Joanne Seltzer

Joanne Z. Seltzer, 91, of Canton, Massachusetts, formerly of Schenectady, New York died on December 16, 2020 in her home at Orchard Cove.

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Joanne received a B.A. from the University of Michigan and an M.A. from the College of St. Rose. Joanne was a poet and freelance writer. Ms. Seltzer (never “Mrs.”) first became a published author at the age of 8, when she had a poem accepted by and printed in “Children’s Playmate Magazine.” She went on to write more than 600 poems, many of which were published in literary journals, anthologies, and newspapers. She is the author of four books of poetry, most recently “Women Born During Tornadoes”. She was also a writer of short fiction and literary essays. She presented her work many times in the Capital District area and elsewhere. A notable presentation was at the National Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Massachusetts. She received numerous honors and awards for her writings. She was a member of the Poetry Society of America, the Hudson Valley Writers Guild, and several other professional organizations. In addition to her writing, Joanne was a longtime member and proud “minyonaire” at Congregation Agudat Achim in Schenectady. She enjoyed travel, Elderhostel trips, and the time that she spent by lakes with her husband and her children, and later with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Joanne was the daughter of the late Samuel Zellman and Ethel Levin Zellman Benz Goldstein. She was married to Stanley Seltzer, whom she met at a Sadie Hawkins Day Dance at the University of Michigan, for over fifty-five years until his passing in 2005. She is survived by her children, Laura Lees (husband David), Ellen Hoffmann, Andrew Seltzer (partner Maura Paterson) and Cindy Seltzer. She also leaves grandchildren Melissa Blackwell; Jonathan (wife Shelby), Daniel, and Benjamin Lees; and great grandchildren Nathan and Ava Blackwell.  

A Memorial Celebration was held via Zoom through Temple Isaiah, Lexington, Massachusetts. An interment service was held in the Agudat Achim Cemetery in Rotterdam, New York where she was laid to rest next to her late husband Stanley. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Ms. Seltzer may make a memorial contribution to Congregation Agudat Achim, 2117 Union Street Niskayuna, NY 12309 or a charity of your choice.

As Joanne requested, her poem that follows was read at her Memorial Celebration and at her Burial Service:

Gone

I am traveling toward. the light that has no scientific source, no planetary influence.

Beyond gravity, beyond space I imitate an astronaut stripped of technological gear and phobias and attitude while all the universe expands into a sci-fi comic strip.

Like a moth I merge with brightness.

Like a ghost I tell my story. Like a star I crumble to dust.

I glow off-site, speculative as the earthbound moon' s private face, definitive as creation.

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