Myra Shays, 93

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Myra B. Shays died on April 12, 2025, at home in Providence. Born in Brooklyn, New York, to the late Samuel Berger and Pauline (Rosenbloom) Berger Zuckman, she grew up in Brooklyn and Manhattan with her twin brother, Arnold.

A graduate of Tufts University (class of 1953), Myra loved language and learning. After raising her three children, she enrolled in paralegal training and enjoyed a second career in law, working in New York City and then in Providence at Brown, Rudnick, Berlack & Israelis, LLP until her retirement in 2001.

Myra was deeply committed to the Jewish organizations where she lived on Long Island, in New York City, and in the Providence area. She served as president of the Garden City (LI) Jewish Center Sisterhood and as president of NYC’s Golda Meir Chapter of Hadassah. She was a life member of Hadassah, continuing her participation after moving to Rhode Island. Myra also volunteered with the Jewish Seniors Agency and Jewish Eldercare of Rhode Island. She had been a member of Temple Habonim, of Barrington, where she volunteered as a library co-manager, and was a spirited longtime participant in its weekly Lunch and Learn group. Members of Habonim looked forward to Myra’s annual Yom Kippur discussions on the story of Jonah as each year she’d find new interpretations to explore.

Myra was never one to stand on the sidelines. In 1982, she joined the NYC chapter of PFLAG, helping to provide a welcoming and enlightening space for families and friends of LGBTQ+ individuals. After moving to Rhode Island, Myra founded the Providence PFLAG chapter in 1998. She established its board of directors, led monthly meetings to support parents and families, and grew the chapter’s presence in the area for the following 15 years.

In 2013 when Myra stepped down as chapter president, she was honored at a State House recognition ceremony during which many Providence and Rhode Island leaders spoke to acknowledge her service to the community. She remained active in Providence PFLAG, serving on the membership committee and continuing to participate in the annual Pride March riding on the chapter’s float. In 2018, at the chapter’s 20th anniversary celebration, she became the first recipient of Providence PFLAG’s “Myra B. Shays Making a Difference Award” presented to people who – like Myra – exemplify “integrity, credibility, and a passion for improving the lives of our members and individuals in the LGBTQ+ community.”

Myra believed in showing up for what matters. She was a writer for and editor of “OPTIONS Magazine,” a public educator with Living Wills and Health Care Proxies, a responder on the GLBT Helpline and a judge for the Annual Academic Decathlon. She loved The New York Times crossword puzzle, multi-part harmony, a good game of Scrabble and sour cream on just about anything.

Myra was a devoted mother of three: Harlan Shays and his wife, Shawn Sager, of Raleigh, North Carolina; Felice Shays, of Brooklyn, New York; and Barbara Shays and her husband, Charlie Seelig, of Providence. She was a beloved grandmother to Diana, Jordan, Rebecca and Rosalie. She was a steadfast sister to her twin brother, Arnold Berger, of Cleveland, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to these organizations:

• Garden City Jewish Center, 168 Nassau Blvd, Garden City, NY 11530
• MAZON Jewish Response to Hunger, PO Box 96119, Washington, D.C. 20090
• PFLAG of Greater Providence, PO Box 41344, Providence, RI 02940
• Options Magazine, PO Box 6406, Providence, RI 02940