Beulah Franklin

Beulah Franklin was happy, positive, and outgoing. She was artistic, and had a great sense of humor. She loved meeting all kinds of people, and everyone loved her.

Born in 1927, Beulah grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts along with her sister, Hannah Sommerstein, with whom she remained extremely close for life.

Beulah was a proud graduate of Massachusetts College of Art, where she majored in Fashion Design and Illustration.

As the single mother of Michael and Emily, Beulah supported her family as the owner and operator of Personal Phone Service, a telephone answering service. In the 1950s, there was no roadmap for a single woman to both raise a family and run a business, but she managed to do both successfully.

Remarkably, Beulah still found time for the artistic pursuits that played a major role in her life.

Beulah designed and created beautiful clothing for herself, family, and friends.

Beulah became an avid and respected collector of antique dolls, many of which were documented in books and displayed in museums. Dollmakers and collectors sought her advice, which she gave freely.

Beulah loved music, and had a beautiful singing voice. Even in the years when Alzheimer’s was robbing her memory of people and events, she still remembered the words to every song she had ever known, and she loved to sing. That was a pleasure she enjoyed through her last days.

Beulah passed away at age 88 after a decade-long struggle with Alzheimer’s. Her children appreciate Cure Alzheimer’s Fund’s efficient and cost-effective work towards a cure, and encourage you to donate.

 Cure Alzheimer’s Fund’s mission is to fund research with the highest probability of preventing, slowing or reversing Alzheimer’s disease. Our founders pay all of our overhead expenses, so 100% of your gift goes directly to research. You can make a gift in memory of Beulah Franklin.

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