Dian J. Lerman

Dian Jaffe Lerman, 71, of Watertown, MA, died peacefully in the company of family on August 31, 2023. She died of natural causes after long illness. Born in New York City to Alice and Eugene Jaffe, she earned her BA in Education from Syracuse University and moved to Boston shortly after. She dedicated her professional career to helping others, first working as a daycare teacher and later directing a childcare resource and referral program. It was through this work in childcare that she met husband Martin Lerman, a union that lasted 30 years until his death in 2012.

After welcoming two children of her own, she earned her Masters in Social Work from Boston College and worked in that field until her retirement, including roles in nursing homes and emergency departments. Dian and Martin were active in the Community Church of Boston, both serving in leadership positions over the years. She was also an avid gardener and photographer and joined many performances as a singer in the Mystic Chorale.

A juvenile diabetic from age 9, Dian survived many decades past the medical expectation of the time.  She was honored by the Joslin Clinic in 2011 as a rare 50-year survivor. Despite this challenge, she sought to be a source of compassion and support to those around her through her chosen professions and personal relationships.

She is survived by daughter Katrina Lerman, son Carlos Lerman and wife Jessica, grandchildren Martin and Charlotte, sister Edith Jaffe and husband Richard Butler, nephew Daniel, niece Hannah, and many cousins, as well as relatives of Martin.

Funeral will be both in person and interactive zoom on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 1 p.m. 

In person: 

Community Church of Boston, 565 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116 (617 266-6710)

Click Here to Join Zoom Meeting       Meeting ID: 813 5181 3462

Donations can be made in Dian’s name to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (https://www.jdrf.org/).

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