Harriet Shalinsky Waldman, 82, affectionately known as “Baby” to her family, passed away on Nov. 23, 2014, in Louisville, Ky.
She was the youngest of eight children, born to Freda and Herman Shalinsky in Kansas City, Kan., on Oct. 16, 1932.
While visiting her sister, Zelda Tasman in Louisville, Harriet met and fell in love with Irvin Waldman. They would later marry and make Louisville their home. Harriet was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and aunt — generous and loving to all who knew her.
As young woman, she started what became a 46-year career as a Sunday school and preschool teacher at Congregation Adath Jeshurun. In addition to this teaching, Harriet worked as a highly sought after special events planner and at the Jewish Community Center where she taught cooking and sewing.
In 2012, she was honored by Adath Jeshurun for her teaching excellence and creative spirit. She was beloved by her students and their parents. Many of her students would later send their children, and their children’s children to be taught by her at the preschool.
Those who knew Harriet remember her delight in sharing stories about her family growing up during the Depression. Through these tales, Harriet passed on the values that allowed her family to sustain a joyful and supportive home in the face of adversity. She was dignified, modest and unstoppably generous.
Irvin Waldman, her beloved husband of 40 years, preceded her in death, as did her five brothers, Joseph, Lester, Milton, Marvin and Leo, and her sister, Eleanor. She is survived by her sister, Zelda Tasman of Louisville; her daughters, Alyce Waldman Jones and Sheryl Rosenberg of Chicago; her grandchildren, Jordan and Jason Rosenberg, and Autumn Jones; sisters-in-law Jean Waldman Frankel of Louisville, Anne Shalinsky, Helen Shalinsky and Arlene Shalinsky, all of Greater Kansas City; and many nieces and nephews.
Harriet was a member of Congregation Adath Jeshurun, the National Council of Jewish Woman, and a life member of Hadassah.
Funeral service were held Nov. 26 at Congregation Adath Jeshurun in Louisville; burial followed at Adath Jeshurun Cemetery.
Gifts to honor Harriet may be made to the Congregation Adath Jeshurun or the Harriet Waldman Preschool Fund at Adath Jeshurun.