Freida Cantarow

Freida "Freddie" Beatman Cantarow, of West Hartford, died Friday, December 5, 2008, at the Hebrew Home and Hospital at the age of 97. She was born in Hartford, the daughter of Rose Bordon Beatman and Walter Beatman. She attended local schools in Hartford and graduated from Hartford Public High School. She graduated from Syracuse University in the class of 1932 and did some graduate work at Boston University School of Social Work. She was a member of Beth Israel Temple. She was a Case Supervisor of the Hartford Department of Public Welfare at the height of the depression. She trained many social workers in the greater Hartford area and was instrumental in Starting Cash Relief at the Welfare Department. When she came to the Welfare Department all relief was given "in kind." The Department had its own stores for food and clothing and rent was paid directly. Over a period of years she was actively involved in many cultural, educational, religious and social service organizations in the community. She was president of the local Syracuse Club and on the boards of the Brandeis Woman's Auxiliary, Jewish Children's Service, Hartford Jewish Community Center, Hartt Opera Guild of the University of Hartford, Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood, and Friends of the Hartford Ballet. When she died, she had been a member of the Women's Committee of the Wadsworth Atheneum, for over 45 years. At the time of the Hartford Circus Fire, she was called in to do social service at the Hartford Municipal Hospital. She was married to Peter Cantarow for 64 years. He died in May 2004. She is survived by her daughter-in-law Mary Cantarow and three grandchildren, Joshua, Jeremy, and Madelyn. She was predeceased by her two sons Walter Cantarow and Joseph Cantarow, her brother Joseph Beatman, sisters Edith Shulansky and Blanche Goldsmith. She leaves behind devoted nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and many caring friends. A funeral service will be held in the Silverman Chapel at Beth Israel Temple, 701 Farmington Ave, West Hartford on Sunday, December 14 at 2:00 p.m. with Cantor Pamela Siskin officiating. A reception will follow at her home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her memory may be made to the Beatman-Cantarow Fund in memory of Walter Cantarow at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 10 Columbus Blvd., 8th Floor, Hartford, CT 06106, or a charity of the donor's choice. Molloy Funeral Home and Hebrew Funeral Assoc are assisting with arrangements.

Freida Cantarow

December 16, 1910 - December 5, 2008