ERICA ZISSMAN

1951 - 2018

ZISSMAN, Erica Age 66, of Waltham, Massachusetts, died peacefully in her home on Wednesday, February 28th. Erica was born on April 11, 1951, in Philadelphia. She graduated from the Philadelphia High School for Girls in 1968 and from Brandeis University in 1972. A woman with an outstanding gift for forming and maintaining friendships, Erica had friends from all spheres of her life: junior high, high school, and college; gardening; her Waltham neighborhood with its sweet block parties; her Balkan music band, Evo Nas; Balkan and Scandinavian music and dance; bluegrass; world traveling; bird watching; and singing. She had a large family of friends and colleagues from her various work places: Meditech, Progress Software, and Beth Israel Hospital. Among her newer friends were those who, like her, were fighting cancer. Erica was a past president of the League of Women Voters of Waltham; a member of the Waltham Land Trust, Waltham Historical Society, and WATCH CDC; and a volunteer for REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, for which she received the Ruth Bigwood Voice of Justice Award. Erica loved cats, Sudoku, crossword puzzles, drawing, classical and early music, pottery, children's books, reading, languages, photographing birds and gargoyles, snorkeling, and beach combing for sea pottery and striped rocks. She loved throwing large, wonderful parties that reflected perfectly her appetite for life. Even in her last year of life, she managed to go bird watching on the Amazon River. She lived life large. She is beloved of many. Erica was the daughter of Harriet Russcol Zissman and Dan Zissman. She is survived by her husband, Morton Isaacson, her brothers, Joshua and Adam Zissman, and her mother, Harriet Zissman. Preceding her in death were her father, Dan Zissman, and her sisters, Beverly Zissman and Merrill Zissman Allen. She prized her relationships with her large extended family and was the archivist for old family photos. A celebration of her life will be held this spring. Those wishing to honor Erica may give donations to Breastcancer.org.

View the online memorial for Erica ZISSMAN