Lorna (Mandell) Shapiro of Needham, formerly of Philadelphia, Springfield and Brookline, on Sunday, March 29, 2020. Beloved wife of the late Sidney Shapiro. Loving mother of Judy Shapiro & her husband Brian Nadler, Alisa Shapiro & her husband Jay Cashook, Michael Shapiro & his wife Peggy Stafford, and the late Debbie Sher. Cherished bubi of Rachel, Matthew and his wife Sarah, Joshua and his wife Shelby, Toby, Sam, Nathan, and Delilah.
Lorna Mandell Shapiro knew what she believed in and fought doggedly to defend it. “Leyalah” grew up in South Philly, the daughter of a doting grocer and a mother who “knew from” music lessons. Graduating Girls High with deep friendships and a lifelong enthusiasm for Latin, Lorna engaged early and often in liberal politics, campaigning in 1948 for Henry Wallace’s Progressive Party. A bachelor’s degree in Education from Temple University launched a career in teaching and social service. At Springfield Day Nursery, Lorna created a refuge for abused and neglected children, insisting that the school must feel, more than anything, like a home. She earned her master’s degree in Counseling at age 52, taking on a new role at Community Teamwork, Inc. in Lowell as Director of Social Services. In Lorna’s final post at CTI, capping 25 years, she helmed a new program with an altogether suitable name: One Family Scholars.
Family meant everything to Lorna. She and Sidney wed in ’52 and were happily joined by Debbie the following year. During a two-year stint in Europe, Lorna relied frequently on creative use of Yiddish (and Latin!). They settled in Springfield, Mass. and set to building a lovely home together on Firglade Avenue, where they raised four kids (and a sweet beagle). Later, it was on to Brookline, and then to Needham. In every setting, at birthdays and seders and holiday gatherings, Lorna’s eyes shone with intelligence, humor, and musicality.
Private graveside services will be held at Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation (www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org) or Mazon (www.mazon.org).
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