We mourn the passing of Sema Moskovitz Faigen, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to the Wayland Community.
Sema Moskovitz was born in Pittsburgh on September 4, 1928, to Dr. David and Marion Moskovitz. She was a graduate of Taylor Allderdice High School. She received her BS degree from Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1949, where she majored in English and Modern Languages, was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, and was a First Honor Graduate.
Sema married Ivan Faigen in 1949 and relocated to Massachusetts. She went on to earn her Master’s Degree in English and American literature from Brandeis University in 1961. Sema and her husband Ivan were long time residents of Wayland, MA where they raised their three children.
Sema was a devoted member of the Wayland community, serving on the School Committee, the Personnel Board, and Finance Committee, as well as many other town committees. In addition, Sema also was involved in several women’s organizations. These included the Wayland League of Women Voters, where she served as President between 1963 and 1965, the Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund (now Women First), where she served as President from 1999 to 2002, and the American Association of University Women.
Sema loved language. She was conversant in French, Spanish, German, and Italian, and put these skills to use as an ESOL teacher from 1990 to 2006. One of her favorite languages was Klingon, which she delighted in springing on unsuspecting friends and visitors.
In recognition of all her contributions to both the Town of Wayland and the many women’s organizations, she was recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives in 2017 for her record of achievement and service to her community.
Sema passed away quietly and peacefully on Sunday, October 23, 2022, at the Traditions of Wayland assisted living facility. She was a Wayland resident until the end. She is predeceased by her husband Ivan, and is survived by her daughter Martha, son Ronn and wife Kathy, son Michael and wife Mariola, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Road (off Rt 30), Wayland, MA, followed by burial at the North Cemetery in Wayland.
The family will sit shiva at Temple Shir Tikva, 141 Boston Post Road, Wayland from 4:00 to 8:00 pm the same day.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Women First International Fund, with contributions sent to 125 Park Ave., 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017, or an online donation can be made at https://www.womenfirstfund.org/donate.