Melinda Tanzman, 82

STEPHENTOWN, N.Y. —  Melinda Tanzman died quietly this winter solstice night at Berkshire Place in Pittsfield Massachusetts. She was born on July 12, 1941, in Jersey City, NJ to Amanda (nee Ludwig) and George Sellick. The oldest of four daughters, Melinda grew up in Brooklyn, NY where she and her father closely followed the Dodgers. Melinda was a natural athlete playing basketball at school and stick ball in her neighborhood. She could reliably hit a ball past three manhole covers – the measure of distance on the street. She was an early reader and loved the Brooklyn Public Library where she received her first library card before the age of six. Melinda studied piano and trained quite seriously through her high school years; even considering a career in classical music. She graduated from St. Savior High School and enrolled in Hunter College in NYC at age 16.

Melinda married Dr. Irving Tanzman in 1960 and they had four children. Melinda completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology at MCLA. She continued her studies in psychology earning a Masters and Doctorate (Ph.D.) from SUNY Albany in 1979. Melinda served on the faculty of the Educational Psychology department at SUNY Albany teaching graduate classes and mentoring generations of school psychologists at the Child Research and Study Center. She provided consultation services on behalf of families and school districts throughout the Albany area. As the consulting psychologist at the Schenectady Head Start program Melinda developed their early literacy program, counseled and supported families, and conducted significant longitudinal research on the impact of early literacy on later school performance. She maintained a small private practice and was licensed as a psychologist in both NY and MA. Active in her local community, Melinda served for many years on the Board of Trustees of Pine Cobble School. As Board Chair in the mid 1990’s she helped facilitate the trade that resulted in Pine Cobble’s acquisition of the Cluett Estate and the gifting of the former Pine Cobble school building to the town of Williamstown to house the library and historical museum.

In 1980 Melinda married the love of her life, Burton Shapiro. They created a wonderful, blended family with six children: Andrew, Loren, Beth, George, David and Jayson. Melinda and Burt enjoyed tennis, classical concerts, and regularly traveled to Southwestern Florida for as much time as their busy careers allowed. They built a lovely home in Stephentown, NY to split the distance of their regular commutes to work in Albany and North Adams respectively.

Melinda is pre-deceased by her younger sister Valerie Bell and beloved son, David Tanzman. She is survived by her husband, Burt Shapiro; and their children and spouses: Beth (Craig), George (Phelia), and Jayson (Jen) Tanzman, and Andrew (Christine) and Loren (Jeanie) Shapiro. Her sisters Mary Weigand, Jeanmarie Trosko and Selma Shapiro survive her as does her brother Stuart Shapiro. Melinda is also survived by seven grandchildren: Kaitlin Levesque, Leah, Rachel and Ben Tanzman, Max, Nina and Casey Shapiro and by two great grandchildren Alexis Taylor and Sam Shapiro.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm on December 26 at the Beth Israel Cemetery 512 Walker St. Clarksburg, MA 01247.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor may be made to the Pine Cobble School 163 Gale Rd. Williamstown, MA 01267. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com