Sylvia Klion Disenhof, 87, of Windham NH, formerly of Danvers MA and New Jersey, died September 4th after a period of declining health with her family by her side. She was the widow of Lester Disenhof, and daughter of Jack and Rose Klion.
Sylvia was a scholar and a teacher. Raised in Westfield, New Jersey, she graduated with Bachelor and Master’s degrees in foreign languages from Barnard College and Columbia University respectively. After graduation from Barnard, she worked as a translator for an export company, transcribing shipping documents into Spanish, Portugese and other languages. In the early 1960s, she helped to edit a Romanian – English dictionary. Sylvia toured Europe in 1965 researching for her doctoral thesis on Ladino. She taught foreign languages at Riverdell Regional High School in New Jersey, and at Masconomet Regional in Boxford, MA.
Upon her retirement” from Masco in 1975, Sylvia began teaching English to “refusniks” from the former USSR. As a volunteer for the last 28 years, Sylvia has been a teacher to hundreds of students from Russia, China and elsewhere. Many of these students have become close friends and family. She has edited books and articles for her students, and has lectured on subjects from Judaism to Islam.
Sylvia was always active in the synagogues to which she belonged, and in the local and regional chapters of Hadassah. She contributed to countless charitable organizations, and always had a strong instinct to take part, not stand and watch. Sylvia was an avid reader and collected a large library on many subjects, enjoyed attending the theatre and museums. She was a life-long learner.
Lester and Sylvia opened their home to many people over the years, and she counts her family to include many of these individuals. She made a positive difference in their lives, and she was truly proud of everyone’s accomplishments.
Sylvia is survived by her sons and their families, Stephen and Dr. Joanne Hom Disenhof of Mill Valley, CA, and Larry and Gigi (Crossley) Disenhof of Salem, NH. She was very proud of her grandchildren, Corinne, Alexander, Katherine and Jonathan.
Sylvia is also survived by her brothers, Sanford (Marilyn) Klion of Florida, and Dr. Frank (Barbara) Klion of New York and CT; her sister-in-law, Miriam (Harold) Moak of Florida, many cousins, nieces and nephews and many friends worldwide whom we consider family.
The family would like to thank the many caregivers who have aided Sylvia and her family in the last year, including the staffs at Prescott House, Whittier Rehab, Parkland Hospital and Merrimack Valley VNA and Hospice.
A Funeral Service will be Sunday Sept. 7th at 10:30 AM at Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Salem, NH. Burial will follow in Farband Cemetery in Danvers, MA.
The family requests that no flowers be sent. Memorial Contributions may be made to:
Shalom Hadassah, 2 Donna St., Peabody, MA 01960 or Etz Hayim Synagogue, PO Box 1600, Derry, New Hampshire 03038
The family will be observing Shiva at Larry & Gigi’s home, 23 Garrison Rd, Salem, NH on Sun Sept. 7th and Mon. Sept. 8th from 6-8 PM.