ORONO – Judith B. Frankel died unexpectedly Wednesday, May 6, 2009, of natural causes, in her apartment. She was born July 16, 1922, in New Haven, Conn., the daughter of Benjamin and Bella (Dworetsky) Liebman. Judy grew up during the depression in rural Lebanon, Conn., where her family operated a small resort hotel and small family farm. She graduated from University of Connecticut and taught school for one year. She raised her daughter, Sara; and son, David, on a large dairy farm in Lebanon, Conn., with husband, Jack. At a pivotal point in their life, they sold the farm and moved the nearly grown family off to Tehran, Iran, where Jack took on the work of director of the newly established Peace Corps program. Four years later the family moved back to the U.S., settling in suburban Washington, D.C. Aside from year long stays in Brazil and Tanzania, where Jack was involved in agricultural development projects, she lived in the local community of Somerset, Md., for the next 40 years. She immersed herself in community activities and after Jack’s death served many years on the town council. More recently she moved to Maine to be close to her son, daughter-in-law and new grandchild, living and making new friends and acquaintances at Dirigo Pines. She is survived by her son, David Frankel and daughter-in-law, Kathy Lyons and beloved granddaughter, Rebekah; her brother, Harold Liebman; her sister, Ruth Katz; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Jack Frankel; daughter, Sara Frankel; and brother-in-law, Eugene Frankel. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, May 10, at Congregation Beth El, French Street, Bangor, with Rabbi Darah R. Lerner officiating. Interment will be at Beth El Cemetery, Bangor. Gifts in her memory may be sent to United Jewish Appeal, Wilderness Society or Planned Parenthood. A service of Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor.
JUDITH B. FRANKEL
