Sarra I. Shpits

In Loving Memory of Sarra Shpits (née Burdman)

It is with profound sadness and heartfelt love that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Sarra Shpits (née Burdman), on Friday, October 30, 2026.

Sarra was an extraordinary woman whose life was a beautiful reflection of intelligence, strength, kindness, selflessness, and, above all, an unconditional and boundless love for her family.

Born in Bălți, Bessarabia, which was part of Romania at the time, Sarra spent much of her life in Tiraspol, Moldova, during the Soviet era. Although she was born on January 4, 1939, her official birth date was recorded as January 5, 1939, because the registration office was far from her family's home, making it impossible to register her birth on the day she was born.

Sarra was a highly educated and accomplished woman who took great pride in her professional life. She built a distinguished career as a textile manufacturing engineer, working for many years at the “40 Years of the Komsomol” Garment Manufacturing Association in Tiraspol. She served as Head of the Scientific and Technical Information Department and, through her knowledge, dedication, and leadership, later became Director of the Department of Scientific and Technical Information and Marketing.

Her professional accomplishments were an important part of who she was. She approached her work with the same dedication, responsibility, and determination that she brought to every aspect of her life.

Later in life, Sarra and her family immigrated to the United States, settling in the Boston, Massachusetts, area. Having retired from her professional career, she embraced what had always been the greatest joy and purpose of her life — her family.

To Sarra, family was not simply a part of life. Family was her entire world.

She was a mother whose love knew no boundaries, a grandmother whose devotion was immeasurable, and a great-grandmother whose heart overflowed with love for the youngest members of her family.

Sarra never truly lived for herself. Her happiness came from the happiness of those she loved. She found her greatest joy in caring for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, making sure they were happy, comfortable, and loved. Their needs always came before her own, and she gave endlessly of herself without ever expecting anything in return.

For Sarra, there was no greater happiness than being able to help her family. As she grew older and her physical strength began to fade, one of the hardest things for her was no longer being able to care for, and help with, her beloved great-granddaughters as much as she wanted. Her heart still wanted to do everything for them, even when her body could no longer keep up.

But while time may have limited what she could physically do, nothing could ever diminish the love she had to give.

Her concern for her family, her desire to help, and her endless devotion remained unchanged. She continued to love with the same extraordinary intensity that had defined her entire life.

She was the heart of her family — a constant source of warmth, comfort, strength, and unconditional love. Her presence made the lives of those around her richer, safer, and more beautiful.

Sarra was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Oleg Shpits, who passed away three years earlier.

Sarra leaves behind a legacy far greater than any professional accomplishment — generations of family forever shaped by her love, generosity, strength, and unwavering devotion.

Her greatest achievement was not only the successful career she built or the challenges she overcame throughout her remarkable life, but the love she gave so freely and the family she held together with all her heart.

She spent her life taking care of us. We will spend the rest of ours remembering her, loving her, and honoring everything she gave us.

And although we can no longer hold her hand or hear her voice, her love will remain with us — in our hearts, in our memories, and in the generations of family she cherished so deeply.

She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Sarra may be made to the Chabad Chai Center of Canton, 576 Washington Street, Canton, MA 02021 or at jewishcanton.com/donate