliant colors of fall leaves, purple flowers, ducks, and celebrating Jewish holidays. Lorraine loved being an American and always remained passionate about Jewish causes. She cared deeply about Israel—the land and its people.

Lorraine is survived by her two children, Michael Herzberg and his wife Ellen Frank; Susan Herzberg and John Mulhern; her two grandsons Joshua and Benjamin Herzberg and Ben’s wife Amy; and her great grandson, Solomon Robert Herzberg. Lorraine was 95 years old.

Funeral services will be on December 15th at 1pm, at the Olita Relief Society Cemetery, 776 Baker Street West Roxbury.

Donations in Lorraine’s memory can be made to:

Massachusetts College of Art and Design, HIAS, Zamir Choral, or the Temple Israel of Natick fund of your choice