Lois Hertz Lesser

It was all about family for Lois Hertz Lesser. Her trademark three hand squeezes meant I-LOVE-YOU. Lois Lesser, daughter of Stanton and Lorine Hertz and wife of Robert Klein Lesser, passed away from cancer on August 12, 2016 at her home in Sarasota, Florida with her loved ones by her side. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Robert Lesser, sons Stanton Lesser (Jill Lesser), James Best (Ellen Best), Andrew Lesser (Judith Hersh Lesser) and daughter Laura Papageorge (Tony Papageorge), eleven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, her sister, Nancy Muskin and sister-in-law Sally Ann Shernow. Lois loved to play bridge and other games, was current with technology and exuded youth from the inside out until the end of her eighty-eight years. She loved ballet, the symphony and the arts and enjoyed watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow, creating a close relationship with them as their “Gram Cracker.” She was proud of her brood, often remarking, “We do have a nice family.” She always said laughter was the best medicine and she could find humor in almost anything, using a smiley face as her signature on funny, clever birthday cards. Lois was born in Pittsburgh, PA, graduated from Smith College and had a Masters in Psychological Testing from Fairfield University. She was a member of the Fairfield Arts Council and a golf and tennis player. As a devoted wife and mother in Fairfield, Connecticut, she developed close friendships she maintained her whole life. The Lesser family belonged to Congregation B’nai Israel where Robert was a former President. In later years, she and Robert divided their time between Weston, Connecticut and Sarasota. Private services will be held in Sarasota with a Memorial Service being planned in Connecticut at a later date.