Welcome to the memorial page for
Georgia Shepherd Maas
September 21, 1945 ~ May 28, 2017 (age 71) 71 Years Old Light a Candle
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Message from Nancy Tan
June 25, 2017 3:24 PM
It is rare in life that you meet a truly good person. Georgia was that person to me, a sort of North Star of how I wish to be as a person: smart, articulate, nonjudgmental, supportive, caring... so many things. She was much more than a coworker and mentor; she was a second mother in a way, especially when I was far from home. I will miss her deeply.
A candle was lit by Nancy
on June 25, 2017 3:07 PM
Message from Wendi Nichols
June 22, 2017 8:11 PM
Some people are your colleagues for a time, and you enjoyed them during that time, and think fondly of them afterward, but the relationship was what it was, and doesn't really continue.
Georgia wasn't one of those colleagues. Georgia became, and remained, a friend.
It happened gradually. Once she turned up with ashes on her forehead at work and I remembered it was Ash Wednesday and headed over to church myself, and then we knew we had something in common. We would commiserate over how people would say "But I thought you were so intelligent!" when they found out we were practicing Christians. Specifically Episcopalians of a particular variety: devoted to the tradition and at the same time fiercely liberal. Georgia was fierce in defense of anything she held dearly - whether it was her faith, an editorial principle, a colleague, or her beloved family. And Georgia would correct anyone, including my missteps as a manager with perhaps too high a position for how young I was, and I appreciated that about her because other people wouldn't do it.
When my husband died, Georgia's keen love was directed anew toward my bereaved seven-year-old. She and Jan welcomed us to their home in DC and bathed us with warm attention but gave us space at the same time. Georgia never forgot Nikki's birthday or Christmas.
Katherine, Caroline, Dan, Jan - I so wish we could be at the memorial. We love you. It will not always hurt this much, and you will never forget her. And we won't, either.
With great love,
Wendi
Georgia wasn't one of those colleagues. Georgia became, and remained, a friend.
It happened gradually. Once she turned up with ashes on her forehead at work and I remembered it was Ash Wednesday and headed over to church myself, and then we knew we had something in common. We would commiserate over how people would say "But I thought you were so intelligent!" when they found out we were practicing Christians. Specifically Episcopalians of a particular variety: devoted to the tradition and at the same time fiercely liberal. Georgia was fierce in defense of anything she held dearly - whether it was her faith, an editorial principle, a colleague, or her beloved family. And Georgia would correct anyone, including my missteps as a manager with perhaps too high a position for how young I was, and I appreciated that about her because other people wouldn't do it.
When my husband died, Georgia's keen love was directed anew toward my bereaved seven-year-old. She and Jan welcomed us to their home in DC and bathed us with warm attention but gave us space at the same time. Georgia never forgot Nikki's birthday or Christmas.
Katherine, Caroline, Dan, Jan - I so wish we could be at the memorial. We love you. It will not always hurt this much, and you will never forget her. And we won't, either.
With great love,
Wendi
A candle was lit by Natalie Doyle-Hennin (ICOH)
on June 21, 2017 3:35 PM
Message from Lynn (Laitman) and Don Siebert
June 17, 2017 3:14 PM
Dear Jan, Katherine, Dan and Caroline,
News of Georgia's death hit us hard. It is so difficult to fathom that someone so vital and alive is so suddenly gone. Georgia and I were classmates, dorm -mates and hallmates at Vassar's Cushing dorm for three of our four years...and we shared many memories, experiences as well as classes in the German department working with our profs, Ms. McKenzie and Mrs. Corcoran...My husband Don and I shared a holiday correspondence with Georgia over these past 54 years...and, on occasion, got together in NYC when we both lived there (1969-73) and once or twice when we'd come in from NJ in later years...I had sincerely hoped we'd see Georgia and Jan at the 50th Vassar reunion this past weekend (June 9-11), only to learn then of her sudden and much too early death! . It hit us both very hard.
She was such a special person - and led a rich and meaningful life on so many levels. We remember hearing about her time in Poughkeepsie, knowing of her devotion during her mom's final years in Allentown, her pleasure at being an editor for Oxford University Press and enjoying living in Brooklyn....We also know how much joy Katherine brought her over the years and what a special happiness she enjoyed in retirement, moving to Alexandria so she could enjoy Katherine, Dan and her precious grandchild. She was excited and happy about this new chapter in her life. Since we too have a daughter and grandchildren in northern VA, we had often talked about getting together the next time we were down from NJ. We are so sorry we didn't make that happen. In fact, we almost called June 3rd when we unexpectedly found ourselves in Alexandria...but sadly, we didn't and she was already gone by then.
Words are never adequate at such times...everything seems to be a platitude...but we do want you to know that I and many others at the Vassar reunion shared fond memories of Georgia and thought a great deal about her kindness, her wit and her caring during this landmark reunion. Although she wasn't physically there, she was very much present in our hearts and minds...and we will remember and treasure her memory.
We are truly sorry for your loss -- and for our own - Georgia was someone who truly touched our lives in so many ways. May the comfort of good memories, the closeness of family and friends during this time bring you some comfort and peace.
With heartfelt condolences,
Lynn and Don Siebert
News of Georgia's death hit us hard. It is so difficult to fathom that someone so vital and alive is so suddenly gone. Georgia and I were classmates, dorm -mates and hallmates at Vassar's Cushing dorm for three of our four years...and we shared many memories, experiences as well as classes in the German department working with our profs, Ms. McKenzie and Mrs. Corcoran...My husband Don and I shared a holiday correspondence with Georgia over these past 54 years...and, on occasion, got together in NYC when we both lived there (1969-73) and once or twice when we'd come in from NJ in later years...I had sincerely hoped we'd see Georgia and Jan at the 50th Vassar reunion this past weekend (June 9-11), only to learn then of her sudden and much too early death! . It hit us both very hard.
She was such a special person - and led a rich and meaningful life on so many levels. We remember hearing about her time in Poughkeepsie, knowing of her devotion during her mom's final years in Allentown, her pleasure at being an editor for Oxford University Press and enjoying living in Brooklyn....We also know how much joy Katherine brought her over the years and what a special happiness she enjoyed in retirement, moving to Alexandria so she could enjoy Katherine, Dan and her precious grandchild. She was excited and happy about this new chapter in her life. Since we too have a daughter and grandchildren in northern VA, we had often talked about getting together the next time we were down from NJ. We are so sorry we didn't make that happen. In fact, we almost called June 3rd when we unexpectedly found ourselves in Alexandria...but sadly, we didn't and she was already gone by then.
Words are never adequate at such times...everything seems to be a platitude...but we do want you to know that I and many others at the Vassar reunion shared fond memories of Georgia and thought a great deal about her kindness, her wit and her caring during this landmark reunion. Although she wasn't physically there, she was very much present in our hearts and minds...and we will remember and treasure her memory.
We are truly sorry for your loss -- and for our own - Georgia was someone who truly touched our lives in so many ways. May the comfort of good memories, the closeness of family and friends during this time bring you some comfort and peace.
With heartfelt condolences,
Lynn and Don Siebert
A candle was lit by Mary, Keith, Teresa, and Regina Christiansen
on June 11, 2017 12:47 PM
Message from Mary Christiansen
June 11, 2017 12:46 PM
Georgia's Katherine and my youngest, Regina, were born around the same time, and we met when they were newborns at a playground on Riverside Drive. We became good friends, and I have so many happy memories of sitting with her on that park bench. Georgia was a devoted mother and a generous friend.
A Spathiphyllum was sent on June 8, 2017
To Jan, Katherine, Dan, Caroline, and the Shepherd Maas family - A beautiful plant for Georgia's beautiful and kind spirit. Wishing you peace and comfort, and keeping you in our prayers, on this day and all days ahead. With much love and our deepest sympathy - Susan, Dave and Jordan Fisher
A candle was lit by Christiane Stamm Sander, Parkland Highschool, 1963
on June 7, 2017 6:43 AM
A candle was lit by Barbara and Tom Trocco
on June 4, 2017 12:49 AM
A candle was lit by Robin Noorda
on June 3, 2017 9:05 PM
A Spathiphyllum was sent on June 3, 2017
With caring thoughts and loving memories of Georgia Maas. Lynne Ruffini and Amy Crossfield
A candle was lit by Harlene Michaels
on June 3, 2017 1:50 PM
Message from Harlene Michaels
June 3, 2017 1:49 PM
Thank you for the lovely bio. I am a high school classmate of Georgia's and liked her, and it was good to read about her life well-lived. I hope your memories of her will bring you comfort.
Message from Hershel Dorney
June 6, 2017 3:35 PM
It was with deep sadness that I heard of Georgia's passing for we were friends in grade school and all thru high school. We both attended the James W. Good School grade school where her mother-Mrs. Shepherd to us- often was our substitute teacher. We shared many classes in high school where she always got "A's." She laughted at my jokes and added her own little 'chuckle' and always seemed in good spirits. One could find her in the library most days.
After graduation I didn't pick up our friendship again until the late seventies when she and Jan were living in NY and she was working on a book. She always was a woman "of letters" although I always thought she was an English Lit person; I had forgotten about the German. When our daughter first came home from Korea and Katherine was a baby, we visited Georgia and Jan in the city and listened to Prarie Home Companion which I had not heard before.
Around the time of our 50th reunion of Parkland, she sent out an email asking who was going and told us a little about her life. She used the word 'besotted' and I thought: "That's Georgia",(as I looked up its meaning), and she probably knew the word in German too!
Karen and I only live a mile from the house on Cedar Crest where she grew up, so I will be thinking of her and our days at PHS every time I drive by. So many memories.
After graduation I didn't pick up our friendship again until the late seventies when she and Jan were living in NY and she was working on a book. She always was a woman "of letters" although I always thought she was an English Lit person; I had forgotten about the German. When our daughter first came home from Korea and Katherine was a baby, we visited Georgia and Jan in the city and listened to Prarie Home Companion which I had not heard before.
Around the time of our 50th reunion of Parkland, she sent out an email asking who was going and told us a little about her life. She used the word 'besotted' and I thought: "That's Georgia",(as I looked up its meaning), and she probably knew the word in German too!
Karen and I only live a mile from the house on Cedar Crest where she grew up, so I will be thinking of her and our days at PHS every time I drive by. So many memories.
Message from Katherine Maas
June 10, 2017 9:31 AM
Thank you so much for posting, Hershel--I remember Mom talking about you and I love hearing stories and memories of her.
Message from katherinemaas@gmail.com
June 3, 2017 4:41 PM
Thank you, Harlene. We do indeed have many wonderful memories of Mom and tributes from all the people who loved her.
Message from Adele Barker
June 3, 2017 11:52 AM
It was 1976 on the upper west side of Manhattan. Three young women were busy at the typewriters, typing up the dissertation of one of them. The husband of one was doing his part, the cats were circling, and cookies were emerging at regular intervals from the oven (chocolate chip being the defining variety along with some snickerdoodles and oatmeal raisin). The weekend stretched on into Monday and then some until the dissertation was done.
How do you define friendship? Many have tried their hand at it, but often it is best defined by the images/the moments that form its strong core. It was Georgia who had said to me, “We can all type up your dissertation. It will be fine!” And amazingly it was. Working eating, cursing, eating again and finally finishing. I don’t know anyone in the world who would have made that offer, but Georgia made it. That is the kind of person she was, attentive to the people she cherished.
Our friendship was formed and cemented in the graduate classrooms of NYU where we were both students of Comparative Literature. Georgia went the way of the Germans, I the way of the Russians. Those years drew us together-school, Georgia meeting Jan, the wedding, the ridiculous tale of sneaking the cats into the apartment on Park Ave. in a pillowcase. Poor cats.
With the years came geographic separation, but the friendship continued happily negotiating the distances. Oh, the places we have been together. Allentown Pa., West (by God) Va, West Park, NY, Seattle, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Tucson, Paris, Mexico with the kids, and of course Washington, D.C.
Georgia’s Dad and my Dad died within days of each other. We were bonded by grief. Our children, despite age difference and most of the continent between them, grew up together; Katherine and Noah playing in the sand in Rocky Point, Mexico and looking for shells. All of us cheering Katherine on at her graduation from Vassar and then her marriage to Dan. They were the intersections that a long cherished friendship brings.
She was the sister I never had.
We loved soap, we gave each other lavender. When I came to visit the chocolate chip cookies were always ready. And oh, how she loved the ocean, next to England that is.
“Maybe when Caroline is older, she and Katherine and I can come out and we can all go to Rocky Point again,” she told me not long ago. She wanted to continue those traditions, to pass them down through the generations. I wanted that too. And we will.
This was her last e-mail to me.
“Belated Happy Mother’s Day to you too! Caroline, Katherine, and I went to a Mother’s Day tea at a historic house museum in Alexandria on Sunday afternoon, had a lovely time.
Are you home? How are you? What’s happening? We’ve been thinking of you, wondering where you are.”
Love you,
Georgia.
Love you too, dear friend, now and always,
Adele
How do you define friendship? Many have tried their hand at it, but often it is best defined by the images/the moments that form its strong core. It was Georgia who had said to me, “We can all type up your dissertation. It will be fine!” And amazingly it was. Working eating, cursing, eating again and finally finishing. I don’t know anyone in the world who would have made that offer, but Georgia made it. That is the kind of person she was, attentive to the people she cherished.
Our friendship was formed and cemented in the graduate classrooms of NYU where we were both students of Comparative Literature. Georgia went the way of the Germans, I the way of the Russians. Those years drew us together-school, Georgia meeting Jan, the wedding, the ridiculous tale of sneaking the cats into the apartment on Park Ave. in a pillowcase. Poor cats.
With the years came geographic separation, but the friendship continued happily negotiating the distances. Oh, the places we have been together. Allentown Pa., West (by God) Va, West Park, NY, Seattle, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Tucson, Paris, Mexico with the kids, and of course Washington, D.C.
Georgia’s Dad and my Dad died within days of each other. We were bonded by grief. Our children, despite age difference and most of the continent between them, grew up together; Katherine and Noah playing in the sand in Rocky Point, Mexico and looking for shells. All of us cheering Katherine on at her graduation from Vassar and then her marriage to Dan. They were the intersections that a long cherished friendship brings.
She was the sister I never had.
We loved soap, we gave each other lavender. When I came to visit the chocolate chip cookies were always ready. And oh, how she loved the ocean, next to England that is.
“Maybe when Caroline is older, she and Katherine and I can come out and we can all go to Rocky Point again,” she told me not long ago. She wanted to continue those traditions, to pass them down through the generations. I wanted that too. And we will.
This was her last e-mail to me.
“Belated Happy Mother’s Day to you too! Caroline, Katherine, and I went to a Mother’s Day tea at a historic house museum in Alexandria on Sunday afternoon, had a lovely time.
Are you home? How are you? What’s happening? We’ve been thinking of you, wondering where you are.”
Love you,
Georgia.
Love you too, dear friend, now and always,
Adele
Message from Mary Jane Williams
June 4, 2017 8:04 AM
How amazing and what a shame that you and I never happened to be visiting Georgia at the same time so never met over all these years. Yet! In her honor we and Katherine, Jan and Caroline should get together some time. Georgia will be there in spirit, for sure. She wouldn't miss that gathering. (Me, I can't stop being mad she was cheated out of 20 years. I know she had every intention to live to 93 like her mother did.)
Actually I know why we didn't visit at the same time. Not enough bedrooms for both of us at once. She was probably glad to spread us out, enjoy us separately. But I know I would have loved to join your Ph.D. thesis typing session in 1976. And the decades of friendship from then on. Hurray for Friends like Georgia!!! -- if there are any.
Actually I know why we didn't visit at the same time. Not enough bedrooms for both of us at once. She was probably glad to spread us out, enjoy us separately. But I know I would have loved to join your Ph.D. thesis typing session in 1976. And the decades of friendship from then on. Hurray for Friends like Georgia!!! -- if there are any.
A candle was lit by Rosi Urbine
on June 3, 2017 9:16 AM
A candle was lit by Adele Barker
on June 2, 2017 10:02 AM
Message from Mary Jane Williams
June 1, 2017 6:26 PM
Georgia’s sudden departure will leave a gaping hole in my life. We’ve known each other since we were students at Middlebury German School, summer of 1970, then at the University of Mainz where we collaborated on a term paper. (The Germans are big on collaboration.) For 47! years we’ve been visiting each other at our various homes, talking on the phone, and now emailing.
We had daughters around the same time. During their childhood we got together every few months so they could play and we could talk. We had every intention of getting her little granddaughter and my little grandson together, too, as soon as we could arrange it.
Georgia and I shared the tiniest worries we wouldn’t bother anybody else about. (The latest: she said I should not worry about my grandson’s dry, irritated nose. See? To nobody but Georgia would I have mentioned it but I told her about it knowing she would sympathize. Nothing was too trivial to talk about to Georgia. She was always interested. She answered every single point you made in an email. Always taking an optimistic view of the situation, while diplomatically advocating caution. “It will probably be fine….but you might want to ---“)
I used to have more money than Georgia, probably. But in recent years she’s had more than I do. “Never mind who has what,” was her feeling. “I think you should have some of your furniture with you when you move to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan,” she told me in 2011. So she paid to send it from Massachusetts! When I recently wanted to have a needed operation at the Mayo Clinic she sent money for that! And was the first to call to find out how I was after the operation.
Never was there a better, kinder, more generous friend.
I don’t know what I’m going to do without her.
We had daughters around the same time. During their childhood we got together every few months so they could play and we could talk. We had every intention of getting her little granddaughter and my little grandson together, too, as soon as we could arrange it.
Georgia and I shared the tiniest worries we wouldn’t bother anybody else about. (The latest: she said I should not worry about my grandson’s dry, irritated nose. See? To nobody but Georgia would I have mentioned it but I told her about it knowing she would sympathize. Nothing was too trivial to talk about to Georgia. She was always interested. She answered every single point you made in an email. Always taking an optimistic view of the situation, while diplomatically advocating caution. “It will probably be fine….but you might want to ---“)
I used to have more money than Georgia, probably. But in recent years she’s had more than I do. “Never mind who has what,” was her feeling. “I think you should have some of your furniture with you when you move to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan,” she told me in 2011. So she paid to send it from Massachusetts! When I recently wanted to have a needed operation at the Mayo Clinic she sent money for that! And was the first to call to find out how I was after the operation.
Never was there a better, kinder, more generous friend.
I don’t know what I’m going to do without her.
A candle was lit by Mary Jane Williams, Sarah Brown and Jonah Brown
on June 1, 2017 5:54 PM
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