Jan (Janice) Brackett Eisenman

Jan Eisenman died peacefully on February 20, 2025, just a couple months after celebrating her 100th birthday. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim (James A.) Eisenman, who died in 2001.

Jan was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Louise Clark and John Gaylord Brackett, and grew up in Arlington, Massachusetts. She attended Buckingham School in Cambridge, followed by Smith College, class of 1946, where she majored in Government. Jan met a group of women at Smith who became lifelong friends, moving with some of them to MacDougal Street in Greenwich Village, New York City after graduating. She worked for the aptly named interior decorator, Elizabeth C. Draper, which led to Jan’s interest and career in fiber arts. She met her husband Jim, and after their marriage and the birth of their first two daughters in Manhattan, they purchased a plot of land from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, in Laurel Hollow, New York. They built their house, had their third daughter, and developed many wonderful friendships in the Cold Spring Harbor Lab community. After Jim died in 2001, Jan stayed on in the house in Laurel Hollow until she moved to Bayview Manor in Seattle in 2011, where she was always up for a good time and was beloved by staff and residents alike.

Jan was an artist, explorer, and forager. Her art making took many forms, but foremost were her wall hangings created out of fabric. These varied from representational to abstract as her work evolved over the years, and her pieces were exhibited in many local shows. She loved hot air balloons and, in addition to taking rides in them, created a series of 7’ inflatable replicas that were displayed for various celebrations and events, including a benefit gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, suspended around the Temple of Dendur.

Jan and Jim were both passionate about skiing and spent winter weekends and family vacations in New Hampshire and Vermont. These trips often included treasured gatherings with the Cairns and Skoggard families. Jan and Jim also skied in Idaho, Colorado and Utah, and often met up with John and Elfie Cairns to ski in the Alps.

Jan, endlessly curious about the world, was an intrepid traveler. She and Jim went on a trek in Nepal, a safari in Africa, trips to Turkey, Morocco, Australia, Chile, Russia, the UK, as well as many European countries. They often traveled with friends, including memorable trips with Ray and Harriett Gesteland.

Jan’s foraging encompassed wild mushrooms, mussels from the harbor, black walnuts, day lily buds, blackberries, all sorts of wild greens, and many other wild foods. Perhaps her longevity is testament to her diverse diet.

In addition to her work as an artist, Jan spent some years working in the local high school’s main office; helped to found and run Gilliwrinkles, a cooperative craft shop in Cold Spring Harbor; and worked for years in the Development and Human Resources Offices at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

She is survived by her three daughters: Jan P. Eisenman of Seattle, WA (Yuichi Shoda); June R. Eisenman of Seattle, WA (Lou Cuevas); and Nancy B.Eisenman of Tuckahoe, NY (Gary Trosclair); five grandchildren: Aki Eisenman-Shoda, Emily Cuevas, Maria Cuevas, Zoe Trosclair, and Thea Trosclair; two nephews: Hugh Scheffy (Marleen) and Brackett Scheffy (Connie), and four great nieces and nephews: Clark Scheffy, Marieke Armstrong, Ariel Scheffy, and Spencer Scheffy; as well as four great, great nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Jan’s life will be held at Bayview Manor, Seattle, WA, April 16th at 1:30. Jan will be buried with her husband Jim at the Memorial Cemetery of St. John’s Church, Laurel Hollow, NY. Donations in Jan’s memory may be made to the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory or Bayview Manor Retirement Community.