Annette Lee Weisman Silverstone

Ω

Annette Lee Weisman Silverstone, devoted wife, mother, grand-mother, and great-grand-mother, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2009, of causes incident to age. Annette was born on August 12, 1916, in Montreal, Canada, to Bertha Aspler Weisman and Samson Beryl Weisman. She was the adored youngest of four children in a generous, welcoming, and joyful household. Her father was an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi and a Cantor who sang his way from Montreal through New England to New York and Connecticut. Her mother always had room for others at her delicious table. An accomplished student, Annette graduated from Central High School in Bridgeport, received her undergraduate degree in English literature from Hunter College in New York City, her master's degree in education with a special certificate in the teaching of reading from the University of Bridgeport, and was a Fellow in American Studies at Yale University, specializing in the study of linguistics and the teaching of English. She taught English for 19 years, first at Bassick High School in Bridgeport and then served as chair of the English department at Bedford Junior High School in Westport, Connecticut, from 1960-1974. During that time, she published Ideas and Patterns in Literature, an anthology for gifted junior high school students; "Kaddish," a poem in the National Poetry Anthology; book reviews in the English Journal; and numerous writing guides and workshop materials for the teaching of composition in secondary school. Before this time she had worked as a social worker, a librarian, and copywriter. Following her retirement from teaching, she worked as a paralegal in the Social Security and Housing Divisions of Legal Services of Bridgeport. In 1944 she married Lester Silverstone, who served as Superintendent of Schools in Bridgeport, where together they forged a powerful education team, serving in many positions, including founding co-presidents of the Francis P. Dunigan Elementary School PTA. She was preceded in death by her husband, her sister, Isabel and her brother, Michael. Annette is survived by her sister, Rae, of Asherville, North Carolina; three children: Naomi Silverstone of Salt Lake City, Utah, David Silverstone of West Hartford, Mark Paul Silverstone and daughter-in-law, Janne Kate Rosnes Silverstone of Kristiansund, Norway; six grandchildren: Pia, Miriam, Sophie, Rachel, Arielle, and Jonathan, and one great grandchild, Joshua. Her family wishes to thank the outstanding staff at Parklane Senior Apartments, Dr. Cherie Brunker and her staff at LDS Hospital Geriatric Clinic, and Home Caregivers, Inc., especially Lyndal Cole, Linda Jimenez, Amparo Hermasilo, Tina Smith, and Teri Runyon for their unstinting care and affection. The family will hold a celebration of her life at a future time. Arrangements entrusted to Evans and Early Mortuary, Salt Lake City.