Cooperstein, Myrna Lee (White) 74 years of age of Rockville, MD, formerly of Chelsea, MA, beloved wife of Dr. Gerald Cooperstein for 52 years, daughter of the late Max and Bessie White. Devoted mother of Jeffery Cooperstein and his wife Tawnya, David Cooperstein and his wife Alisa and proud grandmother of Max and Grace. Myrna passed away on January 14, 2017 of complications following planned routine surgery. She graduated Simmons College in 1964 with a B.S in psychology and Boston College in 1966 with Master of Social Work Degree. She worked in the Social Service Department of the Massachusetts General Hospital until she moved to MD in 1971. While raising her sons, she volunteered extensively for her neighborhood pool association, her children’s elementary and high schools, B’nai Israel Temple, and from 1980 to 1990 worked part time operating the Washington office of a national speaker’s bureau. She joined Leisure World of Maryland Corp retirement community in 1990, first as a social worker and later as the social work supervisor overseeing a social work program providing support for independent living residents and their families. In addition, in the last 20 years she became heavily involved with helping the larger community of senior citizens in the Washington Area.
For more than 17 years, Myrna Cooperstein helped lead the Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington (JCA). In 1999, she joined the charity's Board of Directors, and recently became a JCA Trustee. She was a member of the JCA Adult Day Committee, chairing it for eight years. Under Myrna's leadership, JCA expanded its Misler Adult Day Center in Rockville, MD, established caregiver support groups, and the Gorlitz Kensington Clubs.
Myrna served on the Montgomery County, MD Commission on Aging (COA) from March 2010 to January 2016. She was elected by her COA peers as an officer, and served as the Secretary. She chaired the Health and Wellness Committee, and served on the Executive Committee and the Nominating Committee. Since her retirement from the COA, she was a member of the COA alumni group.
Funeral Services will be held at the Torf Funeral Service, 151 Washington Avenue, Cary Sq., Chelsea, MA on Thursday, January 19th at 11AM. Interment in the Lynn Cemeteries, Lynn, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations to her memory may be made to the Jewish Council for the Aging-12320 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, MD 20852-www.accessjca.org or the charity of your choice. Details for a Celebration-of-Life memorial service to be held in the Washington Area will be announced later. Visit www.torffuneralservice.com for guestbook and directions.