Shelley Lipson, age 87, passed away on June 13, 2026. A proud Nebraskan, she was born in Omaha to Esther and Max Greenberg (stepfather Julius Kunik). After graduating from UC Berkeley, Shelley moved to Cleveland in 1961 to start graduate school. She soon met her husband, Ronald M. Lipson, and they created a full life of friends they acquired in South Euclid, on Shelburne Rd in Shaker Heights, in Pepper Pike, and finally in the Village in Beachwood. They shared a love of their Temple Emanu El community, travel, parties, social justice, dinners out, and extended family gatherings.
Shelley first worked as a social worker at JFSA and then went back to school at age 40 to become a CPA. She loved working as an accountant at David Polk & Company for many years.
Shelley was the queen of FOMO. She never missed a phone call and sometimes had two phones going at once, with constant plans for bridge games, dinners, hair appointments, family trips, parties, weddings, and her grandchildren’s events. She traveled the world and visited more than 40 countries and all but three states. She hiked, biked, and trekked on many of those trips. Perhaps the biggest legacy Shelley left was the quiet support she provided to countless local agencies and people in need. Although the last two years were challenging for her, she remained generous, kind and grateful for the care she received.
She was predeceased by her husband Ronald. She is survived by her daughters, Marcy (Yankel) Davidovics, Debbie (Jeff Krugman) Lipson, Amy (Andy Altman) Lipson. Grandchildren Nathan (Sabrina) Shore, Madeline (John Bentley), Lilly and Sadie Kaplan, Isaac and Moriah Altman.
She is survived by her siblings whom she adored, Dr. Michael (Mila OBM) Greenberg, Betty (Stan OBM) Myers, Harriet (Steve) Swartz, Judy (Stan) Cohen and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She enjoyed the last six years with her equally social companion, Burt Margolis.
With gratitude for the loving care she received from Dr. Jill Miller and Carmen Hernandez (UH Select), her wonderful caregivers, Patricia Grant, Jacquita Hayward, Tara Hayes, and Imani Grice-Williams, Suncrest Hospice (Tara, Sarah and Piper), and some special staff at the Ashton at Magnolia Trails.
The funeral will take place at Temple Emanu El (4545 Brainard Rd) on Monday June 15th at 11:00AM. Burial will be private. The family will receive friends following at Temple Emanu El until 7:30PM. Shiva will continue Tuesday, June 16 and Wednesday, June 17 from 2-4PM and 6:30-9:00PM at the Altman-Lipson Residence 4520 Monet Place Pepper Pike. Valet parking all three days.
To stream the service, log on to www.teecleve.org and click on Stream link.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lipson Fund at Temple Emanu El or a charity devoted to social justice.
