Obituary of Anne Gitlin

Anne Gitlin Anne Gitlin, a Rochester native, passed away on April 15, 2008 at the Jewish Home of Rochester in Brighton. She had just celebrated her 90th birthday on March 15th and had lived in Brighton for 68 years. Born in Rochester to the late Abraham and Rose Shulman, she graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School. After graduating, she worked and modeled for McCurdy’s Department Store. Her fashion photographs appeared in the “Democrat & Chronicle” and the “Rochester Times-Union”. In 1940, she married Manuel Michael Gitlin, the son of Louis Zalman Gitlin, who was the founder of Gitlin Jewelry, and his wife, Sarah. After her husband opened Gitlin Optical, Mrs. Gitlin became its Office Manager. Together they built a well-known, popular optical business. Her life was spent advocating for the public good and fighting against inequity. In 1949, she successfully campaigned to provide hot lunches for students in Rochester’s poorest schools. As a progressive Democrat, she fought for civil rights, various workers’ protections, and against US involvement in Vietnam. In the mid-1970s, the Democratic Party nominated her for Supervisor of the Town of Brighton. Although Mrs. Gitlin, lost in a close election, she remained a symbol of activism. She was always calling or writing her elected officials about their legislative votes, especially pertaining to contentious issues. Most recently, Mrs. Gitlin organized her friends and garnered a huge number of petition signatures for the Democratic Presidential Primary. She was always registering new voters as well. To the end, she urged an end to US military action in Iraq. Mrs. Gitlin also loved travel and the arts. From the Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts to live performances of the New York City Ballet, the Rochester Philharmonic, GEVA or the Stratford Festival, she never missed an opportunity to visit a cultural venue. As many will remember, her home was always open to one and all, a mecca for family and friends to gather round the table for an excellent meal, delicious desserts and lively conversation. Mrs. Gitlin was predeceased by her husband, Manuel, in 1989, after 48 years of marriage, and a month ago was also predeceased by her companion of ten years, Ory Pranger. She is survived by her loving children and spouses – Eleanor Lange of Manhasset, New York, Marian Newman of Bethesda, Maryland and Louis Gitlin of Malvern, Pennsylvania along with her six grandchildren, two great grandchildren, plus many nieces, nephews and friends. Interment will be held privately at White Haven Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Sunday, May 4, 2008 from 11AM - 1PM at the Summit at Brighton (2000 Summit Circle Dr.). Click here for directions. Memorial contributions may be made to: Jewish Home Foundation 2021 Winton Road South Rochester, New York 14618 Link to the Jewish Home Foundation in her memory... Home Brighton, New York Birthplace Rochester, New York