Liv O. Pertzoff

HAYDENVILLE, MA - Liv O. Pertzoff, 85, passed away on December 8, 2023, after a brief illness. She was born in Portland, Oregon, to Ethel and Loren Olson on July 2, 1938. As a child she moved back and forth between Portland and Fairbanks, Alaska due to her father's work on the pipeline. As an adolescent, she moved to Philadelphia where she finished high school and began work in the advertising industry. In her mid-twenties, she moved to San Francisco where she found a love for acting, even founding a theatre troupe. Another adventure landed her in Boston where she met Alexander Pertzoff. They married in 1967 and welcomed their only child, a daughter, the following year. Soon after, the family moved to Gloucester where she discovered a talent for sculptural and functional ceramics and opened an artisan's shop. In 1974, Liv came to western Massachusetts to continue her education. She completed her undergraduate degree and earned her Masters' in Social Work from Smith College. For over thirty years, she worked in various local agencies, including Children's Aid and Family Services as well as maintaining a private practice. For many years, Liv participated in a local writing group, and with Gallery of Readers she published stories and memoir pieces.. She was a voracious reader all through her life, especially of long form nonfiction. In her retirement, she moved to Haydenville, where she enjoyed keeping a watchful eye over her ash tree. She lived in a little nature sanctuary on a brook which was a haven to all kinds of wildlife; she kept binoculars by her side to be at the ready. Liv loved having her dear friends visit her there. She was known for her insightful approaches to caring for her clients, her brilliant intellect, her style and her wonderfully great wit. She was preceded in death by her parents and her older sister, Marilyn. She leaves behind many friends, colleagues, cousins, and her sister Victoria (Harry) of NJ, her nephew Brent (Mary Beth) of Philadelphia, nephews Karl (June), Kent, and niece Kimberley (Christopher) all of Oregon, her step-daughter Tatiana (Greg) of PA, her step-son Constantine (Tanya) of HI, her son-in-law Jeremy Reil (she would want you to know she hand-picked him herself) and her daughter Anna, of Florence.

Liv hated winter, the cold and dark, but she made her peace with it when she realized the trees were taking a well-deserved nap. We look forward to gathering to celebrate her life when the trees wake up this spring.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Hampshire Gazette on Jan. 4, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Liv Pertzoff

9 Entries

Ellen Ferber

May 31, 2024

Dear Anna,
Sending you my sincere condolences. I never met you, but in 1982/83 Liv was my supervisor at Children´s Aid, when I was at Smith School for Social Work. She became a dear friend. Though I moved to NY, we kept in touch for several years. She was such an intelligent and fascinating person! I learned so much from Liv. We shared a love of fashion/style. I have always admired your mom, she was a great role model for me. We shared many laughs together!

John t bates

February 23, 2024

liv was my therapist when I was a little boy in first grade. I was actually used as part of her thesis. We met again 2005-ish in the parking lot of the electrical supply store where she asked if my name was John and I said yes and she had tears in her eyes and just kept saying I was her John I was her John, so after that, we did some electrical work for her and we stayed in touch and then drifted apart and then she got back in contact with me again and every time she see me she would say my John, my John. She will always have a spot in my heart. My deepest condolences.

Tania Duvergne

January 21, 2024

To our dearest Anna and family,
Our deepest sympathies for your loss. Liv was truly a remarkable and unforgettable human being. A champion of women whose wisdom and insight was, and remains, much treasured.
With much love, Tania, Lorenzo and Paloma

Tania Duvergne

Planted Trees

Karen Cherry

January 9, 2024

Wonderful Lady ! Will miss her humor and kindness.

Mary-Alice R. Austin

January 6, 2024

Anna,
Thank you for sharing the lovely description of your mom's life. She was a remarkable person who will be missed by so many. I will always treasure the memories of our conversations. See you in the spring.
Love, Mary-Alice

Nancy Bouthilette

January 4, 2024

She enriched my life in so very many ways. She helped lead me through darkness with her compassion, wit and wisdom.

Kimberly Tamarim

January 3, 2024

Dear Anna,

What a life your mother had. There were highs and lows along the way but it was always interesting. Her quick wit, creativity, writing and mind were enviable and I wish there had been more opportunities to share in her life.

Our collective, French, Elliott, Tamarin and Wall families want to express our condolences for the loss of your mother and our Aunt.