OBITUARY Saugerties – Sally Halpert, former owner of Halpert's Jewelers, died Saturday, November 1, 2014 at home. She was 97 years old. Born June 5, 1917 in Albany, NY, she was the daughter of Harry and Celia Koblantz. On September 3, 1939 she married David Halpert of Catskill, NY. Together they opened a small jewelry store in Coxsackie, NY. Eventually they moved to Saugerties, where Halpert's Jewelers became a local institution. Sally and her husband created such a welcoming atmosphere and well-known business that often people would come into the store simply to talk with them. After David's sudden death on April 18, 1982, Sally sold the business, but continued to serve customers there well into her 80's. Always active in the community, she and David sponsored many mixed bowling teams, were local vendors for high school rings, and were the official photographers for the high school proms. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, a former member ofthe Saugerties Business Association, and a member of Temple Israel of Catskill. Sally enjoyed ceramics, needlepoint, reading, and crossword puzzles. She loved spending time with her family and grand dogs, Rosie and Casey. Sally was noted for hosting wonderful celebrations for family and friends, especially birthday parties, Fourth of July, and Thanksgiving gatherings. Sally, David, Carolyn, Judy, Alaina, and Steven spent many winter vacations in Florida and summer vacations in Cape Ann, Mass. Later in life she became an accomplished oil painter. She took lessons from famous Woodstock artist, Mark Vukuvic. She and her girlfriends could be found setting up their easels through the local countryside or arranging a still life with freshly picked flowers. Herpaintings were often displayed at the Mum Festival and recently she had a show at the gallery in the Saugerties Public Library. Sally was a very generous person and often gave away her paintings to close family and friends. Survivors include her two daughters, Carolyn Halpert Mormile of Guilderland and Judy Halpert Robins of Saugerties; her grandchildren, Alaina Beth Mormile of Guilderland and Steven Jeffrey Robins of California; her nieces Laurie Halpert Jaffee and her husband Michael, Karen Halpert Coplan and her husband Joel, Barbara Hartman Baum and her husband Peter, Phillip Hartman and his wife Diana. Also surviving is Fran Hartman. Sally is predeceased by her sister Rose Koblantz Feder and her husband Harry, brother Nathan Koblantz and his wife Betty, Shirley and Sidney Halpert, Ruth and Pete Halpert, Sally and Jack Halpert, Ethel and Ben Hartman, Helen and Benn Kallman, Sadye and Emanuel Kline, and Pearl and Abe Alter. Funeral services will be held 1:00 pm Wednesday November 5, 2014 at Buono Funeral Service, Inc., Saugerties, NY. Rabbi Zoe Zak of Temple Israel of Catskill will officiate. Interment will follow in Temple Israel Cemetery in Catskill. Family will receive friends at the funeral home from Noon until 1:00 pm on Wednesday and at Sally's home Wednesday 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm and Thursday 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Temple Israel PO Box 607, Catskill, NY 12414; BenedictineHospital Health Foundation, 105 Mary's Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401; or Hudson Valley Hospice, 400 Aaron Court, Kingston, NY 12401.