Selma (Weinerman) Eigner

Selma W. Eigner, of Lexington had just celebrated her 97th birthday with gathered loving family just days before she passed away suddenly on July 2, 2021. She had also joyfully visited with her 4-year-old great-grandson, Jonah and his family. For Selma, family was paramount and she was a deeply loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and aunt.

Selma truly lived her long life to the fullest, making many lasting friends along the way and serving her synagogue, teaching, and performing innumerable mitzvahs. She was the person who everyone turned to when they needed a dedicated volunteer to accomplish any educational or organizational feat. Known for her keen intellect, her ability to research, and the arsenal of knowledge that she stored in her unfailingly sharp mind, she will be greatly missed.

Her love with Harry Eigner was legendary. Harry was her husband of 68 years until his passing in 2017 and they were inseparable constant companions. Together, they joined forces to make the world a better place for the oppressed, the poor, and the disadvantaged. As philanthropists and very active members of Temple Isaiah, they labored to keep the traditions of Judaism alive and to strengthen the Jewish community they loved. She was by her husband’s side at Brookhaven at Lexington throughout his long final illness, visiting him many times daily, offering solace and strength.

Selma found a lifelong vocation and passion in her love of books and knowledge which she shared liberally with all around her. After a brief career as a secretary, she attended Temple University’s Sunrise Semester, taking 6:00 AM classes via television as a young mother with three children. She transferred those credits to Boston University where she received her bachelor’s degree. Then she continued on with her education to earn a master’s degree in library science from Simmons College. She found employment as the librarian at Whidden Memorial Hospital in Everett, MA where she forged a serious affection for card files and the Dewey Decimal System. For many years, she volunteered as a teacher of English as a second language establishing deep friendships with her students. Later in life, she offered her services every semester to teach classes with HILR: Harvard Institute of Learning in Retirement. At Brookhaven in Lexington, she served as librarian for many years making sure that materials were available to suit the interests of all fellow residents.

Selma was also an artist, a talent that was expressed through oil painting in her younger days, and then with sewing and knitting throughout her life. One of her greatest pleasures was visiting museums and traveling—witnessing the art, scenery, and cultural splendor of the world. She loved parks, especially picnicking in parks. Walking was not only a lifelong activity, it was her avenue to engage with nature. She was able to walk recreationally until the day she passed.

She was a loving, caring, compassionate and wise mother, sister, and friend. Although always modest, she was the one that many sought out for her wisdom and dedication. Her passing leaves a massive void once filled by her strong presence.

She is survived by daughters Irene Eigner, Tovah Martin, and Naomi Price as well as brother Gerald Weinerman. She was predeceased by sister Eleanor Siesel. She created a deep loving bond with sons-in-laws Bill Simmons and Stephen Price. She was an inspiration to her grandchildren Hannah Hutt, Benjamin Hutt, and Emma Simmons Larsen as well as her Emma’s husband Matt Larsen and their son, Jonah Larsen.

Graveside services at Westview Cemetery, 520 Bedford St., Lexington on Tuesday, July 6 at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory can be made to HIAS (supporting refugees in need) and Doctors Without Borders.