Gail (Mackta) Weinstein

Gail Bonita (Mackta) Heimov Weinstein Kraus, 85 years of age, of Torrance, CA, formerly of Plantation, FL and West Hartford, CT died Friday November 29, 2019.

Gail was born October 2, 1934 at Royal Hospital in the Bronx and was the only child of the late Samuel and Betty (Meshekow) Mackta. She grew up in Bridgeport, Connecticut where she was active in her school, temple and community. She was a theater major and member of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority at Syracuse University, where she met her husband Herb. They married in 1956 and raised three children together in West Hartford. Gail was often seen on stage in various community theatre productions as her love of the theater never waned. Her commitment to volunteerism and community service was evidenced by her involvement with many philanthropic and civic organizations including Women’s American ORT, Temple Beth El sisterhood, and the Spin Bifida Association. After Herb’s death in 1975, Gail remained in Connecticut until she met and married Alan Weinstein in 1997. They resided in Plantation until Alan passed in 2009. Gail relocated to Torrance, California where her daughter, son-in-law and 2 of her grandchildren resided. Her later years in southern California were filled with joy as she yet again found love – after meeting and then marrying Michael “Mike” Kraus in 2013. Gail and Mike enjoyed time with family (especially their combined 13 grand and great grandchildren), road trips, their couples book club, theatre, opera, movies, playing scrabble and more than anything - just being together. Gail loved to hear stories and detailed accounts of her grandchildren’s adventures and accomplishments. Their happiness brought her immense pleasure.

Gail is survived by her children Leslie Starr Heimov and Brett Adam Heimov, her son-in-law Jeff Parisse, daughter in-law Lauren Beck; step-children Michelle (Weinstein) & Kyle Kantor, Nina (Kraus)& Kelly O’Loughlin, Lisa Kraus and Ricky Kraus; grandchildren Jake and Amanda Parisse, Alex and Brennan Heimov, Ross and Eli Kantor, Kristen (Kraus) Kimball, Adam Kraus, and Josh and Alex Mark; four great- grandchildren, and a sister-in-law Susan (Heimov)Fields. She leaves many other family members and friends who will sadly miss her.

Gail was preceded in death by her first husband Herbert Leon Heimov, her second husband Alan D. Weinstein, her son, Stephen William Heimov, and her brother in-law, Alvin Fields.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on Sunday, December 8, 2019, in the Chapel of the Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT with Rabbi Jim Rosen officiating. Interment will follow at Beth El Temple Cemetery, 51 Jackson Street Ext., Avon. Friends and family will gather at the Kallor residence, 65 Richmond Lane, in West Hartford from 1:30pm to 5:30pm. A memorial service will also be held in Torrance, California in the coming weeks. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Gail’s memory to Children’s Law Center of California at www.clccal.org/donate or the Connecticut Children’s Hospital at www.give.connecticutchildrens.org/tribute.For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Gail, please visit www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Gail’s memory to Children’s Law Center of California at www.clccal.org/donate or the Connecticut Children’s Hospital at www.give.connecticutchildrens.org/tribute.

Friends and family will gather at the Kallor residence, 65 Richmond Lane, in West Hartford from 1:30pm to 5:30pm. A memorial service will also be held in Torrance, California in the coming weeks.