Eleanor Leventhal, age 99 years, died on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at NewBridge on the Charles in Dedham, MA. She was a woman of great style and presence who delighted in providing her family with traditional celebrations in the modernist house where she lived for sixty years. She was a generous supporter and former trustee of Temple Shalom and the Beth Israel Hospital (now Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center), where she was the first woman to serve on the executive board. Her happiest days were during her marriage to Robert Leventhal, a far-sighted and respected real estate developer, who died in 1972. Together, they enjoyed travel, modern art, and community service, including the founding committee of Temple Shalom.
For fifty years, Eleanor was an active member of the Beth Israel Hospital Women’s Auxiliary. She was the volunteer co-chair of the hospital’s thrift shop and gift shop, using retailing skills developed from an early job at Filene’s to make the shops a success. For fifteen years, she served on the board of what was then the Hospice of the Good Shepherd (now the Good Shepherd Community Care).
An avid bridge player, she enjoyed her book group, gardening, and frequent visits to the Boston Symphony and Museum of Fine Art. She delighted in giving generous gifts to family and charities. In her prime, she hastened to provide chicken soup and help to ailing friends.
Born in 1921 to Sarah & William Mishel, she grew up in Brookline, graduated from Brown University, and lived for more than 60 years in Newton. She leaves three sons: John M. Leventhal (Beverly Hodgson) of New Haven, CT, David M. Leventhal of London, England, and Richard M. Leventhal (Louise Krasniewicz) of Philadelphia, PA; three grandsons, Adam, Daniel and Drew Leventhal; and three great-grandsons. She also leaves her sister, Audrey Cooper, and ten nieces and nephews. She was especially close to nieces Marion Pollock and Ranny Cooper and her friends Sonia Abrams and Billie Rosoff.
Due to the current health crisis, funeral arrangements will be limited to the immediate family.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Temple Shalom of Newton, www.templeshalom.org or Planned Parenthood, www.plannedparenthood.org would be a welcome memorial.
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