Obituary of Vera W. Propp

VERA WINSTON PROPP 1935-2011 Albany, NY. Vera Winston Propp died on January 6, 2011 at age 75. Daughter of Alice and Erwin Winston, she leaves her husband Richard Propp, children Elizabeth and Peter, daughter-in-law Suzanne, grandchildren Rose and Bennett, brother Peter (Carol) Winston, brother-in-law Lawrence (Mancia) Propp, and many other close relatives and devoted friends. Vera was born in Beuthen, Germany on July 26, 1935 and immigrated with her immediate family to this country in 1938. Her family was saved from the Holocaust by an American act of kindness, and her life exemplified that spirit. Educated at the Clark Elementary School and Mary Institute in St. Louis, Vera received a scholarship to Radcliffe College (BA 1957) and completed a Master's degree in reading at the College of St. Rose. For 25 years, she taught remedial reading in Albany, primarily at Philip Livingston Middle School. She retired from classroom teaching in 1991, but continued to be active in the community and, in one of her proudest professional moments, became a published author. The life story of a fellow congregant at her synagogue, B'nai Sholom, prompted a trip to Holland in 1993 to research a book about a young boy who was hidden by righteous Gentiles on their farm during World War II. Vera's fictional account of these events was published for young readers as When the Soldiers Were Gone (1999); it went on to be read by many thousands of schoolchildren and win several awards. In addition to working and raising her family, Vera undertook numerous projects in the service of her community. In 1985, she produced ALL BABIES ARE BORN EQUAL, an educational pamphlet on children and reading, which was widely distributed to new mothers at hospitals locally and in other parts of the country. She then helped develop and obtain grants for a successful literacy program with Whitney Young Health Center in 1992 that is still "going strong" and is now affiliated with ROAR (Reach Out and Read). Vera was also active in the Albany Area Reading Council and the Russian Resettlement project of Jewish Family Services, was a founding member of B'nai Sholom Reform Congregation, and was a previous director of its religious school. For 16 years, she was board secretary for Clowns on Rounds, the regional hospital humor therapy group. Despite her physical limitations of recent years, Vera still enjoyed her reading group, writing, keeping up with her Peach House buddies from Radcliffe, and many happy occasions and everyday moments with her close-knit family, to whom she has always been, and will continue to be, a source of comfort and inspiration. A uniquely talented and motivated person, she will be deeply missed by many. The family extends its heartfelt thanks to Drs. Michael Scher and Daniel Finn and staff for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Healthcare-NOW, 1315 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19107; Hunger Action Network of NYS, 275 State St., Albany, NY 12210; or the Social Action Committee of B'nai Sholom Reform Congregation, 420 Whitehall Rd., Albany, NY 12208. Services at B'nai Sholom Reform Congregation, 420 Whitehall Road, Albany, NY on Sunday, January 9, 2010 at 2:00pm. Interment will follow in the Beth Emeth Cemetery in Loudonville, NY. Shiva will be observed.