Justine E. Sipser, 80, of Oswego, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 17th, at St. Luke Health Services, Oswego.
Ms. Sipser was born November 15, 1928, in Brooklyn, NY, to the late Clara Richter, Esq, and Dr. Joseph Richter.
She was educated in the Brooklyn schools as a child and was a proud graduate of Brooklyn College with a major in elementary education, graduating in 1949.
Ms. Sipser started her career teaching elementary education in inner city schools within the New York City School System. Upon her relocation to Oswego with her family in 1967, she was briefly employed in Penfield Library prior to becoming the beloved librarian at Riley School. She could captivate a group of children by reading a story to them and then engaging them in a conversation about it. One of her favorite books was “Sylvester and the Magic Pebble.”
In 1971, Ms. Sipser began attending Syracuse University and graduated in 1974 with a Masters Degree in Library Science.
On a personal note, Ms. Sipser enjoyed many aspects of the fine arts. She was an avid reader. She played several musical instruments, including piano, clarinet and violin. She participated in volunteer bands and musical ensembles to the delight of many audiences. She studied French and Italian. She traveled extensively throughout the United States and internationally. Ms. Sipser was a long-time supporter of the SUNY Oswego Theater Department, WRVO public radio and many charitable organizations.
Ms. Sipser was captivated by Oswego’s part as an American Refugee camp for Jews during the Holocaust. She was a fighter for peace throughout her entire life. She admired Eleanor and Franklin D Roosevelt and many other great political figures who brought out the best in people.
Ms. Sipser had a great sense of humor. She appreciated good jokes. Her famous and true cat and turkey story was legion in Riley School, and everyone agreed that it was important to hear the story from Justine herself to truly appreciate it.
Ms. Sipser is survived by her son, Michael (Ina Batuner) Sipser of Cambridge, Massachusetts; her daughters, Karen (Harry) Fisch of Scarsdale and Laura (Joel) Segel of Needham, Massachusetts; sister, Irma (Elliot) Brunner of Sarasota, Florida; seven grandchildren, David, Rachel, Melissa, Sam, Aaron, Eve and Jesse.
A private funeral will be held. There are no calling hours. Burial was in Congregation Adath Israelat Riverside Cemetery, Oswego. The arrangements were in the care of the Sugar & Scanlon Funeral Home 147 West Fourth Street Oswego.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ms Sipser’s name to the Theater Department of SUNY Oswego or WRVO.
missing or outdated ad config
I remember Ms. Sipser when she FIRST came to Riley school as the librarian. I think she was the first person I ever met with a New Yorker accent. I was a student there and she was always a very kind lady. She always made me welcome in the library and I have no doubt she influenced my love for books.
Many years later, I came back to Riley as an adult and ran into her and she actually remembered me and was even familiar with my career. I was amazed that she was so in tune with her community, though reading about her above, it seems to fit in with how she lived her life. I’m sure she’ll be missed very much. We certainly need people like Ms. Sipser.