Obituary: Eileen Joan Seidman

Eileen Joan Seidman, 86, lost her decade-long battle with Alzheimer’s disease on Sept. 10, 2018.

With her husband of 65 years, Frank Seidman, Eileen lived the last three years of her life at The Cohen Home in Johns Creek, where she received loving care that improved her quality of life and postponed her inevitable passing.
Eileen was best known as an activist devoted to her community. During the Seidmans’ 20-year residence in Roswell, she led successful efforts to pave and place street lights on Eves Road, build sidewalks to the River Eves Elementary School and widen the intersection of Eves and Holcomb Bridge roads. But her crowning achievement was her 14-year campaign to build the East Roswell Library as founding president of People for the East Roswell Library. She got the land donated, worked with the mayor and city council, relentlessly lobbied the library board and organized an army of volunteers who continue today as Friends of the East Roswell Library.

Besides her unflagging determination, which she brought to everything she did, the secret of her success was kindness. She was friendly to all. She recalled the birthday of everyone she knew and kept a bag of presents handy for visiting children. Many in City Hall remember the holiday gift tin of cookies that she always delivered in person.

The foundation of her life was her 70-year relationship with Frank. They met on a blind date when she was 15 and he was 16. Born in Philadelphia to Paul and Lillian Ladenson, her life’s path took her from Philadelphia, where she was raised; to Louisville, where Frank was in the Army; back to Philadelphia; then in 1968 to Atlanta, where she remained for the rest of her life; except for a short sojourn in North Miami Beach.

She is survived by her husband, Frank; her daughters, Ricki Seidman and Linda Seidman Reif; her son-in-law, Bill Reif; her grandsons, Joshua and Jacob Reif; and her brother, Jack Ladenson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Friends of the East Roswell Library in Eileen’s memory.