Gladys Helene Nachamkin
As per her wishes, Gladys passed quietly at her home on February 28, 2020
Gladys was an intelligent, kindhearted, loving, and gracious woman. She had an incredible will, unimaginable strength and inconceivable determination. She loved people. She could and would talk with anyone. She had many, many wonderful friends throughout the years, whether from her school days, working, as a mom, or the many places she lived throughout her life.
Gladys grew up in Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY. She had two older brothers, Ira and William whom she loved immensely. They were very protective of her, watched over her, encouraged her and applauded her achievements. They grew up during tough times made harder when their father suffered an accident at work that left him disabled. To help make ends meet her family took in tenants in what was an already cramped apartment. Personally, from the age of 10 until she was 21 (when penicillin was invented) Gladys suffered with a horrendous bone infection that would have taken her leg if not for her mom’s stubbornness and resistance to Doctors advice. Through these years she endured multiple surgeries, which was a contributing factor in her developing extraordinary determination, perseverance and courage. Later in life these attributes were near-at-hand, as she successfully battled and defeated three different types of cancer.
She made a tough decision to leave college and begin working. Not happy with her job, one day during lunch she decided to apply for a position advertised that she thought was perfect. Due to her moxie – standing up for what she wanted, she got the job, and worked for Prince-Biederman until having her first child. She had moved to Manhattan and lived with her roommate, Esther Cohen (sister of poet/singer Leonard Cohen) until they both married.