Ivy Edelman

Dr. Ivy Dreizin Edelman died on March 29, 2021 at Agrace Hospice. The cause of death was metastatic breast cancer.

Ivy was born in Newark New Jersey on January 25, 1948 to David and Estelle Dreizin.  She attended Wellesley College, graduating in 1970. She is survived by her younger siblings: Jane and Charles.

While a freshman at college, she met her future husband, Frederick Edelman They married on August 30, 1970. Ivy and Fred attended medical school in Philadelphia.  Their marriage

survived the trials of medical school through mutual support and love, keys to their subsequent happiness and success.

After medical school, they moved to Chicago for internship and residency.  After two years of internal medicine training, she switched to neurology and then took a fellowship in neuro-ophthalmology. Meanwhile, Fred was completing his training in pediatrics and pediatric neurology.

After residency training, Ivy and Fred moved to Madison, Wisconsin in 1980. They both joined the Madison Neurological Center. For approximately 30 years, they practiced together seeing thousands of patients with neurologic conditions. They joined the faculty of the University of Wisconsin. Ivy was the first female Clinical Professor in Neurology. Fred also achieved this rank with Ivy’s encouragement. Ivy helped the career of other neurologists through her work in the mentoring committee. On National Doctor’s Day 2021, Ivy was given a special Recognition of Exemplary Care and Service for her clinical work and leadership at UPH-Meriter hospital.

Ivy specialized in neuro-ophthalmology, an exacting field devoted to the interaction of neurology and vision. She saw many complex patients. She also promoted the field by teaching neurology and ophthalmology residents. She organized regional conferences devoted to the topic. She headed the continuing education committee of the North American Neuro-ophthalmology Society, NANOS, in 2015 she received their most important recognition the Thomas Carlow Distinguished Service Award.

Ivy was proud to be the mother of Joshua and Deborah. Joshua is a senior lecturer of Drama in Manchester, England. He is married to Lea Muhlstein, a rabbi at the Ark Synagogue in Pinner, England. Deborah is a psychiatrist practicing in Brooklyn, New York. She is married to Eddie Torres, a businessman and musician. They have a bright, adorable five-year-old, Alex.

Ivy enjoyed studying Italian. She was an active participant in the Temple Beth El Sisterhood book club, having read over one hundred books on multiple topics. She loved attending plays at Forward Theatre and American Players Theatre. She and Fred attended the Madison Symphony, supported the Chazen, the Madison Museum of Modern Art, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Milwaukee Art museum.

Ivy and Fred enjoyed walking. They hiked in Europe and national parks in North America with close friends. They enjoyed walking together, “like young lovers”, the words of a neighbor, in Owen park, Dane parks and Madison neighborhoods.

Ivy was active in progressive politics. She campaigned with the Teal team in Madison for Democratic party politicians. Ivy helped collect absentee ballots in the presidential election, helping swing Dane County and Wisconsin to Biden.

Ivy and Fred celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on August 30, 2020. Their marriage had been sustained by love, mutual respect, common interests and support for each partner.

Ivy was an exceptional woman, focused on improving the world and supporting her family, trying to ignore her painful, eventually fatal illness. She helped others, was a role model, inspired students, cared deeply for her patients, and was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She will be missed.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Rd., Madison with Rabbi Jonathan Biatch presiding. The family will greet friends after Noon until the time of service. The service will also be live-streamed and may be accessed through Ivy’s obituary on the Cress website. Burial will follow at Beit Olamim Cemetery, Madison. The service will be live-streamed. From your Google Browser click on the following link to complete the two-step registration process: https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=0d20ec25-7b73-4c16-b9ec-714101ccf662

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road  Madison

(608) 238-3434