Roberta Weiss Friedman

Roberta Weiss Friedman, 74 of Needham, Mass., died peacefully on May 4, 2014, with her family by her side. She was born in New Rochelle, New York, on September 9, 1939, the daughter of the late Leon N. Weiss and the late Janet G. Weiss.

Bobbie was a graduate of New Rochelle High School and received a Bachelor’s Degree in History with honors from the University of Rochester in New York. She attended the Harvard Graduate School of Education and received a Master of Arts in Teaching.

She started her teaching career at Masconomet Regional High School and later taught at Needham High School before leaving the workforce to raise a family. She later worked as a sales professional at several small businesses.

Bobbie was a dedicated wife and mother who never missed her children's activities. When grandchildren came along, she cherished them as if they were her own children. She was also a dedicated mother to several cats and a dog, whom she often called her “Fur People.”

Bobbie was an active member of several civic organizations including Women’s American ORT, where she was president of the local chapter, Hadassah, and the Temple Beth Shalom Sisterhood and Garden Club. She regularly donated her time and money to these groups and other charitable organizations. She was an avid reader and member of several book clubs over the years. Bobbie was also an active tennis player, playing year round at many local clubs for her entire adult life.

Bobbie leaves behind her beloved husband of 51 years, Edward Friedman of Needham and two children, Judy Cloherty and her husband Sean Cloherty of Sharon, Mass., and Joel Friedman and his wife Caren Fishman of Andover, Mass. She leaves behind four grandchildren, Ryan and Jason Cloherty and Daniela and Leo Friedman. Bobbie also leaves behind her brother Richard Weiss and his wife June Weiss of Scarsdale, New York, as well as six nieces and nephews whom she adored. Bobbie will also be missed by her many friends, a number of whom have become lifelong friends.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 6th, at 10am at Temple Beth Shalom, 670 Highland Ave., Needham. Interment to follow at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon. Shiva at the Friedman home on Tuesday from 6:30-8:30 p.m., on Wednesday from 1:30- 3:30 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m. and on Thursday from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to ORT America, 75 Maiden Lane, 10th Floor New York, NY 10038 (www.ortamerica.org) or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Avenue, 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851 (www.themmrf.org).