Gertrude "Gyt" Seltzer

Gyt had a spark and a fire that was evident to anyone who was fortunate enough to have known her during her extraordinary life. She was born with a self-confidence that never left her, even in the most difficult of times. She believed that she could do anything that she set her mind to and do it better than anyone else. Gyt was born on June 17, 1923 in Boston. She was a first generation American. Her parents emigrated to the U.S. from Eastern Europe. Growing up in Chelsea before and after the Depression, she had few material possessions. From a very early age, she assumed household duties and responsibilities beyond her years when her mother suffered a debilitating injury. Until she married at the age of 19, she had only been out of the State of Massachusetts once. In spite of her circumstances, she almost always described her early years as a happy time. In 1942, after marrying Joseph Seltzer, a naval intelligence officer, she embraced moves with him to Boulder, Colorado, Washington, D.C. and London. Along the way, she developed her own sense of style, collecting antiques and entertaining. When Gyt threw a party, it meant that she spent days beforehand polishing silver, pressing linens and cooking everything from scratch (assorted crepes were a specialty). After all her preparations were done, she would change into a dress that she designed and sewed, put on some makeup, look beautiful and engage her guests in spirited conversations, often about politics and the Middle East. The next day might find her on her hands and knees tiling the basement floor or transplanting shrubs in the yard. Gyt and Joe welcomed to their home in Washington, D.C. people who were new to the city and had been referred to them by friends or family. Many of them soon became regular guests at Gyt's table for a home-cooked meal or on the back porch for an afternoon of conversation. She loved a good off-color joke and, more often than not, forgot the punch line when she tried to retell it. As much as she loved traveling and entertaining, Gyt's true love was babies. She had five children, four of whom survive, and seven grandchildren. Each arrival made her as happy as any person could humanly be. One of her great joys was that she lived long enough to develop meaningful relationships with her grandchildren. Along the way, she suffered through the tragedies of losing her first child, her beloved sister and brother and, in 1991, her husband of almost fifty years. She also suffered a stroke eight years ago. Throughout, she was resilient and persevered, throwing her prodigious energy into her family, volunteer work and, with regard to her stroke, rehabilitation. Her regrets were that she did not live long enough to enjoy great-grandchildren, the election of Hillary Clinton as the first female president of the United States and peace for Israel. Gyt is survived by her children Steven, Marcia (Rich Jaroslovsky), Eric (Wendy), and Suzanne Rosenblum (Bruce) and her grandchildren David and Rebecca Jaroslovsky, Joel and Ian Rosenblum and Lindsey (Dustin Pusch), Annie and Michael Seltzer. Donations in Gyt's memory can be made to: SaBra Hadassah P.O. Box 4292 Sarasota, FL 34230 or Sara's Place, 1804 26th St Ave E, Bradenton, FL 34208 serving the less fortunate elderly of the Tampa Bay area. The family will mourn in private.

Tributes

Gertrude "Gyt" Seltzer

June 17, 1923 - June 8, 2016