Theodora (Josephson) Alpert

Theodora (Josephson) Alpert, 92 years of age, of Avon, CT, formerly of Ridgefield, CT and New Rochelle, NY passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 2, 2020. She was the widow of Norman Alpert. Born in New York, NY, she was the daughter of the late Philip and Irene (Suchow) Josephson.

Theodora, or Theo, Teddy, or ‘Bubs’ as she was known to close friends and family, was a graduate of New York University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Philosophy. It is a curious thing that Theo passed away in the early morning hours of 02/02/2020. Her love of numbers, puzzles, and synchronicities would have made this palindrome date a special one indeed.

Theo would want us to think of this not as a death notice, but as a ‘life’ notice – a celebration of a life well-lived.

Theo was an incredibly warm, strong, and generous spirit. Whether being a loving and supportive spouse to our Dad for more than 30 years, creating special memories with her children and grandchildren, or helping a friend in need, Theo was always there to lend a hand or an ear. And she was the consummate hostess. She enjoyed cooking, baking, setting a nice table, and making family and friends feel welcome in her home. Her pot roast, her meatballs and latkes were legendary. Her children and grandchildren always knew that when they came to visit there would be a warm meal and a warm heart waiting for them. She had a special place in her heart for the family dogs too – her own Misty was a constant companion over 17 years and she had a special fondness for her ‘granddogs’ – caring for them as if they were her own.

Theo had a special passion for intellectual pursuits and one of her favorite pastimes was reading – her diverse library included books on philosophy, art, and history, and she especially enjoyed a good mystery. She was a frequent visitor to the Avon Free Public Library where she volunteered her time and actively participated in the Library’s programs to bring books to homebound readers. Theo was a dedicated, longtime volunteer in her children’s schools where for many years she tutored students and helped them to improve their mathematics abilities. She was active in supporting causes to bring more resources and funding to New Rochelle public schools.

More than anything in the world, Theo took enormous pride in her family and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the source of her greatest pride and joy. She enjoyed travel and visiting them took her to all parts of the world. She liked to think of herself as an ‘international bag lady’ – constantly packing and unpacking her bags, following her kids and grandkids to all the places they called ‘home’. She was an easy and avid traveler and enjoyed most her trips to England, Germany and Israel, where her children lived and worked. A special highlight of her frequent travels was accompanying her dear friend Sister Maria to Italy where together they created wonderful memories that stayed with them always.

Theodora will be sorely missed by her children, Don Alpert and his wife Nancy of Sacramento, CA, Judy Gedge and her husband Mike of Hamden, CT, and Laura Dambier of Avon; her sister, Elayne Miller and her husband James of Westwood, MA; four grandchildren, Ben Alpert and his wife Sylvana, Gil Alpert, Sam Gedge and his wife Lauren, and Grace Dambier; and four great-grandchildren, Naomi, Adam, Zöe and Hazel, as well as her nephews, their families, and many friends too numerous to mention here.

A private family graveside service is planned for Thursday, February 6th at Sharon Gardens in Valhalla, NY with Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Theodora Alpert’s name to the Friends of the Avon Library, 281 Country Club Road, Avon, CT, 06001 or to the Avon Dog Shelter, c/o Avon Police Department, 60 West Main Street, Avon, CT 06001. In the case of the latter, checks should be made to ‘Town of Avon’. In the memo section reference ‘To benefit the Avon Dog Shelter / in memory of Theodora Alpert’.

The family welcomes you to sign the memory book for Theodora. Please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Theodora Alpert’s name to the Friends of the Avon Library, 281 Country Club Road, Avon, CT, 06001 or to the Avon Dog Shelter, c/o Avon Police Department, 60 West Main Street, Avon, CT 06001. In the case of the latter, checks should be made to ‘Town of Avon’. In the memo section reference ‘To benefit the Avon Dog Shelter / in memory of Theodora Alpert’.