Gail Nahmias of Pennington, New Jersey, passed away on October 14, 2023 at the age of 82. Gail grew up in New York City and later moved to New Jersey to raise her family. She learned about resilience at an early age, having survived polio at five years old. There was no such thing as the American Disabilities Act or an awareness of barriers for those with disabilities, so she had to learn to manage every barrier on her own. Gail found her political voice in the 1960s when she marched against the Vietnam War. In the 1970s, she became active in the women’s rights movement and continued to be involved in issues important to her when she marched in Trenton, NJ to protect a women’s right to choose.
Although Gail left college at an early age to start a family, her love of learning continued throughout her life. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree while raising her three daughters and continued to attend classes at Mercer County Community College, where she worked and eventually retired. Gail loved the Brooklyn Dodgers, and although she never quite recovered from the loss when the Dodgers left Brooklyn, Gail shifted her allegiance to the New York Mets and remained a lifelong Mets fan. She was an avid reader who loved murder mysteries and keenly followed the news. Most importantly, she was a mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend who loved her family. That is where she found her greatest joy.
She is predeceased by her parents, Solomon and Deborah Nahmias, her niece Deborah Dauer, and her cousin Allen Cohen. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Alice and Steve Schoen, daughter and son-in-law Marian Gelber and Rob Dellasala, and daughter Deb Gelber; grandchildren Jessica Schoen, Jason Schoen, Jordan Schoen, Michael Streger, Tyler May, and Jake May; brother and sister-in-law Norm and Judy Nahmias; nieces and nephews Mike Nahmias, Adam Dauer, Sarah Dauer, Gillian Dauer, and Ean Dauer; and cousins Bonnie Cohen, and Ben Weinstein.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Gail’s memory to Project Adam New York.
A private funeral will be held Tuesday morning, October 17, 2023. Shiva will be held at her daughter Marian’s residence in The Village Clubhouse, 1 Shirley Lane, Lawrenceville, NJ on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 from 6:00 pm to the conclusion of minyan, which will start at 7:45 pm.
Your mom was a special person. Sha loved to laugh and we spent many hours doing so. Sadly I went back to work full time and we lost contact although I kept up with events through the girls. She will be missed. Because of health reasons I can not attend tomorrow, but my heart and prayers are with the family. You are all beautiful people and your mom was so proud of you all.
Quite a life; beautiful obituary. Rest in peace, Gail. Love to Marian and herfamily.
Larry and Harriett Leder.
Dear Deb,
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. I never met you, however, while your mom worked at MCCC with me, I always knew when you called. I loved working with her and was so much fun. We had a lot in common, especially with Axl Rose. Once I made her a bib to wear when we all went out to dinner because she was always dropping stuff on her chest. We had so many laughs. I missed her when she left. Please express my condolences to your sisters.