Adeline (Addie) Shumsker Levin (née Jacobs) age 102, passed away peacefully under hospice care at Sholom East/Bentson Assisted Living in St. Paul, Minnesota on November 19, 2022.
Addie was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Pauline and Cy Jacobs and grew up in New York City where she developed her lifelong love of music, theater and dance.
In 1943 she married Max Shumsker, while he was serving in the U.S. Army. Addie worked at the Boston Naval Shipyard while Max was stationed in England during WWII. When he returned from Europe, they moved to Tacoma, Washington where Max was stationed and Addie worked for the USO at Fort Lewis.
After the war they settled in Dorchester, Mass., where their son Peter and daughter Barbara were born. Addie and Max then moved to Milton, Mass. where she was active in B’nai B’rith, acted in local theater and sang with the Mayflower Chorus. Addie worked as an administrative assistant at Brandeis University, from 1965 to 1972.
The Shumskers moved to Waban, Mass. in 1968. Addie’s beloved husband Max passed away suddenly in 1972. After his passing, she took over his business as a manufacturers’ representative in the furniture industry, covering the territory of the six New England states. Addie was a pioneer, as there were very few women reps in the furniture industry at that time.
In 1982 Addie was introduced by friends to Sidney Levin, who was also a manufacturers’ representative. They fell in love and married in 1983. Addie and Sid divided their time between Avon, Connecticut and the condo she had previously purchased in Delray Beach, Florida.
When Sid passed away in 1988, Addie went back to work as a rep in the gift industry until the early 1990s, when she retired full time to Florida. She was active in the Lifelong Learning Society at Florida Atlantic University and was an usher at events there. She was also a Docent at the Cartoon Art Museum in Boca Raton. Addie enjoyed being active, playing bridge, reading and doing the New York Times crossword puzzles.
Addie loved talking about her family, including grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, grand puppies and many other extended friends and family.
Addie was predeceased by her son Peter Shumsker and is survived by her daughter Barb Shumsker (Deb Nugent) of St. Paul, MN, grandsons Marc and Michael (Maya) and great grandchildren Ryan, Jake, Noam and Pelé.
The family would like to thank the staff, caregivers, and GC at Sholom East/Bentson Assisted Living for their help, kindness and support.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Addie’s name to Hadassah at Hadassah.org/donate
A private funeral will be held at Sharon Memorial Park in Sharon, MA.
Condolence(1)-
Karen Shamban says
November 30, 2022 at 12:19 amI was privileged to have known Addie for more than 50 years—her family lived one street over from mine and her daughter Barb and I became lifelong best friends. Addie was a force of nature and her positive attitude got her through all of the tough times she had in her life. I was lucky enough to see Addie over the years, whether in Connecticut, Florida, or most recently, in Minnesota. I’m so glad I saw her last month several times while I was visiting. Even though she was declining, she still had a positive attitude. It was wonderful being Addie’s “second daughter “ (I think she had a few of us) and I was proud to call her my second mom. Cheers to a long, well-lived life, Addie! Condolences to Barb, her nephews, and the rest of Addie’s family and friends.