Fern (Kaplan) Blum

Fern Kaplan Blum, 99, of Scranton, died peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday night at Elan Skilled Nursing and Rehab where she resided for the past year.  Her husband of 35 years, Murray D. Blum, preceded her in death on January 9, 1982.

Born in Binghamton, New York, Fern was the daughter of the late Morris and Marion Goldstein Kaplan.  She moved to Scranton in 1934, was a 1942 graduate of Scranton Central High School, attended Penn State University, and received a diploma from Scranton-Lackawanna College after successfully passing an examination in the Stenographic Secretarial course of study.  Prior to retirement at the age of 86, she worked at the Gad-a-Bout clothing store and Martin’s Hallmark, both in the Viewmont Mall.

Fern was a long-time member of Temple Israel and its sisterhood, Jewish Family Service of NEPA, and the Jewish Home Auxiliary where she served as its corresponding secretary.  She was also on the board of Webster Towers and was named its Volunteer of the Year in 2016. Her favorite pastime was the game of Mah Jongg which she continued playing a few times a week until she was 97. One of her favorite expressions was “You don’t stop playing when you grow old; you grow old when you stop playing!”

Surviving are her daughters, Eileen Coyne, and Susan Connors and husband, former Scranton Mayor Jim Connors; brother and sister-in-law Earl and Sue Kaplan of Florida; grandchildren Liz Connors Hemphill and husband Matt Hemphill, Zac Connors and David Connors; great grandchildren Dr. Maggie Hemphill Maguire and husband Brian, Quinn Hemphill and fiancé Jake MacDonald, Tricia Hemphill, and twins Aylah and Avery Connors, a niece, a nephew., great nieces and great nephews

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by son-in-law, Michael G. Coyne and nephew Stephen Kaplan.

The family would like to thank the staff at Webster Towers, Elan Gardens, Elan Skilled Nursing and Rehab, and Dr. Patrick Connors for their care and compassion.

The funeral will be on Friday from the Carlucci-Golden-Desantis Funeral Home Inc, 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore, with services by Rabbi Miriam Spitzer and Cantor Vladimir Aronzon at 11:00am.

 The family will receive friends from 10:00am until the time of service in the funeral home.

  Interment Temple Israel Cemetery, Dunmore.

  Shiva will be observed at Elan Skilled Nursing and Rehab, 1101 Vine St. Scranton, from 3:30-5:00pm on Friday. Please enter the building on the parking lot side.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Elan Skilled Nursing and Rehab, 1101 Vine St., Scranton, 18510; Temple Israel of Scranton, 918 E. Gibson St., 18510; or the donor’s favorite charity.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.