Deborah Rose Bronitsky

Born in Providence, Rhode Island, she was the daughter of the late Gladys, (Chernack), Kapstein and Sherwin J. Kapstein. She was the dedicated and beloved mother of Molly Kapstein Cote, (ne Bronitsky), and Max K. Bronitsky. She was the loving grandmother of Abigail Rose Cote, with whom she shared a middle name. She is also survived by her brothers, Jeremy A. Kapstein and Daniel J. Kapstein and his two sons, Zachary and Jacob, Deborah’s nephews who brought her much joy. She loved her family and was devoted to them entirely.

Deborah was a product of the Providence Public School System, graduating from Hope High School where she was a football and hockey cheerleader- a leader among her fellow cheerleaders on the sideline as the only one who understood the game- as well as a gifted cellist and member of the Rhode Island All State High School Orchestra. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Rhode Island before receiving a Masters of Education from Brown University. After completing the Masters Program at Brown, Deborah began her teaching career as a fifth grade teacher in the Barrington Public School System before teaching English and Social Studies at Meadowbrook Junior High School in Newton, Massachusetts. She retired from teaching in 2006 after serving as a permanent substitute teacher at Newton North High School. She was last a resident of Little Compton, Rhode Island. Her marriage to Leonard, the pair known as Debbie and Lenny to their family and friends, which was due in part to Deb’s vast knowledge of Jazz music and sports, spanned many decades and was defined by there complete devotion to one another. It was filled by both happy and exciting times, as well as challenging periods that their love for one another helped them overcome. Deborah’s life was marked by deep and lasting friendships reaching back to to her early childhood. Her friends are a testament to the caring and supportive person she was. She loved her children unconditionally and imparted to them, among many things, her unmatched, classic sense of style and her determined strength to the end. From her parents, who were both civil rights activists and respected community leaders in education and the Rhode Island Jewish Community, Deborah learned the importance of public service to which she dedicated her time, raising her family in Newton. She worked to improve public education through service to the Parent Teacher Associations at her children’s schools, as well as local politics and her political activism. Debbie will best be remembered for her fantastic and contagious sense of humor, her extraordinary personality that changed the dynamic of any room she entered, and finally by her incredible strength.

A Graveside Service will be held on Monday, November 20, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Lincoln Park Cemetery, 1464 Post Road, Warwick, Rhode Island.

In Lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the NEARI Children’s Fund,99 Bald Hill Rd, Cranston, RI 02920 or HopeHealth Hospice, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904.