Ellen Fleischnick Friedman

Dr. Ellen Fleischnick Friedman passed away peacefully on the evening of September 28, 2025. She was 76 years old.

Ellen was born in New York City, the daughter of Seymour and Ina Fleischnick, and the younger sister of Joan Fleischnick. She grew up in West Orange, New Jersey, where she excelled academically and was valedictorian of her high school class.

An accomplished student, Ellen graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1970 and from Harvard Medical School in 1975. She trained in pediatrics and genetics at Boston Children's Hospital. Ellen later completed a residency in adult psychiatry and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at Tufts Medical Center. In her decades as a child psychiatrist in Boston, MA and Buffalo and Rochester, NY, Ellen cared for patients and families with intelligence, compassion, and dedication.

Ellen's life was defined by a sense of idealism, a generosity of spirit, and her unwavering belief in people's capacity to grow and heal. She was the person family and friends turned to for thoughtful conversation and advice. She was devoted to her loved ones, and nothing brought her more joy than spending time with family, especially her grandchildren.

Ellen is survived by her two sons, Victor Friedman and Josh Friedman; her daughter-in-law, Nora Friedman; and her beloved grandchildren, Gabriel, Eitan, Asher, and Liat Friedman. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched as a family member, friend, and physician.

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.