Robbie Lacritz-Deitch, advocate, cancer patient
Dr. Robbie Lacritz-Deitch was passionate and fearless, friends and relatives said.
Even as she battled ovarian cancer, she doggedly worked for many organizations and started her own group for patients undergoing chemotherapy. She dedicated much of her final years to research in ovarian cancer.
She lived life to the fullest, said family friend Michael Porter of Millbourne, N.J., in a telephone interview from Lacritz-Deitch's home in Weston.
After fighting cancer for almost three years , Dr. Deitch, as she was called, died Saturday at her home. She was 57 .
"She embodied the spirit of what we are all about, which is fighting for your recovery alongside your physician and other caregivers while living every day to the fullest," said Ronald C. Lipof , president and chief executive of the Wellness Community of Greater Boston, a support group for cancer patients where Dr. Deitch worked.
Dr. Deitch was born in Utica, N.Y. She earned a bachelor's in psychology from the University of Miami in 1970 and her doctorate in psychology from the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology in 1986 .
At the time of her death, she was a management consultant for Commonwealth Financial Network, the Waltham-based company that her husband, Joseph, helped found.
Dr. Deitch enjoyed gourmet cooking and traveling. She was a Red Sox and New England Patriots fan. She was also athletic, placing third for her age group in the Hyannis Sprint 2 Triathlon in 2000.
She was also a steadfast Democrat, supporting a number of presidential campaigns. .
After she was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer in February 2004 , she decided to put her philanthropic skills to use. After receiving chemotherapy, Dr. Deitch completed Avon's three-day, 60-mile Breast Cancer Walk in 2004. Dr. Deitch also supported the Red Cross , Coalition for Buzzards Bay , Children's Museum of Boston , Boys and Girls Club of Boston, and New England Baptist Hospital .
Between chemotherapy treatments , Dr. Deitch helped send trucks with supplies to evacuees in Houston after Hurricane Katrina.
"Philanthropy is an important way of giving back to the community -- and even on a broader scale -- humanity," Dr. Deitch told MSPPrapport , the newsletter of the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, last year. "I firmly believe that giving to others is an important component of our profession. It helps us better ourselves as human beings. When you give, you do get a lot back."
She received the Gilda Radner award from the Wellness Community of Greater Boston in April for her support for the organization. Dr. Deitch also started a personal support group at The Wellness Community called "Robbie's Chemo Club."
In honor of Dr. Deitch, the Wellness Community recently created the annual Robbie Lacritz-Deitch Caregiver Appreciation Award to honor those who care for their friends and family diagnosed with cancer. In October, Care Solutions of Marlborough opened "Robbie's Place," an assisted-living facility for those with psychiatric disorders.
In addition to her husband, Dr. Deitch leaves a son Matthew F. of Weston; her mother, Elaine Lacritz of Brighton Beach, Fla.; and a sister Joan Lampert of Taunton.
Services will be held at 10:45 a.m. today in Temple Ohabei Shalom in Brookline .
