In Memoriam – Evalyn Glickman
NORTHAMPTON, MA — Evalyn (Geilich) Glickman, age 87, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of October 20, 2021, after a sudden fall. She waited for all of her children to be with her and hold her hand before taking her next journey.
Evie was born in Brockton, MA in 1934 to Rachel (Cohen) and Simon Geilich. She spent her childhood sailing on the Queen Mary between Boston and England, learning her impeccable table manners and having remarkable adventures with her parents and her brother Chick. The family returned to Brockton full-time at the start of World War II where Evie attended elementary and high school, played the oboe in the band and developed her love of education. Evie also spent many of her summers at Camp Treebor, where among her many lifelong friends she met Nina Hall, who later became her beloved sister-in-law.
Evie received both her BA and M.Ed degrees from Smith College and then began her career in education at the Clarke School for the Deaf. While living in the dorms, she had two special students whose parents introduced her to their handsome single brother whom she married not long after. Evie and Jack had five children together; becoming a mom fulfilled her most valuable lifelong dream. As a working mother, Evie taught kindergarten at the Smith College Campus School, and then at Willie Ross School for the Deaf in Longmeadow. It is remarkable that she taught 4 of her 5 children and many, many of the professionals who remain in the Northampton area. She was always delighted when she ran into former students – her doctors, police officers, and so many others in the community that was her home. After years in the field of education, Evie transitioned to administrative work and for 27 years led Valley Human Services as their Executive Director. Evie wanted to make people’s lives better. She was especially attentive to those who often got lost in the “system” or “fell through the cracks.” It was not uncommon for her to provide respite and support as the “mom” for those who needed it. Evie loved to share her home – and share she did-with an abundance of young women who needed a safe place to rest, think, collect themselves and plan their futures with her love and guidance.
Evie was a force. She was an avid bridge player, a Life Master, and rarely missed a Tuesday night game at the Northampton Duplicate Bridge club. She was a serious Scrabble player, completed the Sunday New York Times Crossword puzzles in pen, loved jigsaw puzzles, and UConn Women’s basketball. Evie was also an avid traveler. She and her friend Shauneen, drove across the country to visit friends and family after retirement and their many “Thelma and Louise” moments will live on in both their family histories. Evie also took many trips to Israel to visit her children and grandchildren.
Evie was one of the original feminists. She was incredibly proud to be a Smith classmate and friend of Gloria Steinem, part of a generation of women who opened so many doors. She was a maverick, a working mother who understood and modeled the value of life-work balance, and a true believer in equality and love.
Evie will be greatly missed by her five children: Ruth (Scott) DeLisle, Gail Glickman, Emily Lazar (Marc Cantor), David Glickman, Amy (Aharon) Sharff and her brother Charles, Geilich. She also leaves 15 grandchildren: Sam, Jake, Liora, Adina, Avishai, Elisha, Rachel, Nate, Sutton, Harris, Maia, Nadav, Nili and Rachel B. to carry on her legacy, many nieces, nephews and so many friends.
Her memory will especially be cherished by her oldest and dearest friend Shauneen Kroll, her friend Sara Weinberger and her family, and the many many lives she touched.
Evie was pre-deceased by her parents and her sister-in-law Nina (Hall) Geilich, her grandson Matan (z”l), and her dear friend Dutchie August.
The family would like to extend our thanks to Evie’s special caregiver Elizabeth and the superb staff at the Baystate HVCC unit for their compassionate and skilled care.
Arrangements are being entrusted to Ahearn Funeral Home.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, October 22nd at 11AM at the B.Nai Israel Cemetery, 476 N. King St., Northampton.
The family will sit Shiva at Evie’s home, 52 Prospect Avenue, Northampton beginning Sunday October 24 at the following times: 8am-12pm and 4pm-8pm.
Please consider donating to the LanderGrinspoon Academy or the Northampton Survival Center in Evie’s memory if you are moved to do so.
Ahearn Funeral Home