Obituary: Cary Kaufman Gershon

Cary Kaufman Gershon passed away peacefully in her sleep, in hospice care, Oct. 18. Cary was born July 28, 1949, in Minneapolis, Minn., where she lived for most of her early life prior to her marriage. She did work in Watergate in Washington, D.C., for a year then returned Minneapolis. Cary attended local public schools, graduating in 1967 from St. Louis Park High School, then attended the University of Minnesota. While working in the Twin Cities, Cary enjoyed catering sales for the Dyckman Hotel in Minneapolis. Later, she received her insurance license and worked as an agent. Still later, she worked for the MTA in the claims department and was to move up to a claims adjuster position soon after her marriage on July 1, 1979. Cary and Jeff had other ideas and decided to relocate to Atlanta in 1980.

Cary and Jeff built an interesting and sometimes exciting life in the Atlanta area with almost no snow to have to shovel, ever! They worked together in several business ventures. When their son, Andrew, was 5, they joined Temple Emanu-El in Dunwoody, where Cary was immersed in all aspects of Temple life. Cary had a lovely voice and was a member of the choir for many years. As a family, they joined an Emanu-El havurah group, where we all had kids about the same age. Good memories of many fun times over the years.

Cary’s illnesses started in 2003. Originally given only a 20 percent chance of surviving, she beat the odds and was able to participate in many joyous family and friends’ simchas and other happy occasions celebrated by our non-Jewish friends. Though, over the years her condition deteriorated, she still participated even as her mental capacities became progressively compromised and, physically, she also deteriorated to mostly wheelchair confinement.

Though not the life she ordered, she lived her last 18.5 years with no complaints. Cary lived those years with dignity, grace and charm.

Cary was preceded in death by her parents, Esther and Marvin Kaufman of Minneapolis; and mother-in-law, Muriel Gershon of Atlanta.

Survived by husband, Jeff Gershon of Atlanta; son, Andrew Gershon of New York City; brother, Bruce (Jeannie) Kaufman of New Hope, Minn.; aunt, Judith Goldberg of St. Paul; aunt, Marian Gershon Radwin of Birmingham; and cousins and great cousins and dear friends, of which Jan (Bill) Kuretsky was the dearest and was there for Cary through all her hard times as well as the good times.

Arrangements by Hodroff-Epstein Memorial Chapel, Minneapolis. Graveside service was on Oct. 21 at Adath Chesed Shel Emes Cemetery, Chrystal, Minn.. Donations to The Alzheimer’s Association or local “feed the hungry” programs appreciated. No flowers, please.

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