Audrey A. (Abramson) Namowitz

Audrey June Abramson Namowitz, 101, of Southbury, Connecticut, died on Saturday, June 15th (just two days before her 102nd birthday) at the Watermark at East Hill in Southbury, where she had resided since 2011.

Audrey was born to Irving and Aida Chizzik Abramson on June 17, 1917 in Brooklyn, New York. She grew up in Riverdale, attended Evander Childs High School, and received her BA in Art from Hunter College. Upon earning her MA in Fine Art and Art Education from Columbia University, she taught art in the New York high schools. She met Sam Namowitz, a science teacher at one of the high schools where they both were teaching. After their marriage in 1941, she later worked as a painter, book illustrator, toy designer, and raised their two children.  Her scientific drawings illustrated eleven editions of the textbook, Earth Science: The World We Live In (Namowitz & Stone). In 1974, Audrey and Sam retired to Heritage Village in Southbury, the base from which they travelled the world. A gifted Modernist painter and accomplished photographer, Audrey exhibited her art work widely. She enjoyed playing tennis, swimming, hiking, bridge, cooking, and tending to her garden and many houseplants. She was active in the Italian Conversation, Photography, Brush & Pencil, and Travel Clubs. A strongly principled advocate for racial justice, peace, and protection of the environment, Audrey met in a Friday lunch group to engage in lively discussions of current affairs and politics.  Even up to the age of 101 she almost never missed voting in an election. A daily scoop of coffee ice cream may have been the secret to her longevity. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and son-in-law Tom Worthen. She is survived by her daughter Amy Namowitz Worthen of Des Moines, Iowa, and son Daniel Namowitz of Bangor, Maine; her brother Joel Abramson (Doris); granddaughters, Shana Worthen (Colin Stewart) of Loughton, UK, and Stockholm, Sweden, and Maria Worthen (Paolo Sacca) of Falls Church, Virginia; and great-grandchildren, Wren, Giacomo and Pippin.

A private burial of her ashes is on June 21 at New North Cemetery, Woodbury, CT.

A memorial service will take place at a later time, to be determined.

Charitable contributions in Audrey’s memory may be sent to the College of Education at Virginia State University.

Virginia State University

Office of Institutional Advancement

PO Box 9027

Virginia State University, VA 23806

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