Celebrating the life of

Shirl Tarko-Halpern

13 Mar 1955 - 12 Nov 2019

Family and friends

Shirl was born Shirley Tarko in Boston on March 13 1955, the second of two children of Morris (Moishe) Tarko and Minna (Manya) Tarko (nee Krakowski), both Holocaust survivors. Her sister Sarah, seven years older, was born in the Bergen Belsen D.P. camp in Germany, where her parents had met and married. Shirl was a bit premature and struggled to thrive in the hospital, but made it out into the... more

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May 2018

Jesse Rabinowitz May 2018 - SoCal visits Seattle

Eli Halpern16 Nov 2019

Loved By

17 Nov 2019

Eli Halpern Shirley

17 Nov 2019

Eli Halpern Shirl and the Grandkids

17 Nov 2019

Eli Halpern Shirl and the Kids

17 Nov 2019

Eli Halpern Young Shirley

17 Nov 2019

Eli Halpern Shirl's Photos of Water and Boats

19 Nov 2019

Carol MILLER We have five daughters. Shirl found this picture at a resale shop probably about 25 or 30 years ago and gave it to me. I always think of her when I look at it. Shirl was my friend. No matter how sick she was, she always wanted to know about my family. She had the remarkable ability to be supportive, while also letting me know when I was being ridiculous. She was fiercely proud of her family; my last communication with her was when she announced Eli's engagement....something I know she had been waiting for! I knew that Shirl was a dancer. I knew about her family. And I knew she was brilliant...but I did not realize that she continued to study despite her health struggles. An avid reader for many years, I know that reading became difficult the last few years. I wish I could be there to share stories with all of you. I remember when she told me she wanted a divorce from Judaism. What an incredible human being... Sending love, Carol and David Miller

19 Nov 2019

Eli Halpern Mom's favorite chair for sitting in the backyard, Holabird.

19 Nov 2019

Eli Halpern Mom invented ever more creative ways to bug me about getting my flu shot every fall. This was the entire content of an email she sent me a few years ago.

This is beautiful

Debby Zaid20 Nov 2019

20 Nov 2019

Anna Halpern On the floor with Theo

20 Nov 2019

Anna Halpern

20 Nov 2019

James Town Shirl and the Family (Note - she was the only Halpern smart enough to keep the eclipse glasses on throughout the whole eclipse) She had an uncanny lens into the human condition and a penetrating insightfulness that I shall truly miss. Like a true psychoanalyst, she intermingled her observations with twisted humor and genuine love. I loved getting birthday emails with dancing llamas and random packages of half-eaten cookies from Etsy. I loved that she played Spiderman and made picture books for Theo with pictures she took from her window. She loved her family fiercely while bearing her illness with grace. We will miss her deeply.

20 Nov 2019

Anna Halpern Mom was a video editor with her iPhone. Her first creation

Of all Carol's friends, Shirl was always my favorite. Loved that wicked sense of humor..... My heart goes out to the three of you. We will miss her dearly. David Miller

Carol MILLER20 Nov 2019

I first met Shirl when we both were working as therapists at The Josselyn Center. She always impressed me with her knowledge, empathy, warmth and humor, and we soon became friends, as well as colleagues. Shirl was always willing to share her ideas, and I learned so much from her. But, more than that, I treasured her friendship, her care, her hon...

Debbie Behrman23 Nov 2019

Shirl and I bonded almost immediately, freshman year at Brandeis U. I may have been one of the earlier recipients of her loving care, kindness and empathy, as she was always there for me as I struggled with adjustment and change in college. Shirl introduced me to French films and dance performances. She took me to see the 1971 classic film, "Harol...

Jan Levine23 Nov 2019

Shirl was a wise and beautiful lady with a fun, dry sense of humor. She was interested, a practical and loving guide to her companions in life. By the time I met her, scleroderma had affected her speech and age had affected my hearing. Still we managed these amiable conversations. Her intellect, humor and generosity shone from her face. She will be...

Sheila Town25 Nov 2019

it was heart warming to read about Shirl's life. Her family is a wonderful legacy

doug meyer28 Nov 2019

Shirl was always so welcoming when my family and I would visit her and Robert at their home--We did the Scleroderma fundraising walks in Highland Park and she was so sweet with the kids. I am so sorry to hear of her passing and we are thinking of Robert, Eli, and Anna. Much love from our family, Jon Barbara Theo and Anna

Jon Korfmacher28 Nov 2019

I am so sorry.

Joan McLane30 Nov 2019

such a moving story about such a moving and special woman. unfortunately I lost touch with her when I moved to Israel and was not aware of her history. I remember her as a child and as far back as high school. our parents were survivors. Shirley was a true survivor and role model. I am sad to read of her pain but happy there is a continuation....

jeanette rapaport21 Dec 2019