Elsa Shapiro

Elsa Shapiro died peacefully in Ithaca, NY on February 27, 2015. She was born Elsa Walt on November 9, 1923 in Jaegersfontein, South Africa. In the 1940's, she moved in circles of anti-apartheid activists in South Africa. After World War II, she worked in France, for the American Joint Jewish Distribution Committee (JDC), assisting Jewish refugees. There she met her husband, Lou Shapiro, and together they made homes in France, England, India, Denmark, and, since 1973, in the New York City area, finally spending the last years of her life in Ithaca, NY. Elsa was Lou's sounding board for his work for UNICEF, where he worked on the development of rehydration salts as a treatment for children suffering from dehydration, on a smallpox eradication campaign, and other public health projects. In the 1980's, Elsa took up writing, and wrote many fine short stories, several of them published in the New York Times. She loved art, music, flowers, and nature. She is described by family and friends as having been a wonderful and loving woman. Elsa is survived by four children: Yselle Shapiro of Croton-on-Hudson, NY; Jacques (Jay) Shapiro, and his wife, Louise of Bernardsville, NJ; Ian (Mickey) Shapiro and his wife Dalya Tamir of Ithaca, NY; and Phil Shapiro of Washington, DC - and six grandchildren: Heather Shapiro, Holly Fisher and husband Michael Fisher, Marc Shapiro, Shoshana Shapiro, Tamar Shapiro-Tamir and Noa Shapiro-Tamir; and by eight nephews and nieces, including Rabbi Brian Walt of Congregation Tikkun v'Or (Ithaca Reform Temple). The family extends gratitude to Bridges Cornell Heights for being a wonderful home to Elsa for the last few years.

Funeral services will be held at Kensico Cemetery/Sharon Gardens in Valhalla, New York on Tuesday, March 3 at 10:00AM. A memorial service will be held in Ithaca later in March. Donations in Elsa's name may be made to UNICEF. Arrangements are by the Bangs Funeral Home.