Bessie Shapiro

Bessie (Betty) Shapiro passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at Newton Wellesley Hospital. She was born on September 18, 1916 in Saco, Maine to the late Harry Shapiro originally from Radiscovitch Russia and the late Ida (Shuman) Shapiro originally from Vilna Russia. She was sister to the late Jessie (Shapiro) Kessler, Morris Shapiro, Goodall Shapiro, Anne (Shapiro) White, Lena Shapiro, Elliot Shapiro and Miriam (Shapiro) Appelbaum.

In 1929 the family moved back to Boston (where her four older siblings had been born). She lived in Dorchester with her sister Lena and her parents until her mother passed in 1960 and her father in 1961. She and Lena moved to Brookline and she remained there after Lena passed away. She moved to Evans Park in Newton at the age of 99. She was still driving around Brookline at that time.

Betty worked as a private secretary to the owner of a smelting company in Somerville for her whole career until she retired. Her boss, Ben Sachs, also owned some movie theaters and she often gave passes to some of her nieces and nephews.

She was devoted to her Jewish religion and roots. A long time member of Congregation Kehillath Israel in Brookline and a life member of Hadassah.

She loved her many (some daily) phone conversations with her nieces and nephews of several generations and adored all of them. She had an incredible memory that never waned even at the end of her life. The family celebrated her many milestone birthdays. Her 100th celebration had over 60 nieces and nephews of several generations in attendance and many more were not able to attend. Because of covid her 105th birthday was celebrated on the porch of Evans Park with a few in attendance and many on Zoom.

A graveside service will be held at Lindwood Memorial Park 497 North Street, Randolph, MA on Monday, January 24th at 1 p.m.

Remembrances of her life may be made to the Hadassah Organization 1320 Centre Street, Ste 205, Newton Centre, MA 02459 http://www.hadassah.org/