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AMHERST - Elia Dreyfuss, 62, passed away Friday, May 31, 2013, from cancer.
Born Nov. 17, 1950, in Brooklyn, N.Y., Elia was a teacher, traveler and social justice activist. In her own words, she came from "a labor organizer father, a truck driving anarchist philosopher grandfather, a grandmother who was a socialist journalist and teacher, and a mother who was one of the most formidable women I have known in asserting her rights."
The family moved to Los Angeles when Elia was four years old. A few years later, they fought anti-Semitic realtors to buy an inexpensive tract home in conservative Orange County. Elia continued to develop her fighting spirit from then on, working over the years for housing and immigrant rights, the environment and other progressive causes.
In 1974, Elia traveled extensively throughout Mexico, Central and South America, beginning her study of Spanish, and a lifelong appreciation for working with Latino communities. A decade later she traveled abroad for six months, including an extended peace tour with the New Jewish Agenda to Israel and the occupied territories.
As a young woman, Elia helped organize a cooperative women's tree planting crew in Oregon and was a client advocate at the Bay Area Welfare Rights organization. She also worked as an organizer and counselor with the San Francisco Tenants Union, and for 10 years as part of a collectively run, low-income advocacy law firm located in the Latino district of San Francisco. During that time she continued her study of Spanish and completed an intensive training program for teaching English as a second language.
Elia moved to Northampton in 1995. She soon began teaching English as a second language to Latino adults at the Community Education Project, a grassroots literacy program. At C.E.P., she also coordinated a community/learner/teacher project that generated a bilingual booklet, Vision for a Fair Economy, addressing economic inequality in Holyoke. Over the years, Elia became a masterful teacher and an active and beloved member of the Latino community.
Elia earned her undergraduate degree from the University Without Walls in 1999, and her master's degree in multicultural education from UMass in 2003. In 2005 she spent time living and teaching E.S.L. to workers in Argentina and Mexico.
For the past seven years, Elia coordinated the Adult Basic Education -Transition to College and Careers program, a collaboration between CEP and Holyoke Community College. Under her leadership the program greatly expanded its offerings, strengthened ties with ABE and ESL programs throughout the region, and prepared hundreds of adult students to enter college. As Coordinator of the ABE-TCC program, Elia co-authored the College Awareness and Readiness Curriculum that is now available as a free, open source document to high-level ESL and GED classrooms statewide. In 2013, she received the "Outstanding Educator of the Year" award from the Massachusetts Coalition of Adult Educators (MCAE.)
Elia was as fun-loving as she was hard-working. She grew up surrounded by music, singing in harmony with her sisters. She loved the outdoors, swimming in natural waters, walking and playing sports, including her most recent passion, croquet. She was an avid reader and film-watcher, and loved word games, especially anagrams. A wonderful cook, Elia appreciated the food of many different cultures and always ate with gusto.
Elia is survived by her sisters Barbara, Hillary and Meri; nieces Sarah and Laurie; nephew Doug; and a loving extended family of aunts, uncles and close cousins on both the left and right coasts. She also leaves behind her beloved friend Jan Eidelson, and many other devoted friends and colleagues.
Elia asked that donations in her memory go to the independent news program, Democracy Now!, 207 W. 25th St., 11th floor, New York, NY 10001.
To sign a Guest Book, express condolences, share memories and read other obituaries, go to www.gazettenet.com/obituaries.
19 Entries
Smiling
je
May 30, 2022
Loving you always.
May 28, 2016
My dearest Elia,
Life is barely possible without you. It's time to come back now!
September 5, 2015
I just read this and am stunned. She was always someone whose integrity was matched by her humor and love of life. A memorable soul. So very sad she is gone.
Kathleen Moore
April 18, 2014
March 13, 2014
Missing you
meri Dreyfuss
July 29, 2013
Elia's impact on me as a teenager was unforgettable.The Beatles, The Who, Linda Ronstadt, and my first ride around town with Meri in her'65 mustang. She was funny, witty, clever, and always interesting. I learned, I listened, and I have wonderful memories of a life well-lived with purpose, compassion, and laughter....always laughter. Peace be with you my cousin. You will forever be in my heart <3
June 24, 2013
Elia, you are remembered across the country in all of the places where your life crossed paths with so many. I have not seen you for years (your SF chapter)and honor your family and close friends' loss of you in this time after your unbelievably untimely death. You built alot of bridges with much passion - your legacy lives. L'chaim. A candle is lit.
Debby Hamolsky
June 18, 2013
I can't believe Elia is not among us anymore. She was a shining light for so many students in H.C.C and i can only imagine how much she'll be missed. Rest in peace Elia. You will always live in my heart.
Esther Hermele
June 17, 2013
I know Elia only as Ellen as our paths had not crossed for many years. I am saddened by her passing and my prayers go out to the Dreyfuss family and to her extended friends and family. She was taken too soon from those that loved her.
Dorothy Klein
June 17, 2013
I will never forget the fun and friendship we shared in the 1980's in San Francisco. Elia helped me get through law school with her humor and friendship. What is remembered lives. Rest in peace.
Janet Seldon
June 17, 2013
My deepest condolences to Elia's family and network of friends, students, community. I will so miss and so appreciated her generous, warm, easy energy and the way she lived her deep commitments.
Norma Akamatsu
June 13, 2013
We are saddened to hear of Elia's passing. She was a brilliant student and so deeply committed to her work and her community. The entire staff and faculty at the UMass Amherst University Without Walls sends our most heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.
faculty and staff University Without Walls
June 13, 2013
May God hold you tight, Elia. I will never forget you.
Fernanda Scully
June 12, 2013
God blessed us with your presence, Elia, and I have been forever changed, and graced to have known you. You were a mentor and a friend. I will miss you dearly.
Laura Jacques
June 12, 2013
Thank you Elia for all your help to
Latin emmigrants, my prayers are with you.
Maria H. Springfield, MA
June 11, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Luz Orduz
June 11, 2013
Elia was a shining light who influenced many, many lives for the better. The world will feel her loss. She helped me find the courage and gain the confidence to go back to college after being away for many years. Condolences to her family and friends and to her coworkers at HCC.
Cheryl Lenville
June 11, 2013
She was such a warm and kind person to be around. She helped me a lot when I was in HCC. I feel so sad to hear this news.
June 11, 2013
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