Selma Ziskind Tarnower died Saturday, March 8, at Berkshire Place. She was the daughter of Bess and Morris Ziskind, who owned the Berkshire Leather Co. She was born and brought up in Pittsfield and was a graduate of Pittsfield High School and of Smith College. Mrs. Tarnower was a devotee of classical ballet and modern dance. She took ballet classes at the former Pittsfield Community Music School, now the Berkshire Music School, and at Jacob's Pillow. She enjoyed attending operas at Tanglewood and the Metropolitan Opera and Tanglewood concerts, where she and her husband, Samuel, had the same seats on the aisle, in section 2, for many decades. She was a photographer who documented gatherings with family and friends, her daughter's exhibition openings, and gala events throughout the Berkshires. An inveterate clipper of newspaper and magazine articles throughout her life, she sent photos and relevant articles to friends and family around the world. She was a passionate swimmer and, for over 30 years, swam in Onota Lake every summer day that was warm enough, and some that were not. When the opening day of the fishing season was mid-April, she was known to start her swimming lesson on that day. She also enjoyed playing golf and had a hole-in-one on the fifth hole at Stockbridge Golf Course in 1969. She also enoyed playing tennis, and was an avid gardener. An expert skier, Mrs. Tarnower spent her last time on the slopes, at age 84, with her grandchildren in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Her favorite ski area was Stowe, Vt., where three generations of family skiers gathered annually to celebrate the New Year. She and her husband also enjoyed square dancing and, before they took up skiing, were figure skater, traveling to the RPI rink in Troy, N.Y., on a weekly basis. She served as president of the board of the former Pittsfield Visiting Nurses Association, now Berkshire Visiting Nurse Association, for many years, as well as the president of Temple Anshe Amunim Sisterhood. She was a member of the board of directors of the former Pittsfield Community Music School, now the Berkshire Music School. Throughout her life, Mrs. Tarnower was an ardent Democrat and an outspoken advocate of women's rights. Her grandchildren, Jonathan and Peter Selkowitz, gave her great joy. When not visiting with them in person, she could be found talking to them on the telephone any time of the day or night as they called from chairlifts, foreign countries, or their home in Jackson. Wyo. The Spadina gang and James Archey watched out for her and cared for her after her husband died. Once her failing health required living away from home, Mrs. Tarnower's caregivers became her new family. Their incomparable loving care gave her and her family great comfort. Visits by Eileen Ziskind, her sister-in-law, were a highlight of each week. Her husband, Samuel M. Tarnower, a psychiatrist and neurologist for over 50 years, whom she married May 20, 1937, died in 1991. She leaves two daughters, Elizabeth T. Selkowitz of Pittsfield and Jain Tarnower of Jamaica Plain; her son-in-law, Mark Selkowitz; two grandchildren, Jonathan and Peter Selkowitz of Jackson, Wyo.; her sister-in-law, Eileen Ziskind of Pittsfield, and her nieces, Abby Ney of the state of Washington and Nancy Simmons of Pittsfield. She was predeceased by her brother, Elihu Zizkind.

FUNERAL NOTICE: In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name may be made to Berkshire Medical Center or to the Berkshire Visiting Nurse Association, incare of the DERY FUNERAL HOME, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. The family will greet friends today, Tuesday, March 11, at 366 Churchill St., from 4 to 7 p.m.

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