Ethel Falkin Fried

Ethel Falkin Fried, 93, of West Hartford, passed away peacefully at home on March 9, surrounded by loved ones. She was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend.

Ethel was born in Hartford, the daughter of the late Edward Falkin and Ruth Berinsky (Berins) Falkin. She was predeceased in 1988 by her husband of 30 years, Norbert I. B. Fried.

She graduated as valedictorian of William Hall High School in 1950 and earned a BFA at Syracuse University in 1954. She enjoyed a 30-year career in non-profit public relations that began at the West Hartford Public Library, where she did groundbreaking work in library public relations that earned regional and national awards. Concurrently she served as public relations consultant to the Capitol Region Library Council, where she developed an innovative cooperative public relations pilot project and created an award-winning public newsletter that achieved statewide and then national circulation. She served as director of public relations for Hartford College for Women and ended her career as vice president for communications and development at Child & Family Services (now the Village for Families and Children).

Ethel maintained an active parallel career as a freelance writer. She served as book editor for the Imprint Newspaper Group from 1977 to 1988 and as garden columnist for the Manchester Journal Inquirer from 1992 to 2009. She was also a regular contributor to West Hartford Life and the Connecticut Horticultural Society newsletter.

Ethel was active in a number of community and professional organizations. She served on the board of the West Hartford Public Library for 10 years, including 2 years as board chair. She also served on the boards of Congregation Beth Israel, the Hartford Women's Network, and The Learning Center. She served for several years on the Public Relations Advisory Committee of the Greater Hartford Chapter of the American Red Cross and as an officer of the Connecticut Valley Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, which honored her with its Merit Award. She was an active member of the Connecticut Horticultural Society, and she taught college courses on public relations for non-profits at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Ethel was an active artist for many years; her work was seen in one-woman and juried shows around the greater Hartford area. In retirement her garden became her canvas, and she indulged in her passion for gardening full-time.

Ethel had a wide range of other interests. She was an avid fan of UConn women's basketball. She also enjoyed classical music, particularly opera; puzzles of all sorts; reading; cooking and baking; and playing with her cats. She was known for pesto dinners made with her home-grown basil, and for her chocolate mousse cake.

Her greatest pleasure was in spending time with her children, grandchildren, friends, and family.

Survivors include her children, Ellen Fried and Edward Fried (Angela); her grandchildren, Caroline Fried and Landon Fried; her nieces and nephews, Elise Falkin, Leslie Fialkievicz (Michael), Joshua Fried (Mickey), and Emily Fried (Brad Cavallo); her brother-in-law, Drew Fried (Marty); and many cousins and dear friends.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her brother, Howard Falkin; her sister-in-law, Barbara Fried; and her beloved cats, Seiji and Shayna.

The family held a private graveside service, where Ethel was laid to rest beside her husband. A celebration of life is planned for later in the spring, when the flowers are in bloom, which is how Ethel would want it.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fried Horticultural Collection, South Windsor Public Library, 1550 Sullivan Ave., South Windsor, CT 06074; Protectors of Animals (poainc.org ), 144 Main St., Unit O, East Hartford, CT 06118; Our Companions Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 956, Manchester, CT 06045; or Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, Inc.