Ellen Byer Friedlander

Ellen Byer Friedlander, 88, died in the comfort of her home at 64 Selwyn Road, Newton Highlands, Massachusetts, attended by her four daughters on September 4, 2016.  She was the widow of Philip Friedlander who died in 1971. She is survived by her daughter Lisa Friedlander, who lives in New Hampshire with her husband, Stephen Schulz, and Lisa’s children:  Lexa Hillyer and Charles Wulster and their daughter Minna  of New York; Shira Hillyer and her husband Anton Delgiorno and their daughters, Gabrielle and Annalisa of New Hampshire; Megan Schulz of Boston and Adam Schulz of Albany. And daughter Kathy Goldberg, who lives in Newton, MA with her husband Donald; and their children Nicole of Boston and Benjamin of Newton. And daughter Lynne Friedlander, who lives in Newton, MA with her husband Steven Garfinkle;  and their children:  Jacob and his wife Brittany of Newton; Philip of Newton, Alexander of Boston and Michael of Newton. And Frances Friedlander, who lives in Holliston, MA with her husband William Brown, and their children Sophie and Jesse of Holliston. Ellen’s son, Paul, died in 1981. Her youngest sibling, Eve, is deceased and her brother, Howard Byer, lives in Columbus, Ohio with his wife Phyllis.

Throughout Ellen’s life she expressed a love of the arts, culture, scholarship, social movements and politics, as well as her family and close friends.  Her adventuresome spirit lured her from her Midwest home in Columbus, Ohio to the Northeast where she received her Bachelor’s Degree from Vassar College and relocated to the Boston area with her husband, Philip Friedlander.  During the years that followed her husband’s death she also received Master’s degrees in both Education and Social Work from Simmons College.  Widely read, she enjoyed conversations on many topics and remained a lifelong learner and bibliophile, often reading late into the night as well as the daily and weekend newspapers delivered to her doorstep. She participated in a book group, a bridge group and enjoyed classes at Lifelong Learners, An Independent Collaborative. She owned two pianos and continued to play her beloved composers all her life.

Her children and grandchildren often consulted her for advice about books and life. Among her legacies was Widowed Lifeline, a supportive group she developed while working at Cutler Counseling Clinic in Norwood, MA that continued for decades.  Her love of stories was also expressed in continuing her small psychotherapy practice well into her ninth decade, as well as writing her memoirs.  Her greatest joy was the love of her children, their children and their children’s children. After a private funeral the family will receive guests at Ellen’s home on Wednesday September 7^th between 4 and 7 PM and again on Thursday September 8^th from 6 to 8 PM. Please make any donations in Ellen’s honor to the non-profit who provided so much compassionate care to our family,  Good Shepherd Community Care 90 Wells Avenue, Newton, MA 02459.  617.969.6130