Obituary for Maureen Elaine Fritz
FRITZ, Maureen E. 86, of Malden, entered eternal rest on January 11, 2021. She was the loving daughter of the late Esther and John Fritz. Dear sister of the late Donald Fritz and Earle Fritz. Adored aunt of Joanne Kraus, Beth Fritz-Logrea, Jerry Fritz, Joni Fritz, and Robert Fritz, their spouses, grandnieces Rachel, Perri, Skylar, Whitney, and Adara — grandnephews Nicholas and Liam, two great grandnieces Sahrah and Presley — as well as her dear friends Jonathan Finer and Deborah Finer.
Maureen, known to her family as Renee, graduated from Boston University with a degree in theatre. Throughout her entire life, she used her wonderful natural talent as both an actress and singer —whether it be professionally in NYC in her youth — a show at her temple later in her life — or just reading a storybook aloud to the utter delight of a young niece or nephew.
Maureen lived in Mallorca, Spain for several years, where she performed as a nightclub singer — and loved every second of it. Upon returning to Boston, she worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, until her retirement. Really? Retirement? Maureen? No. She immediately went back to work in the office of her synagogue, Temple Tifereth Israel in Malden, where she was the synagogue’s first woman president — leading the congregation with great wisdom, guidance, and kindness. Throughout the years, she also served as president of the Hadassah and Sisterhood, and spearheaded many projects with great success. As a member of the temple choir for many years, Renee’s lovely, rich alto voice rang out for all to hear, and in 2019 at the age of 85, she enjoyed a second Bat Mitzvah.
Maureen was not only talented, she was a voracious reader, curious about the world around her, and able to hold a conversation about any subject under the sun — with anybody under the sun. And did we mention she was hilarious? She was. She loved a good joke, and her belly-laughs were contagious. She found humor everywhere. Years ago, at a temple show, her outrageously funny portrayal of Ima Sarah, spoken in a Yiddish accent, became legendary, and is talked about to this very day.
Maureen will be remembered for so many wonderful qualities — but up there at the top of the list was the love and kindness she bestowed upon her friends and family. If Maureen was your friend — and she was, to just about everybody— you were indeed a lucky person. She would move heaven and earth for you, if she could. And she often did. Everyone was family to Maureen.
As her nephew Jerry Fritz said, “Renee simply defined “gregarious.” She had an outsized-extroverted personality, punctuated with optimism and smiles for all who fell in her orbit.” He recalls a Christmas week he spent with Renee in Mallorca, where she was a translator by day and Bodega singer at night, living a Bohemian life filled with tapas bars, boisterous friends, and serenading tourists with “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” with guitars and maracas. Her welcoming openness to everyone was an infectious kaleidoscope.
Her family and friends are so grateful to have loved — and been loved — by such an extraordinary woman — and are quite sure that at this very moment, she is joyfully singing with the angels.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, services are private. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Temple Tiferet Shalom 489 Lowell Street, Peabody, MA 01960.
Maureen, known to her family as Renee, graduated from Boston University with a degree in theatre. Throughout her entire life, she used her wonderful natural talent as both an actress and singer —whether it be professionally in NYC in her youth — a show at her temple later in her life — or just reading a storybook aloud to the utter delight of a young niece or nephew.
Maureen lived in Mallorca, Spain for several years, where she performed as a nightclub singer — and loved every second of it. Upon returning to Boston, she worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, until her retirement. Really? Retirement? Maureen? No. She immediately went back to work in the office of her synagogue, Temple Tifereth Israel in Malden, where she was the synagogue’s first woman president — leading the congregation with great wisdom, guidance, and kindness. Throughout the years, she also served as president of the Hadassah and Sisterhood, and spearheaded many projects with great success. As a member of the temple choir for many years, Renee’s lovely, rich alto voice rang out for all to hear, and in 2019 at the age of 85, she enjoyed a second Bat Mitzvah.
Maureen was not only talented, she was a voracious reader, curious about the world around her, and able to hold a conversation about any subject under the sun — with anybody under the sun. And did we mention she was hilarious? She was. She loved a good joke, and her belly-laughs were contagious. She found humor everywhere. Years ago, at a temple show, her outrageously funny portrayal of Ima Sarah, spoken in a Yiddish accent, became legendary, and is talked about to this very day.
Maureen will be remembered for so many wonderful qualities — but up there at the top of the list was the love and kindness she bestowed upon her friends and family. If Maureen was your friend — and she was, to just about everybody— you were indeed a lucky person. She would move heaven and earth for you, if she could. And she often did. Everyone was family to Maureen.
As her nephew Jerry Fritz said, “Renee simply defined “gregarious.” She had an outsized-extroverted personality, punctuated with optimism and smiles for all who fell in her orbit.” He recalls a Christmas week he spent with Renee in Mallorca, where she was a translator by day and Bodega singer at night, living a Bohemian life filled with tapas bars, boisterous friends, and serenading tourists with “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” with guitars and maracas. Her welcoming openness to everyone was an infectious kaleidoscope.
Her family and friends are so grateful to have loved — and been loved — by such an extraordinary woman — and are quite sure that at this very moment, she is joyfully singing with the angels.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, services are private. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Temple Tiferet Shalom 489 Lowell Street, Peabody, MA 01960.