Paulette Tanenbaum

Paulette Tanenbaum, age 79, formerly of Bel Air, MD, died on March 8, 2009 at her home in Street, MD. Born in Paris, she was the daughter of the late Rev. Jacob David Townsend and Berthe Simonnet Townsend. She had fled Nazi-occupied France in 1941, sailing on one of the last American ships to leave Lisbon. Ms. Tanenbaum graduated with honors from Mt. Pleasant High School in Providence, RI. She was a librarian in both Bel Air and Fallston where she retired after some 30 years. As a survivor of breast cancer, she pioneered support groups in Harford and Baltimore counties, working closely with Johns Hopkins and Franklin Square Hospitals. A merchant at the Bel Air Farmers' Market for five years, she operated Two Sisters, selling wearable art and hand-crafted home goods. Ms. Tanenbaum was an avid gardener and a patron of the arts and she especially enjoyed entertaining her extended family.

Ms. Tanenbaum is survived by her daughter, Sarah A. Fedele and husband, Paul of Street, MD; her son, Paul J. Tanenbaum and wife, Elizabeth, of Bel Air, MD; sisters, Mary T. Shultz of Denver, CO and Catherine T. Bass of Riverside, MD; five grandchildren, Jacob T., Anne Griffith, and William T. Tanenbaum, all of Bel Air, MD, and Samuel J. and Leah R. Fedele, both of Street, MD; and former husband David L. Tanenbaum of Bel Air. In addition to her parents, a sister Jeanne Girone also predeceased her.

Those who desire may contribute to Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Road, Monkton, MD 21111.