Helene Kaufman, 93

Former Woodmere resident enjoyed her family and volunteering

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Helene Kaufman née Popover, of Keene, New Hampshire, was a former hospital administrator who volunteered at her synagogue for 30 years and lived in Brooklyn and Woodmere. She died on Sept. 11, at Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland. She was 93.

Born in Brooklyn on March 28, 1924, she was the daughter of Yetta and Morris Popover. Kaufman graduated in 1942 from Erasmus Hall High School. She attended Hunter College in Manhattan for one year.

Menorah Temple in Brooklyn was where she and Edwin Kaufman were married on June 28, 1944. They were wed for nearly 64 years. Edwin died in 2008.

Kaufman worked at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn for 12 years as an administrative assistant. A member of the Congregation Ahavas Achim in Keene for several years, the Kaufmans were active members of Temple Beth El in Brooklyn, where she served on many committees, boards and social clubs through a 30-year affiliation with the synagogue.

They were also members of Congregation Sons of Israel in Woodmere for 18 years. The couple lived in the Five Towns community from 1980 to 1998 before moving to New Hampshire.

She loved cooking, mah jong, politics, reading and the New York Yankees. Family members said that children, grandchildren and great-granddaughter brought happiness to her life.

Kaufman is survived by her children, Jerrold Kaufman and his wife, Deborah, of Spofford; daughter, Carol Kaufman of Kalispell, Mont.; two grandchildren, Isaac Kaufman and his wife, Kimberly, of Hinsdale and Eleanor Kaufman of New York City; and a great-granddaughter, Maisie Jones Kaufman of Hinsdale. Her sister, Rhoda Turk, and husband, Saul, of Brooklyn; her sister Miriam Parks of Woodmere; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends also survive her.

Her sister, Ruth Harris, and brothers-in-law, Lawrence Parks and Harold Harris predeceased her.

A funeral was held on Sept. 13, at Congregation Ahavis Achim. She was interred at Monadnock View Cemetery in Keene.

Donations in her memory can be sent to Congregation Ahavis Achim at 84 Hastings Ave. Keene, NH 03431.