Paula F. (Freedman) Wasser

Paula F. Wasser, 97, of Scranton, passed away.

Born in Scranton, she was the daughter of the late Samuel and Gertrude Lehman Freedman. Paula graduated from Scranton Central High School and Keystone College. She pursued a career as her husband’s partner in a furniture business that was a local institution until her husband’s passing in 1987.

Mrs. Wasser’s contributions to the community span many areas, but each of her commitments provided assistance to people most in need of her special skills. She has participated in the former Scranton Pocono Girls Scout Council (presently Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA) as both a troop leader and Board member. Her leadership in the area has extended to terms of service on   the Board and Executive Board of the YMCA, the United Way of Lackawanna County Board, and as a grass–roots organizer of VISTAS, The Volunteers in Service to Allied Services.

Paula’s commitment to Judaism and its institutions prompted her to become involved in programming and leadership roles at both Temple Hesed and Temple Israel. At Temple Hesed, she served in many capacities, including teacher of 6th grade in the religious school, Administrative Vice President and past President of the temple sisterhood, as well as Board member and nominating committee chairman. Paula also served on the Executive Board of the District 5 of the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods, (now known as Women of Reformed Judaism) and as Editor of the newsletter and program chairperson.

At Temple Israel, Wasser served a term on the Board of Directors, and as Chairman of the Nominating Committee. Active at the Jewish Community Center, she has served as a Board member, and chaired the nominating committee, women’s programming and membership committees. An Executive Board member of the Jewish Federation of NEPA, she has twice co-chaired the Women’s Division of the campaign.

Jewish Family Service has benefitted from Paula’s presence throughout the years. She has chaired all of the standing committees including personnel, by-laws, annual meeting and nominating. Twice named as Vice President, she served as President from 1998-2000, and presently is a Life Board Member.

Surviving are daughters, Lisa Wasser and husband Michael Berlin, Montclair, NJ, and Suzanne Fischer, Highland Park, NJ.; grandchildren, Theodor Fischer and wife Dr. Nachama Fischer, Julia Berlin and Anna Berlin, and Miryam Ginsburg and husband Naftali; great-grandchildren, Chana T., Binyamin M., Chaim A., and Dovid E.

A funeral service by Rabbi Daniel Swartz will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore.

Interment, Temple Hesed Cemetery, Dunmore.

There will be no public visitation.

Shiva will be held on Monday from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. and Tuesday evening 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at Elan Gardens Senior Living, 465 Venard Rd., S. Abington Twp., PA 18411.

Memorial donations may be made to the Jewish Family Service of NEPA, 615 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA 18510, or Elan Gardens Senior Living, 465 Venard Rd., S. Abington Twp., PA 18411.