- Date Of Birth: May 3, 1930
- Date Of Death: December 30, 2008
- State: Connecticut
Lois Irma Friedman, age 78 of West Hartford died December 30, 2008 peacefully at home in Hospice surrounded by friends and family. Having graduated with a Masters degree in Social Work for the University of Connecticut, Ms. Friedman worked for the State of Connecticut as a social worker for over 40 years. Her compassionate, caring and generous nature drew many steadfast friends with whom she enjoyed a calendar booked with cultural events, from Israeli folk dancing, to classical music concerts, theatrical plays, art exhibits, group discussions, and political organizations. She was a welcome face at “Always on Sunday” and “The Sounding Board”. A forward-thinking dynamo, eccentric , fun and funny, when not busy banging out tunes on her piano or cutting a rug on a dance floor, she gave freely of herself to many different causes, had a quick wit and easy going nature, touching many people in positive ways throughout her life . Proud of her Jewish heritage, Lois always looked forward to celebrating the holidays in traditional fashion. Ms. Friedman lived her life deeply principled by acceptance of others and demonstrated social responsibility through her actions. She found value in human relationships with little appreciation for extravagance or material possessions. And she never forgot a birthday or special occasion. Throughout the years, her doors were open to physically and mentally challenged housemates from whom she collected only small stipends in rent. She proudly exercised her rights, casting what would be her final vote by absentee ballot for the first U.S. African American President, although she preferred Hillary Clinton. Ms. Friedman is predeceased by her mother and father, Anna and Abraham “Al” Friedman, her brother Irwin Friedman, her beloved cousin Lois Silverlieb-Thompson, her aunt and uncle, Josephine and Phil Titlebaum, all from the Hartford area. She leaves behind the “twins” Debra Silverlieb and Daniel Silverlieb, whose care for her earned them the monikers “my guardian angels”, cousin Brian Silverlieb, various nieces and nephews and too many friends to count. Lois Irma Friedman’s life represents innate kindness, social justice, tolerance, and understanding. Her favorite answer was always the questions, “ why not?” Her departure marks the end of a generation but gives those who survive her their own new guardian angel with a beautiful, still fragile set of wings to lightly grace our shoulders and stir our fond memories of a truly good and decent human being.
