Lois Citrin Waldman

Waldman, Lois Citrin. Lawyer, public servant, art and music-lover, gardener, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, died May 9th, 2025 in Croton-on-Hudson, New York, in the home where she had lived for over 65 years. Born in Chicago in 1927, to Henry and Victoria Citrin, she spent her childhood in Forest Hills, Queens, except for a one- year sojourn at age 9, instigated by her adventurous mother, exploring Central America and the West Coast in a big, black Packard.

She received a B.S. at Cornell's School of Labor Relations and then earned a J.D. from Columbia Law School. There, while checking citations in the Law Review offices, she met and was smitten by fellow law student Seymour, another brilliant thinker and committed defender of worker's rights. Theirs was a true marriage of heart and mind.

Her first job out of law school, in 1951, was at the National Labor Relations Board , followed by stints at Harlem Legal Aid, the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, the legal publisher Matthew Bender, and a long tenure as the head of the Committee for Law and Social Action at the American Jewish Congress (AJC). At the AJC, Lois wrote amicus briefs and white papers and orchestrated national conferences on policy issues of enduring importance, including economic justice for women, reproductive rights and the evolving Constitutional jurisprudence surrounding separation of church and state. Of particular significance was her work educating the Jewish community regarding the prevalence of the BRCA gene among Ashkenazi women, refuting the claims of some that acknowledging a genetic link would fuel eugenic bias, and urging wide-spread screening and legislation to prohibit discrimination against those who test positive for the gene.

Lois also served her community as head of the P.T.A., a school-board member and active participant in Democratic politics. In her 80's, she traveled to Pennsylvania to campaign with Seymour in support of Barack Obama's presidential campaign. In recent years, she found kindred spirits in fellow Democratic supporters Laura Seitz, Jean Rivlin, Carole Shaunnesy ,and Lotti Tobler, the "Croton Ladies," whose friendship brought her great pleasure.

While dedicated to her professional work, Lois always put family first. She cheered from the sidelines, giving her children a respectful berth, but always ready with an offer of time, labor, counsel, or a sympathetic ear. When grandchildren came, she delighted in extended visits, holiday gatherings and family trips, including adventures to Egypt, India, Russia and Alaska. She relished her role as matriarch and the family's brick and mortar. In her later years, she would often say, that of the many activities and accomplishments over her long life, her children (and their children) were her greatest joy and source of pride.

A formidable woman, ahead of her time in so many ways, she was admired by family and friends for her warmth, curiosity, fierce wit, and keen discernment. Lois is survived by her sons David, Daniel and Michael and daughter Ellen and six granddaughters, Katy, Emmy, Rachel, Charlotte, Celia and Aviva. She will be dearly missed.