Irene (Getzell) Silberstein

Irene (Getzell) Silberstein, 84, adored wife of Allen Silberstein, M.D., for 63 years, passed away on July 1, 2025, after an eight-year battle with cancer. The daughter of Solomon and Rebecca Getzell, she was raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., where she graduated summa cum laude from Brooklyn College and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She subsequently taught high school English in Brooklyn and in San Francisco. In 1969 she moved to the Middletown area so that her husband could begin his practice as a member of the radiology team at Middlesex Hospital, and where he originated the Radiation Oncology Department. In Portland, she and her husband raised their children, Corey Silberstein and Dena Silberstein, whom she loved fiercely. She created a home filled with love, delicious food, and beauty. A devoted friend to many, she was full of energy, kindness, and always worked to make others happy, particularly with her unique sense of humor. She worked tirelessly with local organizations, in particular as a past president of Middletown’s Hadassah chapter, for whom she wrote and directed musical plays for many years. She published one novel, “Shrink Wrapped,” and completed another novel, yet unpublished. A corporator of Middlesex Hospital, she was a charter member of both the Sari A. Rosenbaum Fund for Women & Girls at the Community Foundation of Middlesex County and of Middletown’s Kidcity. She also wrote and recorded advertising copy for WCNX radio. In addition to her husband and children, she is survived by two brothers, Jeffrey Getzell and Michael (Linda) Getzell, M.D.; a sister-in-law, Gail Zaslow; a brother-in-law, Leonard (Mia) Silberstein; and a large extended group of family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Compassion and Choices, P.O. Box 485, Etna, NH 03750-0485.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, July 6th at 11:00 am at Congregation Adath Israel Synagogue, 8 Broad Street, Middletown.  Burial will follow in Indian Hill Cemetery.  To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

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