Zelda Groper Smith of Chestnut Hill passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 28, 2024. A true lady, Zelda was passionate about books, life-long learning, her religion, her family and, most especially, Phillip, her husband of 62 years.
Zelda was born on September 28, 1933 in Montreal, Canada and moved to Massachusetts shortly thereafter. She was a graduate of Connecticut College and in 1960, she met Phillip, the love of her life. In 1961, they were married and began their family. Following her passion for books, Zelda initially volunteered as a librarian at Beaver Country Day School. She returned to school for her Master of Library Science at Simmons College after which she became the head librarian at Beaver until her retirement. Zelda also volunteered her time as a librarian at Temple Emanuel in Newton.
Zelda was an avid tennis player and loved spending time with her family in Waterville Valley, NH. In her retirement, she enjoyed book clubs, investment clubs, mah jongg and bridge. She and Phillip pursued their love of learning for many years through continuing education classes at Brandeis and Regis colleges.
She is survived by her husband Phillip, her children Karen and Rob, Pamela, Alan and Nancy; her grandchildren Aaron, Ethan and Laura, Ben, Rebecca, Justin, Jacob and Kayla; and her sisters-in-law Eleanor and May. She was predeceased by her siblings Muriel, Millicent, Irving, Shayla, and Earle (Pat).
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward Street, Newton, Massachusetts. Interment to follow at Lindwood Memorial Park, Temple Emanuel section, 490 North Street, Randolph, MA.
The family will be sitting shiva at the home of Alan and Nancy Smith on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Thursday, May 2 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Zelda’s memory to the Zelda & Phillip Smith Jewish Life Cycle Fund (https://www.templeemanuel.com/give/synagogue-gift-funds).
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