Edith S. Socolow

The wife of the late Dr. Arthur A. Socolow, to whom she was married for 64 years, she was the daughter of Carl and Rose Blumenthal. She was predeceased by her brother Jacob. She is survived by three sons: Carl of Camp Hill, PA (wife Holly and daughter Samantha Davenport); Roy of Westford, MA (wife Mindy and sons Ryan and Eli); Jeff of Lynnfield, MA (wife Amy and son Jared).

Edith was born in 1921 in Elizabeth, NJ and raised in a family with a rich cultural and intellectual identity. From an early age she was possessed of an enthusiastic and iconoclastic spirit that manifested itself through art and music; in both of which she was highly accomplished. Choosing to pursue her passion for art and painting she studied in New York City where she went on to work in the design and advertising fields. She later earned a Masters in Fine Art from Goddard College at the age of 67.

Following her marriage to Arthur in 1949 and their life in Dallas, Boston, Harrisburg and Gloucester she continued with her personal artwork. Throughout the years while raising three sons her dedication to her art never waned.

She affected the lives of many during her years of teaching at the Jewish Community Center of Harrisburg and, significantly, her long tenure at Harrisburg Area Community College and then Endicott College. She was always active in her community art organizations including most recently the North Shore Art Association of Cape Ann, MA. Her work has been extensively collected and exhibited. In her later years she continued to paint and draw her inspired seascapes and play her beloved piano.

Elemental to her nature was her ongoing free spirit, her love of life, her love and compassion for animals, her deep concern for social justice and her sense of humor. Her and Arthur's membership in cultural organizations and those dedicated to the betterment of the human condition was a testament to their core humanist convictions.

Above all, Edith was possessed of an embracing and unequivocal love of family and the many who had the good fortune to be her friend. Her loss to those who love her is keenly felt. But, her influence, her inspiration and her love are her legacy and through them she endures.

Services at Stanetsky-Hymanson Memorial Chapel, 10 Vinnin Street, Salem on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 11:00 AM. Interment at Beechbrook Cemetery, Gloucester. Memorial observance will be held at her late residence following the interment on Wednesday only. Those wishing to honor her memory can make contributions in her name to organizations of their choosing, supporting both the arts and social justice.