Amy Gitelman

Amy Margot Gitelman Age 47, died unexpectedly in Berkeley, CA on June 29 2010. Born in Durham, NC on September 1, 1962, Amy was a magna cum laude chemical engineering graduate of North Carolina State University, and received a master's degree in public health from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Amy worked in occupational and environmental medicine until 1996, when she resigned to pursue her passions in the arts. Amy is survived by her husband of 18 years, Mallie J. (M.J.) Paschall IV, of El Cerrito, CA. Also surviving are her parents, Hillel and Honre' Gitelman of Chapel Hill, NC; her brother Stephen Gitelman and wife Anna Bakardjiev, and their children, Jacob, Sofia, and Tobias of San Francisco; brother Daniel and wife Laurie and daughter Meagan of Morrisville, VT; and brother Philip of Chungbuk, South Korea. Her enduring interests were piano and art. She studied classical piano from an early age, and also evolved into a jazz musician. She performed in many different venues, bringing joy to all those who had the good fortune to hear her play. An interest in art began when Amy met Patty Young, who inspired her to begin working with pastels as a plein air pastel artist. It was during this time that Amy decided to leave office work and devote herself to the study of art full-time. In the ensuing years, she had many exhibits of her paintings, and received a number of awards. She was strongly influenced by her grandmother, Belle S.Gitelman, one of the first women to graduate from the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, who also was an artist specializing in oils and watercolors. Amy had a soft heart for those with problems. She was kind, gentle and patient, and took the time to listen intently to others and help out in any way that she could. She excelled in many other areas: delighting loved ones with her culinary skills; rowing with a women's group; and gardening. Hiking and swimming were important to her, and she loved to observe and play with her young niece and nephews. Amy was a source of happiness for the entire family. She will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be held at the Swedenborg Hillside Community Church (1422 Navallier St., El Cerrito, CA 94530) at 3 p.m. on August 28, 2010. Donations in her name may be directed to the North Carolina Botanical Garden, University of North Carolina, CB 3375, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.