32 | August 7, 2015
OBITUARIES
ragansett Bay and taught Power Squadron Boating and Navigation courses for many years. He was the father of William Haas, Meredith Cox, Kenneth Haas, Steven Haas, Sheila Sepe, Georgia Rossi and Jeffery Haas; a grandfather of 19 and great-grandfather of 26. He was the brother of the late Meyer Haas, Ethyl Crovitz and Evelyn Minken. Contributions in his memory may be made to the charity of your choice.
Israel and a proud Jew. She is survived by her children, Gershon Levine and his wife Rabbi Andrea M. Gouze; and her grandchildren Eitan, Daniella, Nili and Aurora. Contributions in her memory may be made to Temple Emanu-El.
Robin (Koeppel) Karofsky BARRINGTON, R.I. – Surrounded by her loving family, Robin (Koeppel) Karofsky, of Barrington, passed away with grace and courage and a heart filled with gratitude, at the age of 51. She was the beloved wife of John, devoted mother of AJ, cherished daughter of Susan and Howard Koeppel, adored daughter-in-law of Ken and Joan Karofsky, dear sister of Seth and his wife, Stacy Koeppel, and Jody Flaxman; sister-in-law of Rob and Ann Karofsky. She is also survived by many nephews and a niece, and several dedicated and loving cousins. She had no greater joy than being with her husband, son and dogs, especially on Sebago Lake or Long Sands Beach. For many years, she was a much respected and supported member of the Human Resource department at Hasbro Inc., where she created an internship program. She leaves many caring friends there, and in her personal life. Contributions may be made to Hasbro Children’s Fund (Robin Karofsky on memo line), 1027 Newport Ave., Pawtucket, R.I. 02861.
Eleonora S. Krasnova, 77 SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Eleonora S. Krasnova of Overlook Circle, Smithfield, died July 19 at home. She was the wife of Vladimir Vilner for almost 60 years. Born in Minsk, Belarus, a daughter of the late Sergey Krasnov and Khaya Dinaburskay, she had lived in Riga, Latvia, before immigrating to the U.S. in 1992. She was a civil engineer. Devoted mother of Sergey Krasnov of Cranston and Oleg Vilner and his wife Elina of Oldbridge, N.J. Sister of Inessa Krasnova of Smithfield. Grandmother of Matthew, Nicholas and Valeriya. Contributions in her memory may be made to your favorite charity.
Marilyn “Mickie” Levine, 80 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Marilyn “Mickie” Levine died July 18. Born in Haifa, the daughter of the late Nisson and Leah (Schwartzbardt) Bober, she had been a resident of Rhode Island since 2007. She was a graduate of Yeshiva University High School for Girls in Brooklyn, N.Y. She was a member of Temple Emanu-El, a lifelong Zionist and supporter of
Roberta Nahigian Cohn, 63 CRANSTON, R.I. – Roberta Nahigian Cohn died July 23 at Eleanor Slater Hospital, Cranston. She was predeceased by her husband, the late Ralph Nahigian. She was born in Providence, daughter of Shirley E. Cohn of Warwick and the late Jerry Cohn. She was a graduate of Cranston West High School and attended college in Boston. Prior to her illness, she was an area manager for Princess House in California. Besides her mother, she is survived by her sister, Susan (Edward) Sweeney of Wakefield and a brother, Larry (Mary) Cohn, of Menlo Park, Calif., and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Upon her return to R.I., she was an active participant in and recognized artist by the United Cerebral Palsy Adaptive Arts Program. Contributions can be made in Roberta’s memory to the United Cerebral Palsy Adaptive Arts Program, 200 Main St., Suite 210, Pawtucket, R.I. 02860.
Muriel J. Perlman WARWICK, R.I. – Muriel J. Perlman of Tamarisk died July 24 at Tamarisk surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of the late Cantor Dr. Ivan E. Perlman. They were married for 67 years. Born in New York, N.Y., an only child, and daughter of the late Thomas R. and Sophie (Adelstein) Herman, she had lived in Boca Raton, Fla., and Providence, before moving to Warwick eight years ago. Muriel was a charter member of West Bay Community Jewish Center, a former member of Temple Emanu-El in Providence and its Sisterhood, Temple Beth Kodesh in Boynton Beach, Fla., Tifereth Israel Synagogue in Des Moines, Iowa, and the former Jewish Home for the Aged in Providence. She was past president of the Jewish War Veterans Women’s Aux. in Des Moines. Devoted mother of Rabbi Eli Perlman and his wife Lynne of East Brunswick, N.J., Cantor Emanuel Perlman and his wife Janice of Baltimore, Md., Rabbi Richard Perlman and his wife Kit of Coventry, and Cantor Josh Perlman and his wife Sherri of Germantown, Md. Loving grandmother of 13 and great-grandmother of eight. The mitzvah of giving a charitable contribution can be fulfilled by donating to: The Jewish Seniors Agency of R.I., 100 Niantic Ave., Providence, R.I. 02907;
The Jewish Voice The Phyllis Siperstein Tamarisk Assisted Living Residence 3 Shalom Drive, Warwick, R.I. 02886; West Bay Community Jewish Center, 2 Brenda Drive, Coventry, R.I. 02816 or the charity of your choice.
Otilia “Tanya” Plungyan, 101 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Otilia “Tanya” Plungyan passed away July 10. She was the wife of the late Aron Plungyan. She was born in Romania, a daughter of Ilya and Betty Copolovich; she had been a resident of R.I. since 1979. She was a member of Temple Emanu-El, the Jewish Community Center, and for many years served as president of the former Golden Age Club. She was an active volunteer for the elder Jewish community in R.I. She was recognized for her volunteer services by both Mayor Paolino and Mayor Cicilline. She is survived by her daughters Sophia Friedman and Ella Levin; grandchildren Ilya, Judy and Gabriella; and great-grandchildren Zachary, Aaron, Talia and Sarina. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Jewish Community Center, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, R.I. 02906.
Frances B. Pomarantz, 86 POMPANO BEACH, FLA. – Frances B. Pomarantz died June 5. She was a graduate of Hope High School in June 1946. Born in Providence, she was the beloved wife of the former Norman Pomarantz, the daughter of the late Jack Berman and Ruth (Mayberg) Berman. She lived in Florida for more than 25 years after leaving Hyannis, Mass. She is survived by her daughters, Joyce Snelgrove of Charlotte, N.C. and Brenda Stern of Bedford, N.Y. She also leaves four grandchildren: Jason, Rachel, Sarah and Zackary. She was the sister of the late Shirley Bartleman. She is also survived by beloved cousin, Florence L. Delerson of Pompano Beach, Fla.
Ira J. Port, 97 WEST WARWICK, R.I. – Ira J. Port died July 11 at West View Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, West Warwick. He was the beloved husband of the late Sally (Silverman) Port. Born in Providence, a son of the late Louis and Sadie (Chorney) Port, he had lived in Warwick since 1984. He was the owner of Port Press for more than 25 years, retiring in 1984. As a child, he enjoyed being a member of the Boy Scouts and became a Life Scout. Devoted father of Sharon Birenbaum of Alpharetta, Ga., and her late husband, Sheldon, and the late Myron and Barry Port. Dear brother of the late Mary Zisserson and Estelle Goldman. Loving grandfather of Rhonda Birenbaum and Fredda Schwarz. Cherished great-grandfather of Benjamin and Samuel. Contributions in his memory
may be made to your favorite charity.
Dr. Richard Allan Robin, 78
JAMESTOWN, R.I. – Dr. Richard Allan Robin, “Lucky 13”, died surrounded by those who love him in the home he loved in Jamestown, R.I., on the 4th of July. He is survived by the great love of his life, his wife Loretta, to whom he had been married for 48 years; the children he adored, Seth I. Robin, Jeremy T. Robin, Allison S. Robin; his daughters-in-law Michele Wisch Robin and Allison Simon Robin; and grandchildren Alec, Hunter, Mia and Grant Robin. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. to Ben and Lily Robin alongside brothers Noel, David and George, he forged a path as a selfmade man, perpetual student, and lifelong learner and lover of life, and did everything with his famous sense of humor. After putting himself through medical school, he spent the next 20 years building a private practice as a doctor of internal medicine before going back to a residency at Harvard University to become a psychiatrist and establish a private practice in Westerly. He possessed a deep love of learning and returned to school in his 60s to get a master of public health from Boston University and an MBA from University of Tennessee. He was a clinical assistant professor at Brown Medical School for 19 years. Donations may be made to the Rhode Island Cancer Society.
Esther Rothberg, 102 PHOTO WARWICK, R.I. – Esther Rothberg of Warwick and Cranston died at Cherry Hill Nursing Home, Johnston, on July 13. She was the wife of the late Maurice Rothberg. Born in Providence, the daughter of Samuel and Etta (Pollack) Millman, she attended Rhode Island College, graduating in 1934 with a bachelor’s degree in education. She taught in the Providence and Warwick school systems for 32 years before retiring in 1979. She was a member of Temple Torat Yisrael, World Jewish Congress, Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., Retired Teachers of R.I., Warwick Retired Teachers, Cranston Senior Guild, and Warwick Social Seniors. She was predeceased by her husband of 37 years, Maurice Rothberg; her son, Dr. Kopel Rothberg; sisters, Rose Millman Freedman, Beatrice Millman Fishbein; and brother, Max I. Millman. She is survived by her son, Rabbi Samuel Rothberg (Sharon), of Hollywood, Fla.; daughter-in-law, Sharron Rothberg, of Smithfield, R.I.; grandchildren, Elana Helring (Lance) of Miami Beach, Fla., Hilary Rothberg of Miami, Fla., Jeremy Klein (Lani) of Plantation, Flor-
ida, Zachary Rothberg (Sara) of Jerusalem, Israel, Marcus Rothberg of Jerusalem, Israel, and five great-grandsons and four great-granddaughters. Contributions can be made to The Parkinson’s Foundation.
Nina Pearl Scheftel Salter, 95 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Nina Pearl Scheftel Salter died July 24. Beloved wife of Lester Herbert Salter, who died in 2013, and sister of Vera, who also died. She was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. to Russian immigrant parents Frances and George. She was married to Lester on September 15, 1951. Her life was defined by her generosity, creativity and her vivacious personality. She loved the arts and read and wrote poetry her entire life. She volunteered at Rhode Island Hospital for many years and also worked in advertising. She was a member of the Barker Players and performed in Guys and Dolls, Burlesque, and Kind Lady, among others. She also performed at the Green Room, where members of the Players tried out innovative acts, radio plays, cabaret or pieces written by other members. She produced the show “Artists Rhode Island” on local access cable TV. She chose her subjects and interviewed a wide range of artists, from painters and visual artists to actors, designers and musicians. Her work for this program was recognized with an award. She is survived by daughter Ellen Lee Salter Wallstrom and her husband Petter Wallstrom. Donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Foundation or Providence Animal Rescue League.
Marilyn Smith, 89 HAGERSTOWN, MD. – Marilyn Smith died July 12. She was the beloved wife of the late Jack I. Smith. She was born in McKeesport, Pa.; a daughter of the late Joseph and Bertha Goldblatt. She was a 1948 graduate of Temple University, with a degree in marketing and business. She is survived by her children Shella Katz and her husband Bruce and Morris L. Smith and his wife Catherine; siblings Sidney Goldblatt, M.D. and David Goldblatt; grandchildren Abby, Jacklyn, Celia and Jerry; and four great-grandchildren. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Talmudical Academy of Baltimore, 4445 Old Court Road, Pikesville, Md. 21208 or Bikur Cholim of Baltimore, 2808 Steele Road, Baltimore, Md. 21209.
Dr. Edward Spindell, 87 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Dr. Edward Spindell died at Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center. He was the beloved husband of Judith OBITUARIES | 33