Obituary of Gertrude Solomon

Gertrude Paul Solomon, age 100, passed away at St. Peter's Hospice Care Center on Monday, March 4, 2013 from complications from a fall. She is survived by her sons, Harold (Spike) Solomon and his wife Valerie, of Albany, NY and Barry Solomon and his wife, Patricia, of Little Rock, AR. She always referred to her daughters-in-law as her own daughters. Nana Gert is also survived by five grandchildren; Jill Solomon, Julie Solomon (Cole Libby), Andrew Solomon (Marianne Solomon), Kimberly Solomon-Gavach (James Gavach) and Dara Solomon. She is also survived by five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband of 75 years, Morris (Moe) Solomon. Born in Albany, NY on August 15, 1912, she was the youngest of 4 children of Harris Paul and Minnie Schiffman Paul. She was a graduate of Albany High School and The Rochester Dental Dispensary. She worked as a Dental Hygienist prior to the birth of her sons. She also worked for the New York State Tax and Finance Department for almost 30 years. She was a long-time member of Temple Israel in Albany and the Shaker Ridge Country Club, where she played golf well into her 90's. She was a life-member of Abigail Lodge # 3 United Order of True Sisters in Albany. She was a proud product of Albany's Melting Pot, the South End, where her father owned a jewelry store on South Pearl Street, while the family lived on Trinity Place. In the late 1920's Harris Paul moved his family out west to the "frontier" on Homestead Avenue. She was a strong-willed woman with a matter-of-fact attitude and would not indulge or put up with "narishkeit" or foolishness. She was fiercely proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and referred to them as her living testament. In August of this past year, she celebrated her 100th birthday at a party that was attended by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. The love and admiration that was expressed to her by her family and friends will always be remembered and cherished. Her nieces and nephews will greatly miss her as Aunt Gert was the family historian as well as their last link to the lives of their parents and grandparents. The family would like to thank St. Peter's Hospice for their care, compassion and comfort. The funeral will take place at Temple Israel Cemetery on Western Avenue, Albany, NY at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 7, 2013 under the direction of Levine Memorial Chapel with Rabbi David Eligberg of Temple Israel officiating. Following the funeral, the family will receive visitors at the home of Julie Solomon, 151 Brandon Terrace, Guilderland, NY between 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to the Daughters of Sarah Foundation, 180 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, NY 12203 or to the Community Hospice or to the charity of one's choice.