Jeanne Farr Saalman

Jeanne Farr Saalman, 87, of Middletown, died Friday, September 25, 2015 at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. Jeanne was born February 18, 1928 in Worcester, MA. She is the daughter of the late Charles and Mary (Tubman) Farr. She was married to the late Howard Saalman, for 41 years.Jeanne grew up in Charlton, MA and graduated from Charlton High School in 1946, as class Valedictorian. She continued at Clark University, earning her Bachelor's Degree in 1950 and began to specialize in Art History and enrolled in the Worcester Art Museum School. She then completed her education with a Master's Degree in 1956 from the Institute of Fine Art, at New York University. For several years she worked in New York City as a furniture designer.It was at NYU where she met Howard Saalman and they married later in Germany. They settled in Pittsburgh and lived there from 1958 until Howard's death in 1995. She was deeply involved in supporting her husband's work as a researcher, author and professor of Italian Architectural History. They traveled to Florence every summer and took sabbaticals there every three years; Florence truly was their second home. Their life together in Pittsburgh was also filled with time devoted to the arts; she was a member of many music, theater, and fine art organizations. Jeanne was also a member of The Church of the Redeemer in Pittsburgh and participated in her husband's synagogue, Young People's Synagogue throughout their marriage.Jeanne also enjoyed a passion for gardening and horticulture; it seemed she knew the Latin name for every plant, shrub and tree. She also was known for finding natural and home remedies for many ailments, and educating her loved ones about treating them. She is survived by her daughter Daphne Kalaidjian of Newport and her grandson Ellis Kalaidjian. She also leaves her sister in law Muriel Farr of Charlton, MA, brother in law Winthrop Ray of Barboursville, VA and sister in law Rita Saalman of Brookline, MA and several nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her brother Charles Wayne Farr, sister Margaret "Buddy" Ray, and brother in law Peter Saalman.Services will be private.Memorial donations may be made to The Arthritis Foundation, 2348 Post Rd. Suite 104,Warwick, RI 02886 or donate.arthritis.org