General Information

Full Name: Sheila Propper
Date of Death: Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Sheila L Propper was born on October 14,1935 at Barnert Memorial Hospital in Paterson, NJ. She was born premature, at 1.5 pounds at a time when life saving measures had to be taken to ensure her survival.

Her father, D. Elias D Lawrence, was a surgeon at the hospital. Her mother, Elizabeth Wise, came to the US from Toronto to become a nurse at Barnert Memorial Hospital. Her brother, Dr Sidney Z Lawrence, passed away in February, 2023. Sheila’s parents separated and her mother then married Alvin J Newman, a dear and true second father to her. Her father Elias went on to father her 3 half brothers and one half sister.

After graduating from Eastside High School in Paterson, Sheila attended Indiana University for 2 years and then transferred to Boston University, where she earned her BA in Education. She taught second grade in Paterson. After marrying Ronald Propper in 1959, she continued to teach until May 1960 when she was compelled to leave due to her pregnancy. She had three children: Debora (Propper Lesnoy) in 1960, Susan (Sinrich) in 1963 and Michael in 1968. She was very social and had many friends with whom she shopped and played cards or Mah Jongg. She occupied her time with her large, loving family and doing difficult needle points and was an avid reader.

Sheila is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Ronald, their three children, 8 grandchildren: Joshua Lesnoy (Lili), Tamar Levin (Danny), Jennifer Szenczy (Dan), Rebecca Sierra (Sam), Arielle Cormier (Ethan), Zachary Sinrich (fiance Nicole Neugarten), Ilan Lesnoy (Bia), Sammi Sinrich (Will Dean) and 15 great grandchildren.