Miriam “Mimi” Wachtel (Gellman), 90 years of age, of Surfside, FL and West Hartford, CT, formerly of Brooklyn, NY, passed away Saturday, April 25, 2015. She was the widow of Frederick R. Wachtel. Born in Brooklyn, NY, she was the daughter of the late Samuel and Olga (Warshaw) Gellman. She was in the first graduating class of Lafayette High School, where she was the recipient of the Spanish and French language medals. She graduated from Brooklyn College with a BA and BS in June, 1945. She proceeded to become an elementary school teacher who taught at P.S. 164 in Borough Park, Brooklyn, NY and P.S. 276 in Canarsie, Brooklyn, NY. A beloved teacher frequently recognized by letters of appreciation from students, parents and administrators as a creative, inspiring and innovative educator who willingly shared with her pupils her love of art and music.
She leaves her daughters, Rona Gelber and her husband Dr. Barry Gelber of Avon, CT, and Alison Kaplan of Santa Fe, NM; her brother, Sheldon Gellman of Jericho, NY and many nieces and nephews; in addition to her loving daughters, she leaves behind three grandchildren, Jonathan Gelber and his wife, Christina of West Hartford, CT, Lonnie Gelber, and his wife Karen of Avon, CT and Frederic Carter of Avon, CT. She also leaves behind her three beloved great-grandchildren Jordan, Emma and Ashley Gelber. She was predeceased by her brothers Norman and Richard Gellman.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 PM on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at Beth Israel Cemetery, Jackson Street Extension, Avon with Rabbi Michael Pincus officiating. Shiva will be observed Tuesday immediately after internment until 8:00 PM at the home of Lonnie and Karen Gelber in Avon and Wednesday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the home of Jonathan and Christina Gelber in West Hartford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Congregation Beth Israel – Legacy For Our Future. Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Miriam, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm.
She was the love of our lives.
Our heartfelt condolences to all.
And to our best friends Rona and Barry, we love you
We will miss Mimi always
Ilene and Irwin Katz
From: Brenda Hilsberg
From Boca Raton, FL
Posted On: April 26, 2015
I will remember Mimi for her warm, loving ways and her unique flair and individuality. She was a woman ahead of her time who lived life on her own terms. I can still picture her as she arrived at synagogue one particular Rosh Hashanah in her frilly white eyelet dress with matching hat (as always) and cane. Little Bo Peep had nothing on Mimi! Rest in peace, glorious Mimi!
From: Jane and Lance Gellman
From Englewood Cliffs, nj
Posted On: April 27, 2015
Miriam was a woman who brought a unique style to everything she did, a feminist before the world had heard of such a thing, a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was all she could be and a role model for all those who follow in her footsteps...May she be blessed with peace.
