Raya Schapiro Obituary

Very bright and inquisitive.

Raya and I were teenagers in the Indiana sand dunes. I'm sorry I missed her.

We lived across the street from the Czerners, and I was a friend of Tom’s. When we were in first grade, Raya walked us to school every day. I remember her as beautiful, radiant, and caring—qualities that only intensified as she grew older.

To the Schapiro Family,
Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to meet Dr. Schapiro. However, she did touch my life in an unusual way. My parents were both survivors of concentration camps, and spent their lives in torment and guilt for having survived the unimaginable horrors. We lived in New Haven, and when my sister learned of the Yale project to save the stories of these survivors, she encouraged my parents to participate. Both my parents are gone, but just a few weeks ago I was able to view their tapes made in 1980. I heard stories that had been hidden from me my entire life and was able to see my parents with the eyes of an adult, rather than the child who had lived with these broken people.
She had amazing foresight to work on this project; and I thank her for this gift.
My sincere condolences for your loss.

In 2001 when the circustances of my life had reached overwhelming, my best friend arranged an appointment with her treasured Raya.
I have been a patient on and off--mostly on--until I last saw her at the end of May. Those very singular qualities of hers, the perception, the sincere interest, the much welcomed dark humor not only lead me through difficult times but taught me much about how to think and react and enjoy my life.
The last time I left her office she was so happy about her summer. She told me she'd call me in a month to let me know how she was doing..I told her I thought she'd been a gift from angels...and she told me that was hokum.

Raya's Family,

I am so sorry for your loss. As a former patient and friend of Raya’s (it seemed most of us who walked through her office door were her friends, or were welcomed that way; who could resist her warmth, empathy and motivational asides?), the sadness I feel in her absence is, I know, only a fraction of yours. My heart goes out to all of you.

As a doctor, Raya was truly a life saver, who applied her humanity, encouragement and reliable medical councel to the myriad issues faced by her patients. She wasn't afraid to be forthright with both her personal and professional opinions; more often than not, she was right on target. In the mental health field--in any field, for that matter--you rarely run across a gem as brilliant but un-flashy as Raya.

Tennis was a favorite sport of her's, which we shared. Playing strategies and different approaches to the game occasionally made their way into our conversations. Many more tennis metaphors than Freudian references were lobbed back and forth between us, I am happy to report. We never faced each other on the court, but I'm guessing she had a decent net game.

Raya spoke lovingly and often about her family, always with a twinkle, when it came to her grandchildren.

It was such an honor and a pleasure to have known Raya. She touched so many people with her wise words and gentle humor, and none of us will ever forget her.

To all the Schapiro Family:
Raya gave such wise, loving counsel during my years with her in treatment (from which I never officially graduated.) She was grounded, funny, and hugely life-smart. And I pretty much held onto her for life during two bad depressions. I did have to smile though at the funeral when Tammy quoted Raya's having told her that rather than obsessing about something, she only needed to say to herself, "it will be interesting to see how this turns out." She gave me that same mantra, and that, (with some excellent meds) was a great gift. I also want you to know that the service on Tuesday was such a fulfilling experience. To learn about all the other remarkable prisms of this woman I have loved and respected...I don't know, it was as if you gave her back to all of us for a while. I have kept several of her recent voice mails, and began her book last night (which I can't believe she never mentioned.) I feel honored to have had her in my life. Thank you for sharing her with so many of us.

To the family of Raya,
Raya was truly a unique and amazing individual. I always admired her spirit and enthusiasm...for life.
We met on the tennis courts, and our bond was immediate. Raya and I enjoyed playing together, and encouraging each other..
Joe,
she was always "like a love stuck school girl" playing next to you on the courts! It was cute to watch her make a "good shot", and then hope that "her Joe" had noticed her!

I'm sure that many happy memories of Raya will sustain you during this difficult time.

Dear Schapiro Family,
I am deeply, deeply saddened by the news of Raya's death, after just coming upon her obituary in today's Chicago Tribune.
In the early l980s, after years of having panic attacks, no doctor had any idea what was wrong with me and I had stopped functioning. I was about to give up on life! I was lucky enough to be referred to Raya by my family doctor. She diagnosed me immediately with having a panic disorder, worked with me for a couple of years, prescribed medicine that stopped the attacks and I have led a full, happy life ever since.
Raya was a most extraordinary woman (with whom I remained in touch until a couple of years ago). Her death is heartbreaking.
I send you my most sincere condolences. May Raya's name be a blessing amongst the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

To the family of Dr. Raya Schapiro,

I was a patient of Raya's in the early 1970's, when I was going through a difficult time. She helped me get through this period by being extremely patient and understanding, and I am grateful to have had the honor of knowing her. Ironically, I was thinking about her recently, and then I saw the notice in the paper. I was truly saddened by the loss of such a fine person.

May your family be comforted by all your wonderful memories of her.

Sincerely,

Judi Greenberg
(formerly Judi Handzel)

Dear Dr. Schapiro, Andy, & Tammy,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.

Dr. Schapiro, Tam, and Andy,

Please accept my condolences on the loss of such a remarkable woman! I will always cherish her words of wisdom and sage counsel. For years now, I have been saying that if I ever have a daughter, she will have "Raya" in her name to remember true goodness! Her soul lives on!

-Susan D. Page
(formerly of Flossmoor, IL.; now in Khartoum, Sudan)

Joe & family,
Our deepest sympathies are sent to you, Raya was an amazing force , we feel very blessed to have had a place in her life. we will miss her terribly. She took root in our hearts and will always be a part of us.
Bob and I often admired the love and committment you shared for eachother,what you shared was so incredibly special..enough love for 10 lifetimes.

Bob, Sylvia Becca & Madeleine

We will miss her strength. Happy memories of when we were young.

Dear Dr. Schapiro and family,
Our heartfelt sympathy go out to you on the loss of your wife and mother.
I have great admiration for you as a doctor, you made raising two daughters easier because you were their primary doctor. I also remember your conversations about your wife.
Thank you. The Lucas Family

Raya was an extraordinary individual, combining a keen intellect with a humanistic world view. Her counsel and judgement were flawless her friendship cherished.