Rachel Turkewitz

Rachel Turkewitz passed away peacefully, at home in Winchester, MA, on April 9 at the age of 101. She was the loving and beloved wife of the late Herman Turkewitz. She cherished her family; her daughter Hillary Turkewitz and late son-in-law Jon Ripley, son David Turkewitz and his wife Kathy, her grandchildren Jared, Joshua and Rebecca Ripley Turkewitz, Alyssa and her husband Caleb Campbell, Andrew Turkewitz, and Mark Turkewitz and his wife Zoe, and great-grandchildren Caleb, Ella, and William Campbell. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Gloria Miller and Rachel Miller, her brother-in-law Wallace Goodman and his wife Elaine, and many nieces and nephews.

Rachel was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, one of six children of Rose and Charles Miller. She was predeceased by her brother Hyman Miller and his wife Roslyn, her brother Morris Miller and his wife Jean, her brothers Milton and Norman Miller, her sister Martha Kanterman, and her brother-in-law Ira Turkewitz and his wife Irene.

Rachel is fondly remembered for her sparkling wit, generosity, and her warmth and curiosity. A devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law and friend, she formed lasting connections with people from all walks of life. She had a gift for making others feel welcome.

Whether she was reading, traveling the world with her husband Turk, playing bridge or mahjong, or simply sharing conversation, Rachel brought energy, intelligence, and charm. She embraced life with a determination and enthusiasm that brightened the world for those lucky enough to know her.

She demonstrated a passion for physical fitness throughout her life; she was jogging around her neighborhood in Baldwin, Long Island, with her lifelong friend Ceil Obi, decades before this activity became popular. A woman of remarkable vitality, she was known to routinely outwork much younger women at her YMCA exercise classes. Rachel will be deeply missed.

Funeral service will be held at Stanetsky Memorial Chapel, 1668 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA on Monday, April 13 at 1:30. The livestream of the service can be found here: www.tinyurl.com/RachelTurkewitzRemembered

Burial will follow services at Beit Olam East Cemetery, 42 Concord Road, Wayland, MA.

Shiva visiting hours will be held at Rachel’s former home on Monday evening from 7-9 and on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 14 & 15th from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rachel’s memory to the North Suburban YMCA, 137 Lexington Street, Woburn, MA 01801.