Evelyn Rome Tabas

EVELYN ROME TABAS age 100, passed away peacefully on June 13 at her home in Haverford, Pennsylvania.Beloved wife of 54 years to the late Daniel M. Tabas.Born in Brooklyn, New York, she was the daughter of the late Bluma Fine Rome andRabbi, Dr. Sigmund J. Rome. She is survived by a sister, Dorothy Roberts, and the late Marilyn Koeppel.

She will be missed by her loving children, Lee (Nancy), Linda (Murray Stempel), JoAnn(Howard Wurzak), Carol Lynn Tabas, Robert (Janine), Susan Tabas Tepper ; cherished grandmother of Brad, Elizabeth, Ted, Melissa, Adam, Jessica, Alex, Jake, Chelsea,Brittany, Chet, Lily, Greg, Max, Jason, Stephanie, Fitz, Major, Dagny and Baron. She was blessed with 18 great grandchildren.

Evelyn was a graduate of Brooklyn College and the Cooperative School for Teachers,Bank Street. 

Evelyn's interest and concern for children has been a strong thread throughout her life.She was a board member of the former Teen-Aid organization in Philadelphia and was particularly interested in Children's Hospital and the former Lankenau Hospital Service League. She served as honorary chairperson of the "Gift of Time" positive parenting program with the American Family Institute of Valley Forge and as an honorary director of United Cerebral Palsy of Philadelphia. 

Evelyn was on the board of Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania and was a trustee of the Daniel M. Tabas Family Foundation. She was a longtime member of Temple Adath Israel of the Main Line.

Evelyn was a trustee of her graduate school, the Bank Street College of Education. A lifelong learner, she returned and completed her masters degree there at age 70.She was a role model and inspiration for her children and grandchildren.

She was kind, thoughtful and wise. Evelyn was a good listener and a great storyteller.In the days before iPads and headphones, she could make a long car ride like a theater, reading a great adventure book out loud or weaving her own special story.She had an overwhelmingly positive outlook on life. She had an inherent ability to make people feel special, whether they were family, friends, or guests of the family's hospitality enterprises.

What she cared about most was her family, and she delighted in her children and grandchildren's success. She will always be remembered for her kindness and compassion, and generosity.

She was by her husband Daniel's side with love and support during the years of the growing hospitality, banking and real estate businesses. Evelyn was a lady of "quiet elegance," the perfect complement to Dan as described in his biography "Shtarker."She was fond of playing the piano and listened to a wide range of music from classical to country! In the early years, the family home," Acorn Farm," was filled with the sounds of 6 children, horses, dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens and sheep. The aroma of lovingly prepared meals, especially on the Jewish holidays, filled the house.

Evelyn traveled extensively, often with the entire family. International travel adventures to destinations such as Egypt and a cruise inside the Arctic circle in the 1970s was quite adventurous at that time.

However, winters spent at the family home in Miami Beach, Florida, and eventually Palm Beach and Rancho Mirage, California brought her such joy. Summer homes in Quechee, Vermont and Ventnor, New Jersey, were also enjoyed by all the children and grandchildren over the years.

Evelyn had a powerful and enduring faith that sustained her throughout her long life.She imported her sense of values, wisdom and of responsibility upon her children.As the matriarch of the family, her presence brought comfort and joy.

Everyone who knew Evelyn will always cherish memories of her and continue her legacy to smile, love, live life, and contribute to the happiness and wellbeing of others.

Relatives and friends are invited to services Monday June 16th, 11:30am at Adath Israel 250 N Highland Ave, Merion Station, PA 19066. Interment will be private. 

The family will return to the residence of Mr. & Mrs. Howard Wurzak 6:00pm-8:30pm Monday evening. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements by Joseph Levine & Sons www.levinefuneral.com

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