Savage, Selma H.

SELMA H. SAVAGE, 96, of Providence, Rhode Island, died peacefully at home on October 19, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. Selma was intellectually curious, a voracious reader, a talented painter, and lover of art, history, classical music, opera, flowers, and carousel horses. The Savage family matriarch, she loved all things family.

She was the beloved wife of the late Julian B. Savage for over 60 years. Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of the late Myron and Fannie (Shapiro) Herman.

She was the devoted and loving mother of Robert S. Savage, and his wife Dianne, of Cranston, RI and Jonathan N. Savage, and his wife Judith, of Providence, RI and dear sister of the late Eleanor Sacks of Akron, Ohio.

She was the proud grandmother of and friend to Justin B. Savage, and his wife Elizabeth, of Providence, RI, Jeremy B. Savage, and his wife Katherine, of Rumford, RI, and Julia M. Savage of Anchorage, Alaska. She was the cherished great grandmother of Julian N. Savage, Charles D. Savage, and James F. Savage.

Selma was owner of the former Myron Herman Co. / Herman’s Furniture Galleries where she instilled her artistic vision, retiring in 1997. She was a member of Temple Beth-El and the Providence Art Club, friend of Brandeis University, and active with the League of Women Voters and Planned Parenthood. A graduate of Hope High School, Selma received her bachelor’s degree from Pembroke College (Brown University) in 1948 and did graduate work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

A graveside service at Swan Point Cemetery was private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Temple Beth-El (Providence), Planned Parenthood, or WGBH, all of which were important to Selma throughout her life.