Roberta K. Kaufman Idelson

Born and raised in Cambridge, she was the daughter of the late Sophie and Hyman Kaufman. She became a committed social scientist, earning both a BA and an MA in Sociology from Tufts University, and contributed to a number of papers, books and studies in the area of public health, including the Boston heart patient studies. She was a graduate of Cambridge High & Latin School where she was a lively, popular and actively involved member of her class.

Roberta was predeceased by her much loved and loving husband, Dr. Beldon Idelson, and is survived by their three children, Jeffrey Idelson of Cooperstown, NY, Sarah Idelson of Cambridge, and Matthew (Melisa) Idelson of Highland Mills, NY, two adored grandchildren, Aaron and Nicole Idleson of Cooperstown, NY; her siblings, Harvey Kaufman, Gloria Younger (Cal), Sally Hoffer (Stu), and Marcia Kaufman (Steven Hladis), and several nieces and nephews, as well as her many close relatives and friends, all of whom will miss her warmth, wit, intelligence and caring. Her brother Jack died in 1989.

A remembrance service will be held at Levine Chapels, 470 Harvard Street, Brookline, on Monday, April 25 at 1pm. Family and friends may visit at the home of Harvey Kaufman on Monday following the interment.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Boston Medical Center, Office of Development, 801 Massachusetts Ave., First Floor, Boston, MA 02118, www.developement.bmc.org/donate; Elizabeth Evans de Rham Hospice Home, c/o VNA Hospice Care, Development Office, 109 Rosewood Drive, Suite 180, Danvers, MA 01923, www.vnacarenetwork.org/donate; or to a charity of your own preference.