Clare Braunstein, age 85, a resident of Montrose, PA., and before that for many years of Massapequa Park, NY., died peacefully Tuesday morning, April 5, 2011 at home. She was the wife of the late Benjamin Braunstein, a former book critic, who retired from Bayside High School, NY., as a literature and journalism teacher, and who died in 2005. Born and raised in Manhattan, NYC, she was the daughter of the late Alberto and Leonora Pitilon, Sephardic Jews who immigrated to this country from Salonica, Greece. In addition to working as a homemaker, Clare worked as a bookkeeper for many years. Clare's expressed her passion for life through cooking, as aromas from the stove and oven always permeated her home, and many cookbooks lined her walls. She was an avid reader, often reading entire books in one day, in between food preparation. Clare was a member of Temple Sinai, Amityville, NY., and of Massapequa Hadassah Sisterhood. She served for many years as an award-winning editor of the Hadassah newsletter, and of its cookbook titled One People, One Heart: Culinary Classics. She is survived by her two sons: Mark M. Braunstein of Quaker Hill, CT. and Jack A. Braunstein of Gibson, PA.; and nieces Maxine Traiman and Arlene Katz; and preceded in death by her brother Frank Pitilon. A graveside service was held Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 2:00 PM in Mount Ararat Cemetery, Farmingdale, NY. Clare is buried alongside Benjamin, her husband for 56 years. Arrangements were entrusted to the Carmine J. Louis C. Parise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Carbondale, PA.