Evelyn B Shatkin

Evelyn Shatkin passed away on April 2, 2016 following a brief illness. The Rhode Island based public relations consultant promoted a broad spate of campaigns for Trinity Repertory, Weight Watchers Group, Inc., American Cancer Society, Providence Adult Education, United Way, Hearing and Speech Association, Corporation for National Service in RI, publicizing VISTA volunteers in AmeriCorps programs: RI Reads, Clothing Collaborative, AS220, and America’s Promise. The Emerson College graduate (class of 1940) began a lifelong career in varied news media as host Evelyn Howe of the Five O’Clock Follies show on Boston’s CBS station in the mid 1940s, giving her entry to the rich theater, music, and entertainment scene, providing celebrity interviews, fast-paced patter and music appropriate to guests from jazz, pop, and classical venues. Highlights of the Follies four years included exclusive interviews with “Satchmo” Armstrong, Oscar Hammerstein II, Victor Borge, Cole Porter, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Wood, Glenn Miller, Alfred Drake and Jackie Gleason among others. She co-produced two programs for national “We The People” broadcasts. Evelyn received a special award from Massachusetts Governor Maurice Tobin for organizing print and radio theatre critics to produce shows involving talent for armed forces throughout New England, aboard airplane carriers, in hospitals, and USO venues. Evelyn appeared on the Arthur Godfrey program in New York and interviewed Godfrey in Boston. She was invited to host a jazz show for Boston’s WERS station in 1997 and asked a promising graduate student in Emerson’s broadcasting program to co-host. Evelyn was born in New York City, a daughter of the late Edward and Mollie Bergman. She was married to the late Perry Shatkin, former legal counsel to the RI Tax Division. She is survived by two daughters: Susan Shatkin of Bristol, RI, and daughter Dr. Jo Anne Shatkin of Boston, MA. She was the sister of Janet Dobrer of Hackensack, N.J. She was the mother of the late Lenore Richardson Holze, and sister of the late Walter Bergman of Lancaster, PA. She had two grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and a great-grandson. After settling in RI, Evelyn accepted an offer to establish a group sales program at the former Warwick Musical Theatre, which led to directing group sales for Paramount Pictures in New York City. She then continued directing group sales for film and theater from her RI home then in Cranston. The PR chapter of her career began with an offer to launch a broader image for WJAR-TV, during a key anniversary year. Becoming involved in education as her daughters advanced in RI schools, she completed a graduate program at RI College and was soon promoting a number of programs ranging from Providence Adult Education to the ALP project, bringing marketing tools from media experience to production of TV and radio spots, news conferences, newsletters and brochures. Ms. Shatkin was active in the former Women’s Advertising Club of RI, serving as PR director for several campaigns. She was a member of Temple Beth-El, Providence, serving on the PR committee. She was formerly an officer of the Emerson College Club of Southeastern New England. She produced a musical revue “Bustles and Beaux” to fund a new library for Edward S. Rhodes School in Edgewood, when her children were enrolled. Her late husband and she helped organize a number of civic programs including the Cranston Charter campaign to launch a new charter for the city, and the Cranston Committee for Better Schools, with Perry lending legal expertise and Evelyn responsible for media relations.After retiring, she served AmeriCorps non-profit agencies for three years, directing media relations. Funeral services will be held Monday, April 4 at 11:00AM at Temple Beth-El in Providence. Calling hours will be held at 74 Sea Breeze Lane in Bristol, RI, Monday, April 4, 7-9pm, and Tuesday, April 5, 2-4pm and 7-9pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Rabbi Leslie Yale Gutterman Religious School Fund at Temple Beth El, Providence, or one’s favorite charity.