Obituary of Selma H. Kaplan

Selma Kaplan passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 Selma was born in New York City. She was the sister of Edith, Helen and Sol, each of whom predeceased her. Selma moved to Schenectady to marry her beloved William Kaplan who was introduced to her by a good friend from Hunter College. (William's cousin.) Selma was a graduate of Hunter College. Professionally and personally Selma was a teacher. Professionally as a teacher she touched and changed the lives of countless children and their families with her knowledge and her caring. She was employed by the South Colonie School District as an elementary school teacher. She also taught in New York City. Personally she taught even more of us about caring, kindness, generosity and life. Looking for every opportunity to help others, she volunteered, serving meals to HIV positive patients and did all she could for her beloved synagogue, Agudat Achim, in Schenectady. She also was always a student as she loved to learn, whether asking questions and learning from others or attending elder hostels. She was extremely proud of her B'Nai Mitzvah studies and celebrated the completion of her Bat Mitzvah at age 72. Selma loved music, theater, travel, politics, culture, people, cooking, baking, the Yankees and much more. She made it clear to everyone that she was "Proud to be an American." She had a wonderful sense of humor, and she had a gift for language and writing. Most importantly, Selma loved her family. Her husband was the love of her life. Her children were her pride and joy. Selma absolutely delighted in her grandchildren and told everyone that hers were the best grandchildren anyone ever had. She was an intelligent, humorous, kind, giving, ethical and principled person who was loved and will be missed by so many. Selma is predeceased by her husband William. She is survived by her daughter, Ava (Robert) Brook, son Marc (Susan Milstein) Kaplan, and cherished granddaughters Alanna Brook and Elena Kaplan. Services at the Levine Memorial Chapel, 649 Washington Avenue Albany on Sunday January 29, 2012 at 1:00pm. Interment will follow in the Agudat Achim Cemetery in Rotterdam, NY. The period of mourning will be observed at the residence of Marc Kaplan, Susan Milstein and Elena Kaplan, 6 North Sage Hill Lane, Menands, NY 12204 on Sunday from 5:30 -8:30pm and on Monday from 4:00 -8:00pm with a minyan service both evenings at 7:00pm. Those wishing to remember Selma in a special way may make a memorial contribution to the Gert Prager Music Fund of Congregation Agudat Achim, 2117 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12309 or the Alzheimer's Association of Northeastern New York, Pine West Plaza, Building 4, Suite 405, Albany, New York 12205.