Jill Wasserman, of Princeton, NJ, passed away on Friday, April 16, 2021 surrounded by her loving family. She was 88 years old.
Born in New York City to Louis and Betty Hinden, she was raised in Sunnyside, Queens and attended Long Island City High School and then graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a degree in fashion design.
She initially worked as a model and then had a stint as a private detective before she started a career as a fashion buyer for a number of leading department stores including Neiman Marcus in Dallas, TX where she set up the first gift boutique and Gimbels in Philadelphia, PA where she specialized in ladies’ hats.
Later she was a successful real estate agent working in Princeton, NJ and during that time decided to return to school in her early 60s, earning a Bachelor of Arts and Master’s in Counselling degrees from the College of New Jersey.
Jill loved meeting and talking to new people and old friends and she looked at the world and approached all people with curiosity and openness. She was passionate about helping people in need and worked as a counsellor at Catholic Charities in Trenton, NJ, Jewish Family & Children’s Services in Lakewood, NJ, and Princeton House in Princeton, NJ.
She loved everything about Princeton and lived in the area for nearly 50 years. She loved books and reading and was an active supporter of the Princeton Public Library and was very active in Community Without Walls (CWW) in Princeton into her 80’s.
Jill is survived by her brother Jon Hinden of Cherry Hill, NJ, her daughter, Wendy Wasserman Perello and her husband Joseph Perello, of Princeton, NJ, her son Marc Wasserman and his wife Aimee Hartstein of South Orange, NJ and three grandson’s Matthew Perello, Julian Perello and Ari Wasserman.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, funeral services are private. A memorial service will be announced later this spring. Memorial contributions may be made to Lil Bub’s Big Fund
(https://www.goodjobbub.org/) which advocates for special needs companion animals and builds a community that celebrates and fosters the human animal bond.
Our hearts are filled with sadness over the loss of Jill. She was a warm, wonderful intelligent woman who was beautiful to all both inside and out. She will be sorely missed by all of us. Our deepest condolences to her family.
Jaclyn and David Hartstein
MAY JILL’S MEMORY BE A BLESSING!!!
Beautiful tribute to Jill.
We will remember her with much love.
Our sincere condolences to the Wasserman and Perello families.
The DeFalco and McCarthy families
Jill will always be in our hearts. She was one of the best people I’ve ever known. And a hero of all of ours. Rest In Peace my friend.
Long and full life that touched so many. We feel blessed to have known her and will cherish the memories.
Krentz and Perello Families
I have very fond memories of working with Jill when she was a Realtor in Princeton. She was kind beyond words and a truly generous woman. Jill was always there to help me as a new agent even id it meant sharing her secrets! Jill you will be truly missed.