BANGOR – Irene Frances Chotiner nee Pustilnik, 86, died late Wednesday July 15, 2009, in Bangor from complications arising from surgery to repair a fractured hip. Prior to the recent injury, Irene was in good health and good spirits, benefiting from the care of Dirigo Pines, Orono, where she lived for two-and-a half years, and her daughter Terri Lewis, of Bangor. Irene was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and lived much of her youth and adult life in New Jersey. She was a graduate of Columbia High School, Maplewood, N.J. She worked as a dental assistant, and in 1945 Irene married Jack Chotiner of Irvington, N.J. Irene and Jack had three children-two daughters and a son, but sadly, Jack died after only 13 years of marriage. Ever courageous and resilient, Irene continued in her career in dentistry and went on to hold positions as an administrative assistant with a number of firms and with the New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles. Irene founded the Springfield chapter of Hadassah – a women’s Zionist organization – and served numerous terms as president, even into her elder years. She was a talented singer and spent a season with the Robert Shaw Chorus, in addition to participating in the choir of Temple Beth Ahm, Springfield, and entertaining at Hadassah fundraisers. Irene moved to Maine in 2006 and, because of her enjoyment of nature and the companionship of her daughter Terri, said that she wished she’d moved to the state sooner. Irene is survived by her daughter, Terri Lewis and husband, Don, of Bangor; Meredith Jaffe and husband, Jerry, of Loudon, Tenn., and Michael Chotiner and wife, Melissa, of Takoma Park, Md. She leaves grandchildren, Anya, Gabe, Jacob, Miriam, Ella and Julia; and great-grandchildren, Jonah, Caleb, Azaryah, Aden and Aleeza. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, July 17, at Congregation Beth El, 248 French St., Bangor, with Rabbi Darah R. Lerner, officiating. Interment will be at Beth El Cemetery, Bangor. Visitors are welcome at Terri and Don Lewis’ home after interment Friday, and again on Sunday afternoon from 1-4 p.m. Those wishing to remember Irene in a special way may send gifts to the American Cancer Society, One Main St., Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086. Services by Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com
IRENE FRANCES CHOTINER
