Evelyn Falk

Evelyn Falk passed away peacefully in her home in Santa Cruz, CA on May 25, 2013. She was born in Bridgeport, CT, growing up as the middle of three sisters and went to school there. She married Arthur Falk, her husband of 33 years and they lived in New York and New Jersey before the family moved west to Los Angeles in 1948. In 1994, following a major earthquake, she decided to move to Phoenix, AZ and lived there for 11 years. She then moved to Santa Cruz, CA, and lived there until her passing. In each of her moves, Evelyn showed an amazing capacity to start over and build full, rich and rewarding lives. She made new friends and found new activities to get involved in. She always found ways to learn with and give back to those around her. Always active, she was appreciated both for her tireless work as well as her knowledge and insights on many topics. She taught and transcribed Braille for over 50 years, still working up until 2 months before her death. She was an avid reader, loved the symphony, theater and travel, and was a life-long learner, always taking classes on a broad range of subjects. She loved her Spiritual community and was active in Temple activities, including Torah Study Group, Hadassah, Senior Network, and Havarah group. She was honored as Woman of the Year by the Jewish Federation Council, San Fernando Valley in 1985. The daily crossword puzzle, Scrabble, Boggle, music, mahjong and playing bridge were constants in her life. When asked shortly before her death about what she hoped she accomplished in her life, she said that she hoped that she had taught her children to live ethical and loving lives. Evelyn is survived by her son, Jeffe Anders, her daughters, Arlene Gotshalk and Debra Falk, her granddaughter Shira Gotshalk and her great-granddaughter Marlowe Gotshalk A Memorial Service will be held Friday, May 31st at 12:00 pm at Temple Beth El, Aptos, CA She will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Home of Peace Cemetery, Santa Cruz, CA. Please send any donations in her name to Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Santa Cruz or to the Temple Beth El Library Fund.