Besen, Myra Rapkin

DATELINE: North Dartmouth

Besen, Myra Rapkin, 95, died Friday, December 22, 2023. She was the beloved wife of the late Norman Besen. Born in Brooklyn, NY, a daughter of the late Samuel and Beatrice (Feinberg) Rapkin, she had lived in New Bedford since 1958. She was a nurse at the former Frances P. Memorial Hospital in New Bedford, a Director of Nursing at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, and a claims review manager for Blue Cross Blue Shield in Boston before her retirement. Myra was a member of the former Congregation Ahavath Achim and a former member of Tifereth Israel Congregation. She earned her nursing degree at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth and her master’s degree from Boston University.

Devoted mother of Aaron Besen and his wife, Jenni, of Portland, OR, Robert Besen and his wife, Dena, of Tenafly, NJ, and Rachel Besen and her wife, Ami, of Westport, MA. Dear sister of the late George Rapkin. Loving grandmother of Samuel, Elisheba, and Leo.

Graveside services will be held Friday at 1:15 p.m. in the Knollwood Park section of Mount Carmel Cemetery, 57-80 Cooper Ave., Ridgewood, NY. Shiva will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to New Bedford Symphony Orchestra (https://nbsymphony.org/donate-now/).