Hester Laura Broad

Laura Broad, 84, of Longmeadow, passed away in the presence of her beloved family at Baystate Medical Center after a short illness. She was a graduate of Smith College (MA), where she majored in psychology, and then received a Masters in Education at the University of Bridgeport (CT). She was a devoted 1st grade teacher at Center School in Longmeadow for nearly 30 years. She was an outstanding musician, both a choral singer and pianist. She sang with the Springfield Symphony Chorus for many decades and also the Hartford Chorale. She was a member of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus (the chorus of the Boston Symphony Orchestra) well into her 70s, and had the opportunity to perform under some of the world’s greatest conductors. She had an extraordinary knowledge of chamber music and the classical symphonic repertoire. She loved Mozart, and especially Schubert, devoting herself to learning sonatas and impromptus at the piano. She loved Mahler’s 2nd symphony and romantic operas.

Laura had a deep Jewish identity and visited Israel four times. She was the cantorial soloist at Congregation Ahavas Achim in Westfield, MA for 15 years, and later sang as a High Holy Day soloist at the Keene, NH synagogue (also named Ahavas Achim). She was a devoted member of the alto section of Mak’hela, the Jewish Chorus of Western MA, of which her daughter Lainee is the music director.

Ken Broad was the love of her life, and sadly predeceased her in 2009. She was deeply interconnected with the lives of her family: daughter Elaine (Lainee) Broad Ginsberg and her husband Roye, son Daniel Broad and his partner Wendy Krom, and granddaughter Maya-Grace Ginsberg and her boyfriend Caleb Lovering.

Laura was often known to say that “music is the glue of our family.” She rarely missed a musical performance given by Lainee, Dan, or Wendy (whether near or far away), or a gymnastics meet of Maya’s. Nothing made her so proud as the achievements of her family.

Laura (and Ken) were longtime summertime residents of the Beachwood Community in Stockbridge, MA where Laura could be found much of the time kayaking on her beloved Stockbridge Bowl and attending Tanglewood concerts. After Ken’s passing, Laura endowed a scholarship in his memory for a promising young baritone at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. She stayed in contact with many of these gifted young singers and followed their careers with pride.

Laura is also predeceased by her parents Sylvia and Louis Belsky. In addition to her family, she leaves behind many, many dear friends. She spent several hours every day on the phone with family and friends and had the emotional energy to pour love into all these relationships. She had an amazing gift of making everyone feel that they really mattered to her. Her caring and generosity knew no bounds.

Laura was a lifelong democrat and champion of many causes. She was known to campaign door-to-door and write hundreds of postcards for issues near and dear to her heart.
Funeral Services will be Monday, November 18th at 11:00 am at the Ascher Zimmerman Funeral Home, 44 Sumner Avenue, Springfield, MA. Following the funeral, there will be a graveside service and burial at Sinai Temple Cemetery on Cottage Street in Springfield, MA, followed by a luncheon at Sinai Temple, 1100 Dickinson St, Springfield, MA to which all family and friends are warmly invited.

Shiva will be observed at Laura's home, 59 Stirling Street, Longmeadow, MA:
Monday, November 18th at 7:00 pm
Tuesday, November 19th at 7:00 pm
Wednesday, November 20th at 7:00 pm

and at Congregation Ahavas Achim,
84 Hastings Avenue, Keene, NH:
Thursday, November 21st at 7:00 pm

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Kenneth L. Broad Memorial Scholarship
https://trusted.bu.edu/s/1759/2-bu/giving/interior.aspx?sid=1759&gid=2&pgid=519&cid=1204&appealcode=WEBAGC-TI

or to Mak'hela, The Jewish Chorus of Western MA
https://www.makhela.org/