Leatrice (Lee) Abrams

Leatrice (Lee) Abrams

ABRAMS: Leatrice (Lee) Abrams, died peacefully at her home in Oakland, Calif., on February 26, 2017. Born to Esther and Markus Klein on July 29, 1927, Lee was the beloved wife for 68 years of Harry Abrams; cherished mother of daughters Ilene Abrams (Rick Ayers), Sally Abrams (Lynne Eggers) and Miriam Abrams; devoted bubbe of Sonia Abrams, Max Abrams, and Esther Robinsun-Abrams, and sweet great-grandmother of Ada and Everett Abramoss. She was particularly close to nephew David Levenson (Debbie) and niece Laura Levenson (Jon Falk). She is pre-deceased by her dear sister Bernice Levenson. Lee graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Pittsburgh in 1948 at a time when few women majored in science. She married shortly after graduation and soon became a fulltime homemaker, devoted to her family as a loving mother and wife. As her children grew older, she returned to the lab, working at Mellon Institute and then earning a doctorate in biochemistry in 1984 from Carnegie Mellon University. She worked, went to school and continued to run the household all at the same time. After her retirement, she helped her family, friends and community in many acts of kindness and generosity. Lee loved to laugh, shop for a special something for her husband, daughters or grandchildren, bring a delicious homemade pie or cake to a friend or extended family member, or hold someone’s hand when they needed comfort. Four years ago, Lee and Harry left their many friends and extended family and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to be with their daughters and grandchildren who had been living there for about 40 years. While they missed their life in Pittsburgh, Lee and Harry delighted in being together with children and grandchildren, and were thrilled with the birth of two great-grandchildren. After a slow decline over the past few years, Lee passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her daughters and husband. Donations in Lee’s memory can be made to Jewish Family and Community Services East Bay.  jfcs-eastbay.org. 2484 Shattuck Avenue, Ste. 210, Berkeley, CA 94704.

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