Selma Kupperman

Selma Kupperman’s family is saddened to report her death at the incredible age of 100 in Gainesville, FL. Ms. Kupperman had lived for long periods in Newark, Maplewood, Bradley Beach, Berkeley Heights and Englishtown, NJ, as well as Ellenville and Clayton NY, and Plantation, FL.

Ms. Kupperman was born in 1922 in Brooklyn, NY, the fourth daughter of Russian immigrants, Joseph and Rachel Klugerman, and their only child born in the U.S. During high school in Newark, NJ, she dated her beloved future husband, Solomon Kupperman, whom she married in 1943 just after he was drafted into World War II. While Mr. Kupperman was training for jungle warfare in Louisiana, Ms. Kupperman moved to New Orleans to be near him, and she worked as a salesperson in the ladies’ glove department at the city’s leading department store, the Maison Blanche.

In 1944, Ms. Kupperman gave birth to the couple’s first of four children, Mark, while living with her in-laws, Max and Sadie Kupperman, at their home in Newark. Two years later, Mr. Kupperman returned to the U.S. as an Army Air Force Staff Sergeant, the recipient of a Purple Heart and combat ribbons. Two more sons, Philip and Kenneth, were born before the couple moved to Maplewood NJ, where their daughter, Michelle, was born.

After Ms. Kupperman’s husband died in 1989 after long suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease, during which time she provided dedicated care, Ms. Kupperman shared her life with Harold “Dinky” Lonstein until his passing in 2004.

Ms. Kupperman was active for decades in Temple B’nai Abraham in Newark and the Erste Bershader KUV social and welfare organization in Newark and Hillside, where she was a founding member of the group’s Belle Edelson Charity Council, named for her late sister. She also worked at two NJ department stores, B. Altman’s in Short Hills and Macy’s in E. Brunswick, as sales manager of their China departments (about which she quipped, “I’m going to work in China today!”). In Gainesville she was active for several years in B’nai Israel’s Friendship Circle. Throughout her life, Ms. Kupperman was an avid ballroom dancer and Maj Jong player and was widely known for her zest for life and sense of humor. Through all of life’s challenges and transitions, she personified grace and appreciation.

Ms. Kupperman is survived by her four children - Mark Kupperman of Lambertville, NJ, Philip (Jill) Kupperman of Boca Raton, FL, Ken (Liz) Kupperman of Bluffton, SC, Michelle (Chris) Ott of Gainesville, FL, the latter of whom were devoted companions in her last decades. In addition, Ms. Kupperman’s progeny includes nine grandchildren and their spouses; 16 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren, as well as many dear nieces, nephews, their children and grandchildren.

Ms. Kupperman’s family is grateful to the staff of The Village in Gainesville, FL for providing her a supportive environment the last 15 years of her life and affording her a vital experience right until the end.

A graveside service for Selma will be held Thursday, August 11, 2022 at 11:00 AM at King Solomon Cemetery, 550 Dwasline Road, Clifton, New Jersey 07012.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bernheimapterkreitzman.com for the Kupperman family.