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In Loving Memory of Eve Filipowich
Our lives burn so brightly, so intensely, that our light lingers even after we are gone. Eve Filipowich’s light will forever be bright—she was a force of nature, unapologetically herself, and larger than life in every way.
Eve’s vibrant spirit was born into this world in Cambridge, MA September 15, 1956. Her whole life she was nurtured by the support and love of her friends and family. Her late parents were her foundation, Philip Salowsky and Marion (Saar) Salowsky, whose strength and love shaped each of her parent’s 5 children.
Her siblings, Phyllis, Tom, Ruth, and Peter, a unique and accomplished group, were always there for her. This family, true to each other and proud of their achievements, is a testament to the strength of their bonds. Among them, her sister Ruth Peal held a special place in her heart. Ruth’s dedication and love as a sister is beyond measure; she deserves the greatest honor for her commitment to her sister and the daily friendship that they shared.
September 15th would have been Eve’s 68th birthday. She passed away peacefully in her sleep the day before this milestone, following her beloved husband of over 30 years, Michael Filipowich, who left this world exactly ten years earlier, also at the age of 67. It’s as if their love had a rhythm that transcended time. They met in Mexico—a love story that began with instant passion and never slowed down. Together, they built a life full of laughter, joy, and family.
To Eve, James, was everything. She loved him deeply, unconditionally, and proudly. She always longed to have him close, but her love knew no distance. For a brief, beautiful time, they lived together again in New England when he returned at 30. And over the last two years she witnessed her granddaughter, Robyn, learn to crawl and walk in her own home—precious moments that she held dear.
Eve was more than just a mother, a grandmother, a daughter, a sister, a cousin, an Auntie, and a friend; she was a soul sister. She was a woman who never shied away from letting people know how much she loved them. Her love was bold and utterly sincere. If she loved you, everyone knew it. And it was a love that wrapped you up, held you close, and made you feel like you were part of her family, no matter where you came from.
She never retired, always pushing it off, as if to say that life itself was too exciting to take a pause. She thrived in her routine and found joy in her work. For nearly 30 years, she worked at Jay Colangelo Insurance, not just as an employee but as a pillar of her community.
Her home was her sanctuary. She was a true homemaker and was always working inside and out to keep her home and things nice and orderly. Her door was always open, with bonfires lighting up the night and friends turning into family. She was the energy that kept everyone talking, dancing, and laughing—letting conversation flow as freely as the wine.
She was deeply connected to Massachusetts, having grown up in Billerica on the Concord River, where she spent her childhood ice skating in the winter and boating in the summer. Eve was incredibly proud of her roots and her family’s legacy.
The Eve Filipowich family, alongside the Salowsky, Rideout, and Peal families, shared countless sunny days on New England lakes, beaches and rivers. Just 10 years ago, she was mountain biking down a mountain with her son and his friends. She regularly rode her bicycle on a 20 mile loop on the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, and occasionally swam the perimeter of Walden Pond. She was a patriotic woman, deeply proud of her New England home and Estonian heritage. From her house on Acton Road, in Chelmsford, she could watch both the sunrise and sunset, and she remembered the days when horses would come right up to her window. She especially treasured becoming close friends with the neighbors who moved in next door.
Eve was a sun worshipper. Saint Petersburg and Tampa Florida’s beaches held a special place in her heart, where she made cherished memories with her friends and family. Her son James, his spouse Kristin, and their daughter Robyn Eve led her to become a regular visitor to the California coast, valleys, and mountains.
She was "Vanaema"—the Estonian word for grandmother—to her granddaughter, Robyn Eve, a title that was destined for her. Her love for her granddaughter was pure and deep, and full of hope for her future. It is heartbreaking that their time together was cut short. We see Eve live through Robyn, in her blue eyes and her spirit.
Eve’s life was not without heartbreak. She felt the deep ache of missing her loved ones gone before her. Grief is love, after all—love that cannot be undone, love that has no place to go. And as we miss her, not just for this moment but for all the moments to come, we know that our grief is a testament to the immense love we have for her.
We already miss her voice, her hugs, her stories, and the way she made everything brighter. We missed her when we weren't with her, we heartbrokenly miss her now. We will miss her tomorrow, and every tomorrow after that. We will miss all the plans that will never come, the phone calls we will never hear, the joy we will no longer share in person. But we will never stop loving her. And we should find peace, peace in knowing that she lived each day to its fullest. She leaves us in peace knowing she did everything she could to love life and us.
She was a woman who lived fully, who loved deeply. She wasn’t just someone you met; she was someone who stayed with you. And now, even in her absence, she remains with us—her radiant spirit remains with us—in our hearts, in our memories, and in the way we love each other. Though she is no longer here with us, her light continues to guide and inspire us, a testament to the enduring impact she made on our lives.
Her legacy is one of love—love that knows no bounds, love that transcends time and space, love that will never die. As Eve would say, “May God Bless You and Keep You Safe.”
A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date. You are kindly invited to share a note or memory on Eve's memory wall.
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Jerry and Margaret Yacyshen Family
1956 - 2024 (67 years)