Clara G. Lepow

She was the wife of the late Dr. Irving Lepow, who predeceased her in 1996. She is survived by her three children, Deborah Goldstein of Brooklyn, NY, Martha Chaprut of Centerville, MA, and James Lepow of Tucson, AZ, ten grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Clara was born in 1916 to Eli and Sadie Gurvitch and raised in Springfield. She received her undergraduate degree from New York University and her nursing degree from Cornell School of Nursing. She taught nursing at Holyoke Community College and was director of in-service education at the Jewish Nursing Home of Western Massachusetts. She also served as nursing home inspector for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

At 96, our Mom was still as sharp as she was decades before. She had familiarized herself with the Web years ago and enjoyed spending hours online finding information on all her varied interests. A few months ago she went to Boston in order to see her grandson's new condo. And just recently, she hired a personal trainer. With her drive and vitality, we thought she'd reach 100.

Her 53-year marriage brought a lifetime of happiness. She and our father visited many countries, including his university sabbatical in Israel. After seventy years in Springfield, they retired to Cape Cod. They joined Cape Cod Synagogue, and thanks to Clara's outgoing personality, they found a whole new circle of friends. Their retirement years were sweet years, and they both were blessed with excellent health and a loving family.

Memorial service and interment will be at Massachusetts National Cemetery. Shiva minyan will be held Monday and Tuesday evening at 7 pm, March 18/19, at the home of her daughter, Martha Chaprut, 339 Main Street, Centerville.

The great pianist, Arthur Rubinstein, once said that if you love life, life will love you back.

That was our Mom.