Obituary of Florence Shafran

Canton, Massachusetts – Florence (Seiden) Shafran, formerly of Dennis, MA and Morristown, NJ, died at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston on September 21, 2025, after a brief illness, 19 days shy of her 100th birthday.

Florence was born on October 10, 1925, in Brooklyn, NY, and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1943.  After high school, she worked as a bookkeeper on Wall Street in New York, as well as in the New York garment industry.

She met her husband Sidney Shafran in 1946, and they married on September 6, 1947.  They were married for 62 years until his death in 2010.

Florence moved to Morristown, NJ, after her marriage.  She was involved in her children’s education and the Morristown Jewish Community Center.  She was also a member of Hadassah, as well as a lifelong member of the Workmen’s Circle.

A fearless advocate for her children, Florence was always involved in their educational experiences, routinely volunteering to be part of classroom activities, field trips and special programs.  She was a fierce protector of those she loved.  If anyone crossed her path, they met a relentless and formidable opponent.

As her children grew, Florence returned to work, taking a job as the lunchroom cashier at a local elementary school.  But before long, the school principal, recognizing her kindness with and compassion for the students, offered her a para-professional position, working with disabled children at a nearby Easter Seals Center.  During this time, she decided to pursue an undergraduate degree at Kean College.  It would take several years, while working full-time and caring for her extended family, but in 1976, Florence earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education (along with Pre-school and Elementary certifications), after which she accepted a new challenge at nearby Dover High School.  She spent the next 13 years there working with disadvantaged, special needs youths.

Florence retired in 1990 and moved to Cape Cod, MA.  She spent the next 20 years enjoying the New England lifestyle with Sidney.  She often said that this was one of the happiest periods of her life.  The house on Cape Cod became a special place for her grandchildren.  She was also a member of the Cape Cod Synagogue.

In 2019, Florence moved to the Brightview Senior Living facility in Canton, MA, where she quickly found a new community of friends. There, she spent many afternoons enjoying the programs offered by Brightview, as well as playing Mahjong and card games with those friends. 

To the end of her life, Florence maintained her wits, warmth, good humor and generosity of spirit.  She was a good listener and reliable mentor to friends and family alike, always willing to share her sage wisdom and practical advice, offered with kindness, caring and love.

Florence was pre-deceased by her loving husband Sidney, her devoted parents Harry and Sadie Seiden, her beloved brother Bernard and his wife Faye, her brother-in-law Raphael and his wife Florence, her sister-in-law Ethel and her husband Harold.

She is survived by her three children, Charles and his wife Robin, Melinda and her husband John, Judith and her husband Eric, 5 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and a 4th great-grandchild expected in February of 2026.

A graveside service is being held on Friday, September 26th at 11:00 AM at Beth Israel Cemetery in Cedar Knolls, NJ.  Donations can be made in her honor to Hadassah at Hadassah.org.

Arrangements are under the care of Dangler Funeral Home, Morris Plains, NJ.