Shanie Selkovits Obituary

Shanie T. Selkovits died peacefully at her home Friday, July 30, 2021, surrounded by her daughters. Shanie was born Sept. 15, 1926, to attorney David Turets and homemaker and activist Leah Turets, of Pittsburgh. She graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School at age 16 and earned a B.A. in English and business from the University of Pittsburgh. After graduation, Shanie worked as a copywriter and occasional model for various Pittsburgh department stores and advertising agencies. After a few years, she took the bold step for her era of moving on her own to New York City, where she was a copywriter for leading NY agencies and lived in a women's residential hotel off Madison Avenue. Upon returning to Pittsburgh a few years later, she resumed copywriting and a busy dating life...until family friends introduced Shanie to Dr. Sidney Selkovits. They became engaged three months after meeting, and in April 1954, Shanie wore a pale blue cocktail dress to marry Sidney at the Park Schenley in Oakland. Their first home was the "Mole Hole," a basement apartment in the house they and their growing family soon occupied in its entirety. As her four daughters grew up, Shanie became very active outside of the home, whether volunteering, working at village shops or helping to teach second grade at Sewickley Academy. She also returned to school, earning a master's in literature from Carnegie Mellon. Shanie was a profoundly loving and generous wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. She was a voracious reader and peerless wordsmith who dashed off witty poems to commemorate events that caught her eye and made up delightful stories to entertain her children, granddaughter and other close relatives and friends. She had an encyclopedic knowledge of Hollywood's golden age. Although she would be the first to admit that cooking was not a great interest of hers, she made divine brisket. Shanie was predeceased by her beloved husband, Sidney; eldest daughter, Celia; and her brother, Maxim (Miki) Turets. She is survived by daughters, Annie Selkovits (Ross Taylor), of Stamford, Conn., Letty Selkovits, of New York City; and Fran Dava Selkovits (David P. Benton), of Kyiv, Ukraine; granddaughter, Leah Sidney Taylor, of Stamford, Conn.; and many close nieces and nephews spanning multiple generations. Burial will be private. A memorial celebration will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 2, at RICHARD D. COLE FUNERAL HOME. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Pajama Program, pajamaprogram.org.

Published by Triblive Online Only on Jul. 31, 2021.
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5 Entries

As a friend of Celia's from Bard College, I was saddened to read this. A fond memory of mine is that Celia loved her parents, deeply. Rest in piece, Shanie and Celia (06/17/22).

Don Reed

June 17, 2022

Shanie was one of our favorite customers, and favorite people. She was an inspiration to all of us, with her wit, intelligence, and kindness. We will miss you, Shanie. xxxxx all your friends at the Penguin

Susan Hans OConnor - Penguin Bookshop

Work

August 10, 2021

Sending love and thoughts. I will remember Shanie as a kind and gentle soul, who could always make me laugh.

Julie Stone Congdon

Friend

August 2, 2021

I didn´t know your mom, but I recognized the name Turets. Leah was a friend of my grandmother, Sophie Meyers. I have a nice memory of going with my grandmother (late 50s/early 60s) to Leah´s house for their Canasta game. I´m so sorry for your loss.

Sabina Rosenfeld

August 2, 2021

Although I did not know your mother personally, the lovely stories that Fran shared with many of us at ACS gave her a warm substance.

My deepest sympathies are with you all.

Laureen

Laureen DuPree

Family

August 1, 2021

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Celebration of Life

5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Richard D. Cole Funeral Home Inc.

328 Beaver St, Sewickley, PA 15143

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Richard D. Cole Funeral Home Inc.

328 Beaver St, Sewickley, PA 15143

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