Vera Edelman, an angel on Earth, is now an angel in Heaven: She peacefully passed away at her Southfield home on the morning of May 13. Vera was born on August 17, 1923, to Juliana (Zarr) and William V. Kazakevich, of Springfield, Mass., and was one of five daughters. She married Waldo G.A. Edelman MD in May 1943.
Vera was truly one of a kind and the most loving and empathetic person. She was the most extraordinary mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Raising her eight children and spending time with her grandchildren was her life’s passion; there was nothing more important to Vera than her family. She always put others before herself and spent nearly every waking moment, including her final moments, trying to take care of others. Vera’s hobbies included flower gardening; cooking; music (she particularly loved opera, Broadway, and Pavarotti); decorating her house; and she was a dedicated member of the Ladies Aid Society of New Marlborough.
To know Vera was to love her and be loved back unconditionally. Her husband’s job took the family all over the country and world, and while they always came back to Southfield, the Edelmans lived in La Rochelle, France; Shikoku and Yokohama, Japan; Shreveport, La.; Crownpoint, N.M.; Shawnee, Okla.; Arlington, Va.; Washington, D.C.; and Feeding Hills, West Springfield, and Provincetown, Massachusetts. Despite living in many places, Vera made lifelong friends wherever she went. She was especially known by many for her gifts of telling unexpectedly witty jokes and caring for small children. She also had a special fondness in her heart for all animals, great and small.
Vera is survived by her eight children, Peter of Averill Park, N.Y., John of Pembroke, Mass., Paul of Southfield, Mark (Cécile Marsan Edelman) of Toronto, Ontario, James (Carol Lewis Edelman) of Monterey, Julianne Kuhn (Eric Kuhn) of Deltona, Fla., David of Southfield, and Jennifer Edelman (Hal Crine) of Mill River; 15 grandchildren, Erika, Emily, Renee, Scott, Annabel, Jacob, Lindsay, Tyler, Nicole, David, Alex, Benjamin, Levi, Dylan, and Molly; 11 great-grandchildren, Hannah, Scarlett, Abigail, Brandon, Reese, Gabriel, John, Logan, Belle, Lyla and Lucy; two great-grandchildren on the way; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Juliana and William Kazakevich; her husband Waldo G.A. Edelman MD; her sisters, Stella Kabarsky, Sophie Sizdek, Linda Donovan and Helen Connor; her nephew Jeffrey Donovan; her daughter-in-law Trish Meharg Edelman; her great-niece Julie Anna Ouimet; two granddaughters, Jamie Edelman and Leanne Edelman; as well as her beloved dogs, Dutch and Wickie, and numerous cats.
The family of Vera Edelman would like to thank the countless amount of people who have supported Vera, especially over the last decade, in particular those who have become extended family members: Hannah Wilson, Tina Perusse, and Heather Stevenson.
To celebrate Vera’s life, the family will gather at The United Church of New Marlborough (AKA The Southfield Church) at 2 p.m. on May 29, followed by a private burial. Donations may be made to the New Marlborough First Responders (whom we are thankful for, for their extra loving and life-saving care) or to the American Cancer Society, two organizations close to Vera’s heart.
