Laurily Epstein

Laurily Epstein, 79, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday December 27 ^th , 2020 in Great Barrington, MA.   Beloved wife of the late Jerry Epstein.  Mother of Greg and Debbie.  Mother in-law to Naomi Baigell and loving grandmother to Tali, Soyer and Kiko.

Laurily grew up in Des Moines, IA before going to college in Minnesota where she met her husband Jerry.  During their 40-year marriage, they travelled extensively all over the world and threw fabulous dinner parties.  They lived in St. Louis, MO where Laury earned two degrees followed by a Ph.D in Political Science from Washington University. She went on to teach Political Science at Washington University and then moved to Highland Park, New Jersey where she taught Political Science at Rutgers University.   They then moved to New York City, where she joined NBC News to lead election polling and analytics for 16 years.

Laury was a prolific writer, authoring three books, Women & The News, Women in the Professions, A Guide to the Sculpture Parks and Gardens of America. She was also a contributing writer to many local food, travel, theatre and garden organizations and not for profits.

In 2001, Laury moved to the Berkshires.  She served on countless boards and was a generous donor to local social and environmental causes.  In 2013, she was awarded the Great Barrington Rotary Club Citizen of the Year award in honor of her community leadership.  As an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, voracious reader, fervent cookbook collector, passionate gardener, enthusiastic chef and world traveler, there was no topic on which Laury could not speak intelligently.  She was well known for speaking her mind and telling people what she thought whether you wanted to hear it or not.  She was the kind of woman you only meet once in your lifetime. She will be deeply missed.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date when it is safe to gather together.

Donations in her memory can be made to www.berkshiregrown.org or Berkshire Grown, PO Box 983, Great Barrington, MA 01230.  To send remembrances to her family please go to www.finnertyandstevens.com