Phyllis Miriam Halpern

Beloved mother and grandmother, Phyllis Miriam Halpern, known affectionately in midtown Manhattan as “the hat lady,” passed away on Wednesday, August 05, 2020 in Albuquerque, NM.

Born June 20, 1936 to Irving and Ida Goldstein, Phyllis and her big brother, Jerry, grew up in Newark and East Orange, NJ. Phyllis studied English and psychology at Wellesley College, received a master’s degree in English from New York University. and a master’s degree in Urban Planning from Hunter College.

A twentieth century renaissance woman and philanthropist, she wrote poetry all her life, sang and studied opera, produced theater and film, and played a pivotal role in a multi-year effort to change the form of NJ county government culminating in 1977’s Essex County Charter Change. A gifted teacher, and lifelong supporter of progressive approaches to children’s education, Phyllis co-founded a mixed income, integrated Montessori School in Newark in 1963 and nurtured the growth of arts-infused Far Brook School in Short Hills, NJ. With the Irving I. Goldstein foundation, Phyllis funded projects in arts, in education, in AIDS awareness, and worked toward peaceful coexistence between Palestinians and Jews in Israel.

Phyllis adored her four children, Belle Linda, Jenny, Sam, and Isaac; and cherished her five grandchildren, Aviva, Lev, Riley, Henry, and Lucy.

Donations in memory of Phyllis are welcome; some causes close to her heart include:

Equal Justice Initiative: https://eji.org/

Inspiring Educators: http://www.inspiringeducators.org/how-to-help

Wildside Cottage and Gardens: https://wildsidecottageandgardens.org/