Estelle Gelman

GELMAN ESTELLE GELMAN Prominent Philanthropist dies at 83 Mrs. Melvin Gelman of Washington, DC and Palm Beach, Florida, died on Friday, October 23, 2009 at her home in Washington, DC. She was surrounded by her family at the time. Mrs. Gelman was born on February 25, 1926, in Washington, DC, to Meyer and Edith Sody. She graduated from Central High School and received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the George Washington University. Mrs. Gelman was married to Melvin Gelman of Washington, DC. Subsequent to his death in 1978, Mrs. Gelman assumed the position of President of the Gelman Companies, a Washington, DC-based real estate company founded by her father-in-law, Elias Gelman. She was a renowned philanthropist, serving on boards of numerous organizations including The American Cancer Society (where she served as the first female President), The Jewish Foundation for Group Homes, Israeli Bonds, the Jewish Social Service Agency, The United States Holocaust Museum and Iona House. Mrs Gelman served as a trustee at the George Washington University as well as the Adas Israel Congregation. Mrs. Gelman endowed The Gelman Library at the George Washington University in honor of her late husband as well as the Melvin Gelman Religious School of Adas Israel Congregation. She also endowed the Melvin and Estelle Gelman Library at the Georgetown Day High School in Washington, DC. She was a member of Woodmont Country Club (Washington, DC), Palm Beach Country Club (Palm Beach, FL), and The Cosmos Club (Washington, DC). Mrs. Gelman is survived by her two daughters, Elise Lefkowitz and her husband Marc, and Elaine Miller and her husband William; her five grandchildren, Robin Friedman and her husband Brian, Michael Miller and his wife Jennifer, Matthew Lefkowitz, Charlotte Lefkowitz and Harrison Miller; her great-grandson Ryan Miller; and her sister, Charlotte Rudden. Services will be held Sunday October 25 at 2 p.m. at Adas Israel Congregation in Washington, DC; interment will follow at King David Memorial Garden Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Alzheimer''s Association or the George Washington University Library.Services will be held Sunday October 25 at 2 p.m. at Adas Israel Congregation in Washington, DC; interment will follow at King David Memorial Garden Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Alzheimer''s Association or the George Washington University Library.