Surrounded by her devoted family, Jessica Friedman Waldman, 74, passed away Jan. 12 after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. Jessica, of Deep River, (formerly of Westport), will be remembered always by her husband of 16 years, Carl Thompson, her children Stacy Bass and David Waldman, and her many adoring grandchildren and extended family. Jessica is joined now with her late husband of 30 years, Michael Howard Waldman, who died suddenly in 1995 in a tragic accident.

Born March 28, 1944, the daughter of Sydney and Ruth (Goldberg) Friedman, Jessica was raised in Forest Hills, New York, where she graduated from Forest Hills High School and Queens College. She worked briefly as a schoolteacher before she started a family and dedicated her life to that endeavor. Jessica was a bright light who touched all who knew her with her compassion and kindness. She loved crossword puzzles, baseball, summers at Camp Birchmont, and all things Broadway.

She exuded a beautiful energy and enthusiasm in all of her passions. She was a generous philanthropist who worked as a leader and a volunteer for many charitable causes, from Women’s American ORT in the 1970s to the Westport Library, the Goodspeed Opera House, the Child and Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut, and many more. In every facet of her life, she is already greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held on Jan. 15 at the Westport Country Playhouse at 10:30 a.m. All who loved and cared for Jessica are welcome to join in remembering her extraordinary life. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Jessica’s memory to the Child and Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut, Goodspeed Musicals, or The Westport Library. To share a memory of Jessica or send a condolence to her family, please visit www.rwwfh.com. Arrangements by Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.