Shoshanah was like my “mom away from home” when I went to college with Rachel and her family embraced me for numerous visits. I’ll never forget her the expression on her face when we baked cookies for our dorm-mates & realized we forgot the eggs AFTER we put them in the oven! Yes, we took them out, added the eggs, reshaped them, baked them & shared them. Your parents were wonderful hosts.
Dear Rachel, David, Miryam and Natanya,
I am saddened to learn of Shoshana's passing. Shoshana was a very vibrant individual. Intelligent, hardworking, devoted to her family and community, Shoshana embodded the very essence of what it means to be wife, mother and community leader. Susan Kleit
My cousin Shoshana was the true matriach of her family. She and Al were always devoted to family, always set high standards for herself and her family. I always enjoyed our many visits to Raynham and she watched us all grow up . She received many tributes from her community and all were well deserved and well earned. She will be truly missed.
Dear Rachel & family, I'm so sorry to read about the passing of your mom. My strongest memories are of her as school committee member, synagogue historian, and belter of songs during services.:) As I recall, due to her advocacy, Raynham stopped giving perfect attendance awards, because Jewish kids were penalized for being absent on the high holidays. She was a force to be reckoned with! XO
I'm very saddened to hear of Shoshanah's passing. She was, so to speak, a "distant" relative (2nd cousin of my father, living hundreds of miles apart), but we were always in touch over the course of many decades and we were happy to have had the opportunity to share some family smachot. Zikhronah Livrakha.
David Barth
Shortly after Natanya was born, Shoshana approached me quite disturbed. She told me how upset she was that the baby looked like me . Fortunately Natanya outgrew it. Quite a formidable woman. She will be missed .
Cynthia and Stuart
Shoshanah was my dear departed wife (Suzanne Roth)'s aunt, but she always made us feel like family. For that, I will always remember and cherish her. And she was always kind and inclusive to our daughter Ariel.
Part 2
She loved to tell me the story of how one day Suzanne, who lived at the time in California, showed up at her house, having hitch hiked there. She was such an organized person, that that act deeply amused her. Dear Shoshanah, rest easy.
Shoshanah was my great aunt. My strongest memories of her were staying at her home when I was a little girl with my mom and dad (Sharon and Richard Rose). She always made me feel welcomed and loved. She was the matriarch of our family. A strong, vibrant and beautiful woman who will always be remembered fondly.
Cousin Shoshanah was a special women. I always cherished the letters she wrote to me asking about my family, and particularly writing about the Rothkoff family history. I learned so much about our family history from Shoshanah. I have saved most of her letters and emails to me over the years because they were that special.
Shoshanah was my great-aunt. I remember the way her strength, her devotion to her family and her tireless, formidable intellect always made her the natural center of any gathering. It was a joy for me to get the chance to spend time with her and to hear her stories and perspective. Her absence will be deeply felt.
I have so many memories in my over 40 years of having this amazing woman in my life. This second night of passover, I have the honor of sitting next to Shoshanah for sedar. But what was most memorable for me was watching Shoshanah during this sedar. Her love and knowledge of Judaism was shining through. I always learned something from her, and I will truly miss her.
As my brother, David, pointed out above, we have fond memories of our visits over the years. Shoshanah really was a very special person. Yes, Linda, her love and knowledge of Judaism always did shine through! An amusing story: Last spring, when we saw her in Columbus, she flawlessly recited "A Boston Toast" for us (the old poem about the Lowells and Cabots) with a big smile on her face!
My pleasant and admiring memories of my dear cousin began when she was four years old and I was seven. My mother needed hospitalization and sent me to New Bedford to stay with her sister Sarah, (also Shoshanah's mother.) Not long after I arrived I became seriously ill and the planned short stay lasted over eight months. The Rothkopf family nursed and cared for me, and I was able to return to Manchester a healthy kid. I could never forget the exceptional care and attention I got. In our long lifetime I could discern and admire that Shoshanah inherited all her parents sense of family and caring. God Bless Her. Lovingly, Al Alter
Cousin Shoshanah was a kind, generous, loving, and intelligent woman, who will be missed greatly. Marsha's and my deepest condolences go out to Eric, Joshua, Ellen, Rachel, and their families. May her memory be for a blessing.
I was privileged to meet Shoshanah a number of times at Rothkopf family functions. She was sharp and entertaining still in her late 80s, an enjoyable encounter with her each time. My mother Betty, who died last July at almost the same age, loved the poem she wrote and read for RIchard's 70th birthday. My heartfelt condolences to her wonderful family. Peter De Simone
Shoshanah brought my family into hers for over 40 years. She was a woman full of love, kindness and generosity. As my mother passed away when my children were young, she included them in her life, never forgot a holiday or birthday and a woman who will be missed by many. May her life carry on in in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Will miss you.
Aunt Shoshanah was a dynamic presence in the family as well as in her community. She never missed an opportunity to attend a family function regardless of the distance from her home. She was there for the joyous events as well as the sorrows. She was the preverbal glue that held a family together. I have very fond memories of the many Labor Day celebrations she hosted at her home. The food was abundant as well as absolutely delicious. It you left her home hungry, you wanted to be hungry. As Rachel told her husband David, “Food is very important to my family.” Rest in peace Aunt Shoshanah. You will be missed by everyone that you touched throughout your lifetime.
Shoshana was a force of nature. Her willpower could move mountains. Even as a child I was always amazed by her. I figured that if she willed it, it would happen. And yet, when I visited my aunt/uncle/cousins (her Raynham next-door neighbors), she was always happy to see me and treated me as if I was part of her family. I'll miss her spirit.