Ann Adalist-Estrin Obituary

It is so difficult to find the right words. No one has had the influence on children impacted by incarceration as did she. I always was touched that I knew her, had talked with her, and had her visit our Frederick program. She was one of a kind- smart, empathetic, organized, caring, driven and persuasive. How lucky for all of us!

I met Ann through her work with children and was blown away by her whipsmart intelligence, deep wisdom, courage (she did not suffer fools), and passion for making the world a better, more compassionate place for families with an incarcerated parent. During the few dinners I shared with her after long work days, she also spoke warmly and with great love of her daughters and grandchildren. I was shocked to learn of her passing and send much love and comfort to her family. May her memory be a blessing.

ANN AND I WORKED TOGETHER AT THE HARTFORD INSURANCE CO. IN THE EARLY 1970'S. WE BECAME FAST FRIENDS AND SHARED EACH OTHER'S FAMILIES INTO THE LATE 1980'S. ANN WAS A WONDERFUL WOMAN AND I WAS PROUD TO CALL HER MY DEAR FRIEND. I WILL MISS HER A GREAT DEAL.

Ann made national impact by opening the eyes of our country to the otherwise hidden population of children who are impacted by parental incarceration. She was instrumental in the creation of Seedling Foundation's (Austin, Texas) school-based mentoring program for students who have an incarcerated parent. I had the pleasure of meeting Ann in her final years of work and feel very honored to have hosted a panel with Ann a few years ago where she joined persons with lived experience to discuss the impact on children when they have a parent in prison. Ann will be missed tremendously. Her legacy will live forever in programs across the country that help children and families who now can get the help they need.

We current and former leaders at Seedling in Austin, TX only today learned of Ann´s passing. Our large, school-based mentor program was founded in the mid-90´s, and having guidance from an icon like Ann from the outset was invaluable. We brought her to Austin multiple times to train our staff and other groups working with children whose parents were incarcerated; as a result, she led the Austin Independent School District to become the first school district in the country to train all their mentors in working with this important population. More than her professional wisdom and leadership, though, were the rich personal relationships some of us developed with her, sharing all manner of grown-up family challenges we all faced. I called her friend, and I am crushed that she is gone.

I spoke to Ann in Poland for the first time, during a dinner with the COPE family. She was so inspiring. Her idea of making a caregiversguide for family inspired COPE and me in the Netherlands to make a guide to help family with useful information when a loved one goes to prison. We will miss her so much. Her knowledge and compassion will be inspirational for us all in this workingfield.

Winie Hanekamp, the Netherlands, Centre of Expertise K I N D and Exodus

ANN BECAME A DEAR, CLOSE FRIEND OF MINE WHEN WE BOTH WORKED FOR THE HARTFORD INSURANCE COMPANY BACK IN THE 1970'S. MY FAMILY AND HERS WERE CLOSE BACK IN THOSE DAYS AND INTO THE 1980'S. ANN WAS A WONDERFUL WOMAN AND I WILL MISS HER FRIENDSHIP EXCEEDINGLY. REST IN PEACE MY DEAR FRIEND. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

When I first met Ann at the First National Conference on the Family and Corrections It was clear she was the smartest person in the room. I sent her a note: "We need your professionalism."

Going forward Ann was a key player in Family and Corrections Network. She guided the creation of our journal, contributed key papers, designed and delivered training and wrote the Children of Prisoners Library. She was an intelligent and compassionate voice for children of prisoners and their families.

Jim Mustin, Executive Director, Family and Corrections Network (retired), Charlottesville, VA

I considered myself a mentee and a friend of Ann, as many will indicate as well. She gave so much of herself to others, always thinking of how to make the world a better place for children. I will surely miss Ann during our Zoom meet ups as well as in person at conferences. She shared many words of wisdom with me that remain in my advocacy toolkit. Ann, I will miss you as a friend, colleague, and advocate. Rest peacefully, my friend. Avon

I have many memories. I loved talking one on one, attending her workshops, and simply being in her presence. The world has lost a champion! I will miss her.

My condolences to the family. I had the pleasure of having Ann Adalist-Estrin as a professor at Rutgers Camden. She was such a caring human being and spoke light into her students. Her passion for incarcerated parents and children did not go unnoticed.

Professor Adalist- Estrin loved her family. She talked about her children, grandchildren, in laws and significant other. I will keep the family in my thoughts and prayers.

I am so grateful to Ann for accompanying me on my journey from education to the world of support for children with a parent in the justice system. I first met Ann in Philadelphia when I was on a travelling fellowship, looking at how schools can better support children with a parent in prison. I remember our first meeting, eating pizza with her (in her favourite Italian restaurant!) and listening intently to her incredible wisdom. Her passion and vision have shaped me and I remember so many of her words of wisdom ("We should ask to give, not to get") and have always been encouraged by her ability to hold to a narrative of hope and redemption, rather than one that writes children off. I hope it is of some comfort to her family and friends to know that her legacy lives on and that she has inspired so many people globally to make a difference to children who are routinely overlooked. She will be hugely missed. Thank you, Ann.

Endless accolades to be made but a couple of qualities I greatly appreciated about Ann were her generosity of spirit and talent and that she did not have to act important to be important. I am glad she no longer suffers but now we have to figure out how to replace her leadership in this space. I relied on her for honest, direct, competent input and direction. Feeling quite sad.

Ann's endless spirit, energy, and efforts to lift youth voices and support children and families affected by incarcerated loved ones will have far-reaching and profound impacts for generations to come. She was a true hero, professional mentor, and beloved friend. Gone too soon, this world will be a better place because of Ann's wisdom, her courage, and her infectious smile.

Ann's amazing work has influenced us in Hawai`i and we are forever grateful for her wonderful work and beautiful heart. This world has lost an incredible fighter and we have all gained an angel to watch over our work! Mahalo piha (thank you completely), Ann. Kat Brady, Community Alliance on Prisons

Ann pioneered the early research and advocacy for people who experience a family member's incarceration. Starting her work in this field in the 1970s, her influence has spread globally to individuals, organisations, policy, and practice throughout the world. I first met Ann in person at a Children of Prisoners Europe conference, where latterly she joined their Wise Persons Group by invitation. I quote her regularly in "asking to give, not asking to get" but also have fond memories of watching the fireworks for the Dragon Festival together in Krakow, Poland.
Ann leaves a tremendous legacy of the learning and compassion she spread worldwide. She will be sorely missed, but we will all continue to carry the torch she lit and to spread this even further.