Faye Ruth Stillman Obituary (1936 - 2020)

Age 83, passed away peacefully on August 11th, 2020. Dedicated mother, grandmother, great grandmother and wife, she enriched the lives of the people around her with compassion, humor, or tough love as required. “Sossie”, (as the grandkids call her) was at her best teaching important life lessons, not just to her own children, but to anyone who had lost their way and was in need. Her penmanship and grammar were unequaled. You would be ill-advised to say “took” around her when you meant “taken”. Her wit was as razor sharp as her mahjong game and her tenacity, legendary. She was a force throughout her life and not one to be trifled with; although she could make a mean trifle! She was never one to sit still. In difficult times, in a society where women were not treated equally or even fairly, she worked multiple jobs while single handedly raising three children to whom she would champion her values of kindness, generosity, and fortitude. In the second half of her life she found her soulmate in Ralph and together they found a way to make six kids from two homes feel like a family. And throughout it all…a sense of purpose. To improve the lives and opportunities for others through their shared love of community, charity and life. Preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Stillman; parents, Dorothy & Micky Franzman; siblings, Al and Bob Franzman; daughter, Linda (James) Pinsky Griffiths; grandchildren, Isabel Chelstrom and Max Stillman; and brother-in-law, Lee Sudit. Survived by children, Lee Pinsky, Andy (Cass) Stillman, Bruce Stillman, Sara (Marty) Chelstrom and David Pinsky; grandchildren, Sarah (Ryan) Martin, Elizabeth (Mike) Lewis, Alexandra Stillman, Grace (Dan) Stillman, Carly, Grant and Macey Chelstrom; great-grandchildren, Laya, CJ and Ella Martin; sister-in-law, Phyllis Sudit; and brother-in-law, Tommy (Liba) Stillman as well as many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and beloved pet Chihuahua, Zena. Thank you to the dedicated staff at English Rose Suites for your care, commitment and empathy. You are without equal. And to her personal caregivers, Aimee Chelman and Janelle Jacobson, words cannot thank you enough for all you did for Faye. You were much more than caregivers, you were her friends. Thank you for filling her final years with your selfless love, and devotion. Due to Covid19, the funeral service will be 12:00 pm on FRIDAY, August 14th via Zoom. Although it’s not in person you can still honor her memory by making donations in her name to either of her two favorite charities: JFCS or the Children’s Crisis Nursery. SHIVA 4:30 pm on Friday. Please email zoom3@hodroffepstein.com for zoom links.