Lillian Wasserman was Nechama Laber's Grandmother who lived in Natick, MA. until the age of 97. She loved life, her family and her friends.
Here's what Nechama Laber, co-director of the global JGU, writes about her grandmother:
Bubby Wasserman was a true star.
She was a devoted nurse and still took care of elderly people until she was 88 years old. Her life was not easy but she never complained. She always had a kind word and constantly expressed her love and appreciation to those around her. She still cooked shabbos meals and prepared the seder for her whole family until the age of 95 years old. Unfortunately, she had to stop cooking because she had poor vision at the end of her life.
She was so proud of the growth of Chabad of Natick. She would always share the news with me.
I still remember how excited she was to tell me about the new mikvah that was newly dedicated at Chabad.
She loved Hashem and I always remember as a young child waking up and she was sitting at the table wearing her reading glasses with a big english and Hebrew siddur in her hands. She prayed with her whole heart even though she was never taught how to read Hebrew. She came to America after World War One, when she was 9 years old. Back then, only the boys were taught how to read Hebrew. She always told me how lucky I was that I learned Hebrew. She did speak Yiddish and since I was a baby, I loved her Yiddish songs that she sang so joyfully. She loved singing and sang the same songs to her great grandchildren.
She was always so cheerful. When I would phone her, she would joyfully exclaim, "Hello!!!! Nechoma. I am soooo happy to hear your voice." She would always tell me, "You will never know how much I love you. You mean so much to me." Even when she was losing her vision and not feeling well, her mind was extremely sharp. I would call her to encourage her but instead she would always uplift my spirits. She would remember everything I told her and then call to find out how my appointment or event turned out.
Let's all try to be a star by greeting others joyfully, telling our friends & family how much they mean to us and showing others that we truly care about them as my Bubby taught me.
Love,
Nechama Laber
