WOOSTER — Julia Amster Fishelson was born on October 24, 1924, and passed on September 12, 2013, in Cleveland. She was a second-generation, life-long resident of Wooster, while maintaining a second home in her beloved French Quarter of New Orleans. Born in Cleveland to 40-year-old Sadie Glick Amster and Nick S. Amster, she was an only child. Her father ran a men’s clothing store on the northwest corner of the square in Wooster. She was a 1942 graduate of Wooster High School and a 1946 graduate of Vassar College with a B.A. in economics. After being accepted to the law school at Western-Reserve University, she took the more normal path of a girl of her time, and married Joseph Eli Fishelson, a captain from Wisconsin and the war who was 10 years her senior and who would be her husband for 44 years, from 1947 until his passing in 1991. She is survived by her three children, Nicholas Amster Jay Fishelson born in 1948; Ida Sue Fishelson born in 1950; and David Joseph Fishelson born in 1956; as well as four grandchildren, Samuel (18), Natasha (16), Eli (15), Max (15) and her daughters-in-law, Sarah Jane Buck and Erana Kratounis.
Julie was a world traveler who maintained countless contacts from her journeys, and a great friend to many causes, beliefs, and individuals. She described herself as a civic activist with emphasis on women’s issues, politics, community development, education and the arts, as well as an enthusiast of early traditional New Orleans jazz. She was a founder of the Ida Sue
School – Nick Amster Sheltered Workshop, the Wayne Center for the Arts, Main Street Wooster, the Wooster League of Women Voters and Every Woman’s House (to whom she donated her childhood home). She served as a board member or committee member at The College of Wooster, Massachusetts School of Law, Anti-Defamation League (regional board), National Jewish Council, American Israel Public Affairs Council, Planned Parenthood of North Central Ohio and Ohio Citizens for the Arts. A major supporter of the Democratic Party, she was an Ohio delegate at the national convention of 2000.
As a cousin accurately described her, she will be missed by thousands. Miss Julie will roam our lives forever.
A fuller appreciation will appear soon.
A service will be held today at McGaw Chapel, The College of Wooster, with a viewing from 12 noon to 2 p.m.; service to follow.
Arrangements are being made by McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home.
 

Memorial Contributions

Service
Sunday September 15, 2013 at 2:00 PM at McGaw Chapel

Visitation
Sunday September 15 from 12:00 Noon until 2:00 PM at McGaw Chapel