Freda Silverman, Co-Owned Landmark Shoe Store

From New England to Florida, many have walked miles in Freda Silverman's shoes.

Mrs. Silverman, for 38 years, the co-owner of the landmark Boston Shoes (with her husband Alton) until it closed in 1994, died Sunday at JFK Medical Center. She was 92.

Many mourned the 1994 closing of the Smith Street Store, which some say marked the end of an era of old-time independent merchants that studded down-town Perth Amboy. Mrs. Silverman always reassured customers they would be afforded all the time and attention they deserved. She had a sign made to say "If we seem to take unusual time rest assured that you too will receive the same personalized service as promptly as possible"

Mrs. Silverman was a graduate of New York University and had a career in advertising copywriting, before she married Alton Silverman in 1952. She grew up during the Great Depression and she worked long hours in her father's Chicken Market to help pay for college.

In her later years, Mrs. Silverman devoted herself to her grandchildren, teaching them to value family, friendship and food from the comfort of her kitchen.

She is survived by her 2 sons, Dr. William Silverman, MD of Iowa City Iowa and Martin Silverman of Metuchen, and granddaughters Joanna Silverman, Hayley Silverman and Pombie Silverman.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, March 29, 2016, at Samptown Cemetery, 1500 New Market Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, where she will be buried next to her husband, Alton.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in Freda Silverman's name to the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington DC.