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Funeral Schedule

Mrs. Estelle Gross

Service: Private Service


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Estelle Ann Eisenstock Gross 11/21/25 of Longmeadow , died on Sept. 20 at Glenmeadow. Daughter of Harry and Lillian Eisenstock and late sister Margaret and brother James and a predeceased brother Jimmie. Born in Springfield , MA she attended Classical High School and went on to get her nursing degree from Russell Sage College ( Albany , NY ). She met her late husband, Dr. Harold Gross when they were kids. He was a physician at Baystate Medical Center , and she a surgical nurse. . She is survived by her only child, Donalyn Gross of Springfield/Longmeadow.
Estelle had many talents- A registered nurse, she was an exceptional artist (oils, sculpture), classical pianist, ice skater, commercial pilot (her husband was also a pilot) and flew their own plane. Both were world travelers often with Donalyn in tow. A horseback rider and instructor at Shallowbrook Stables in Somers , CT , she trained her thoroughbred Pasha and participated in many horse shows. A fearless equestrian, she loved cantering through the fields, as well as riding/training others horses .She was a member of the “Old Ladies Jump Team”. Estelle was a member of the ACLU and the Springfield Teachers’ Union , staunchly defending many political issues and marching for justice. As an English teacher, she was an avid reader, and friends often requested her expertise regarding grammar. Her friends knew never to argue with her about politics! She loved chess, jogging, playing tennis, later went back to school and got her Master’s Degree from AIC, and taught 5th grade in the Springfield School System (DeBerry, Washington St. and Forest Park Jr. High) for 30 years.
Estelle adored all animals of the world (especially cats) and enjoyed feeding the birds, raccoons, deer and anyone else who showed up outside her kitchen. She knew all the neighborhood dogs by name (not their owners). She loved nature (so much she constantly wound up with allergic reactions from exploring unknown plants) all PBS programs, and the whole world. She wasn’t afraid of any new challenges such as hot air ballooning, water skiing in Cuba , exploring Africa and South America with her husband, and later with pal Doris Brodeur, going off on their own without any guides in Africa, China and Alaska . She especially loved being with her daughter, was extremely supportive, proud of Donalyn’s variety of professions in rock bands, teaching at Bay Path University, playing harp for the dying (she used to tell her friends- “If you hear the harp-RUN!”) and supporting many animal agencies. They were best friends- growing up wearing “mother and daughter” matching dresses, modern dance classes, painting classes, going to the Hobby Shop on weekends for new projects, numerous trips to museums in New York, attending Broadway musicals, doing so many things together.
She leaves her daughter, Donalyn, sister-in-law Mildred Eisenstock,, niece Phyllis Eisenstock of Framingham, MA and nephew Marc Eisenstock (Debbie) Marlborough, MA, nieces and nephews, pal/tennis player/teacher/travel buddy Doris Brodeur, wonderful friend Dora McGowan, kind, sweet Chris McMahon (her red-headed Republican), and many friends and animals.
Thank you to all of her friends, EVERYONE- staff and residents at Glenmeadow who knew and worked with mom. Your nurses and aides are amazing!!! (and patient!). Thank you for the incredible staff of Spectrum Hospice. Unbelievable care and compassion! Thank you to Maureen Bernard’s Team (413-557-4163) and her group of the most incredible angel aides. She loved you all!! Her apartment was always filled with such love! Glenmeadow is the most wonderful place to live and Spectrum Hospice is the best!
Her funeral will be private.
Donations may be made to The Elephant Sanctuary, P.O.Box 393 , Hochenwald , TN 38462 , T.J. O’Connor Animal Shelter, 627 Cottage St .. Springfield, MA 01104, Glenmeadow Retirement, 24 Tabor Crossing, Longmeadow, 01106, Shriners Hospitals, Spectrum Hospice 770 Converse St. Longmeadow , or any animal and environmental groups.

Mrs. Florence Lavin

Service: Funeral service 10:00 AM Friday Sept. 23rd at Temple Beth El, 979 Dickinson St., Springfield, MA 01108


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Burial following the service at Beth El Cemetery


After living a long and very full life, Florence Lavin passed away on September 20, 2022. Born on May 1, 1923, Florence was the fifth child of Rose and Benjamin Schwartz and the first to be born in the U.S. Florence grew up in Springfield, MA and graduated from Commerce High School. After graduation, she went to work as a bookkeeper for Daum Baking Company. In 1943 she married her high school sweetheart Joseph Lavin and settled into life as a wife, mother, and homemaker. A few years later, Florence and Joe moved to a new home in Longmeadow and lived there for 42 years while they raised their children and later, became loving grandparents.
In her leisure time, Florence enjoyed bowling, golfing, cooking, shopping, and volunteering for organizations such as Meals on Wheels and the Jewish Nursing Home. She was a lifelong member of Temple Beth El in Springfield. Florence was a “people person”; interested in and friendly to everyone she met and made great efforts to stay connected to relatives who lived both locally and far away. Way before cell phones and the internet, her children remember sitting at the kitchen table after dinner in the evening writing letters to relatives in England, Israel, and Mexico. She had many friends, and got together with them to play Mah Jong, shop, or just to socialize. When her children were adults, Florence decided to go back to work outside the home and took a retail position at Steiger’s Department Store in Holyoke, a bold move for a woman of her generation. She also loved spending time with her grandchildren, and they have fond memories of Grandma taking them clothes shopping when they visited her in Longmeadow and later in Florida. But her greatest joy came from being a mother to her daughters Cynthia, Francine, and Janet. Whenever she met someone, she would make sure to tell them she had “three beautiful daughters”, of whom she was very proud.
Florence and Joe loved spending winters in Florida and bought a home in Boca Raton when Joe retired. After going back and forth between Florida and Massachusetts for several years, they decided to move permanently to Florida where they spent many happy years. After Joe’s passing in 2002, Florence stayed in Florida until she moved back to Longmeadow in 2009 where she has lived for the last 14 years reconnecting with old friends and making new ones at Glenmeadow.
Florence dealt with many obstacles and challenges in her life but always tried to remain positive. She used to tell her girls, “If you’ve got your health, you’ve got everything” and lived by that motto all her life.
Florence is predeceased by her beloved husband Joseph, and her son Martin. She is survived by her daughters Cynthia Berger, Francine Lavin Weaver, and Janet Lavin Grant; her son-in-law Brian Grant; her grandchildren Joshua Berger, Dara Berger, Noah Berger, Shana Weaver, Becca Gan Levy, David B. Weaver, Rachel Saunders, and Lily Grant; and her great-grandchildren Lev Morris, Barak Morris, Judah Morris, Ari Berger, Lyons Berger, Sophia Berger, Avital Gan Levy, Erez Gan Levy, Oren Gan Levy, Julian Weaver-Ulrich, Trevor Saunders, and Paxton Saunders.
There will be a funeral service at Temple Beth El in Springfield on Friday, September 23rd at 10:00 am with burial in Beth El Cemetery. A Shiva service will take place at Glenmeadow on Saturday, September 24th at 7:00 pm.
The family would like to express appreciation to Glenmeadow, Spectrum Hospice, and especially the amazing care givers at Glenmeadow at Home. Thank you for your competence, your caring and for ensuring that our mom was able to age gracefully in place.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Temple Beth El, Glenmeadow, or the American Heart Association.

Mr. Ira Kowarsky

Service: Graveside service 12:00 PM Friday Sept. 23rd at Beth Israel Cemetery, 350 Kings Highway, West Springfield, MA 01089


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Beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Ira Louis Kowarsky passed away peacefully on Monday, September 19th, at the age of 76. He was surrounded by his loving children; daughter Jennifer Kowarsky Mantzios and son Jeffrey Kowarsky (Amy Kowarsky), both of Agawam.
The son of Sidney Kowarsky and Martha (Waldman) Kowarsky, Ira was born in Springfield, Mssachusetts on April 18th, 1946. The eldest of four children, he graduated from Classical High School in 1965 and attended Miami Dade Junior College before returning home to work in his father’s company called Top Flyte Sportswear Cutters. After the family business closed, Ira worked as a distributor at Frank Paper Company for many years. Upon retirement, Ira moved to Fort Myers, Florida and spent the last 9 years living there before moving back to Springfield months ago.
Ira was holding a golf club in his hands by the age of 3 years old and pursued his love of golf throughout his lifetime. As a teenager, and a member of his high school golf team, he could always be seen practicing his putting, chipping, and playing the local Franconia Golf Course. He won numerous championships at Franconia Golf Course and, after joining Crestview County Club, earned the title of Men’s Club Champion, of which he was especially proud. Ira was an avid sports enthusiast and could always be found rooting for the Boston teams, especially the Red Sox, Patriots or Bruins.
Along with his daughter Jennifer and son Jeffrey, Ira is also survived by his 3 grandchildren, Damianos Georges Mantzios, Tessa Rae Kowarsky, and Brody Sayle Kowarsky, his two sisters, Sherrie (Kowarsky) Ebyam of Willits, California and Janie (Kowarsky) Rosen of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and his maternal aunt Ruth (Waldman) Shecrallah. Ira’s younger brother Paul Aaron Kowarsky, may his memory be a blessing, preceded him in death in 1977. He leaves behind many cousins, nieces, and nephews and long term friendships.
Graveside services will be held on Friday, Sept. 23rd at noon at the Beth Israel Cemetery at
364 Kings Highway in West Springfield, Ma.

Lunch will follow services at Kaptain Jimmy’s in Agawam. All are welcome.

Mr. Allan Merriam

Service: Graveside service 11:00 AM on Thursday Sept. 15th at Beth Israel Cemetery 350 Kings Highway, West Springfield, MA


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Allan Merriam was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He left this world on September 12, 2022 at age 78.  His battle with serious medical issues in recent years showed his courage in facing life challenges with a smile and a joke.

He was born to Sara and Samuel Merriam on March 1, 1944 in New Haven, CT.  He was a longtime resident of Springfield, MA before moving recently to Ludlow, MA.  Allan served his country as a member of the United States Army.

As a young man, Allan took a job testing helicopter engines at Avco Lycoming in Stratford, CT.  He then followed his passion of cars as he owned and operated an Arco station.  In 1975 upon closing the station, Allan went to work for Dielectrics in Chicopee, MA where he worked for many years until his retirement.

Allen was President of the Congregation of Beth Israel Synagogue in Longmeadow, MA for many years.  He was an active member of the congregation serving on both the cemetery committee and running the congregation’s weekly bingo.

Allan is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Fredi; a son, Jeremy; a daughter, Becky; a daughter in law, Tina; grandchildren and great grandchildren.   As well as his faithful dog, Penny.

There will be a graveside funeral service at Beth Israel Cemetery on Kings Highway, West Springfield, MA on Thursday, September 15, 2022 at 11:00 am.  The family will be sitting shiva at the home of Jeremy and Tina Merriam, 180 Spikenard Circle, Springfield, MA.  Please make any memorial contributions to Lubavitch Yeshiva Academy of Longmeadow or The Alzheimer’s Society.