Sylvia Ruth Chaiten

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Sylvia Chaiten, 91, who died peacefully on Sunday, December 21, 2025. Born in St. Louis to Samuel and Edith Moliff, Sylvia quickly became the darling of her two older brothers, Al and Julian. She grew up in Cleveland Heights, spending weekends at the Cleveland Museum of Art and summers going to Cain Park. She attended Heights High School, where she played flute and piccolo in the marching band, and Ohio University, where she studied art education. In the summer before her senior year at OU, Sylvia met her beloved, Harold Chaiten. They married the following year, in 1956. Over the next decade, they moved back and forth between Ohio and New Jersey several times – always choosing to be near family – and finally settled in South Euclid in 1967. They parented four children and planted the seeds for a large and loving family.

Sylvia was an artist and a teacher, a warm listener, and a dedicated friend. She loved working in her pottery studio, planning Sisterhood activities at B’nai Jeshurun, gardening, hosting family events, and walking with friends at the mall. Above all, Sylvia loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

After a devastating stroke in January 2020 that left her substantially paralyzed and unable to speak, Sylvia somehow found ways to share her playfulness and warmth and to develop new, loving relationships with those who cared for her for years at Maltz Hospice House. The Chaiten family will forever be indebted to these new friends who brought kindness, love and depth to Sylvia’s life.

Sylvia is pre-deceased by her husband, Harold, who passed away just five months ago, as well as her parents, Samuel and Edith Moliff, and her brothers Julian Moliff (Shirley) and Albert Moliff (Ruth). She is survived by her sister-in-law, Norma Kupersmidt of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; her four children: Ellen McConnell (Robert McConnell), Lorie Chaiten (Harold Hirshman), Jodi Chaiten (Dr. Corinne Daprano), and Louis Chaiten (Cynthia Chaiten); ten grandchildren: Dr. Alison Dachner (Joel Dachner), Ashley Lanphear, Dr. Samuel Hirshman (Dr. Nam Vera Chau), Dr. Emma Hirshman (Samuel Smith), Braden McConnell (Lilith Richter-Stephenson), Jacob Hirshman (Laura Hietamies), Edith Chaiten, Antonio Chaiten, Lillian Chaiten, and Matteo Chaiten; six great-grandchildren: Liesel Dachner, Benjamin Lanphear, Daphne Dachner, Maxton Lanphear, Aaron Dachner, and Asher Hirshman; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and others for whom she was like a mother.

Contributions may be made to: Friendship Circle (www.friendscleveland.com) and B’nai Jeshurun Congregation, Chaiten Family Fund for Jewish Arts (www.bnaijeshurun.org).

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel, 1985 South Taylor Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, followed by burial at Bet Olam Cemetery, 25796 Chagrin Blvd. in Beachwood. To view this service, please scroll down to the Services Section and click on “JOIN LIVESTREAM”.

The family will sit shiva (receive friends) at the home of Louis and Cindy Chaiten, 17551 Shaker Blvd. on:

Wednesday 12/24 following the burial until 5:00 p.m.

Thursday 12/25 from 1-3 p.m.

Friday 12/26 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Sunday 12/28 from 9-12 p.m.

Monday 12/29 from 3-5:30 p.m.

Tuesday 12/30 shacharit at 9 a.m.

May her memory be for a blessing.

Arrangements were made under the supervision of Berkowitz Kumin Bookatz Memorial Chapel.