Jean Rene Gastfriend's Obituary
Jean Rene Gastfriend
4/10/1956 Philadelphia PA
9/24/2021 Montvale NJ
Jean Rene Gastfriend passed peacefully in her sleep on Friday, September 24, 2021 at home in Montvale NJ. Jean was the beloved daughter of Edward and Marilyn Gastfriend of Delray Beach FL. She is lovingly remembered by her brother David Gastfriend and his wife Jody Gastfriend of Wareham MA, and by her sister Felicia Berkowitz and her husband Alan Berkowitz of Harrisburg PA. A devoted and proud mother, her memory lives on in the hearts of her son Dr. Jason Bronstein and his wife Lauren Brailey of New York NY, and daughter Jennifer Sargent and her husband Felix Sargent of Oakland CA. Jean was the adoring grandmother of their daughter, Eloise Sargent.
Jean attended Solomon Schechter Day School of Philadelphia and received her Master’s degree from Temple University. She loved teaching and served on the faculties of the English Departments at Bergen County Community College and Eastwick College. She was a committed member of Shaarei Israel of Suffern, NJ, a joyful voice in the Zamir Chorale, and a devoted participant in Hadassah. She enjoyed poetry, travel, organizing friends to hike the trails of the New Jersey Palisades, and practicing and teaching yoga, completing the teacher training program of the Integral Yoga Academy. A perennial optimist, Jean never dwelled on her illness, looking forward without complaint, and instead greeting every day as an opportunity to enjoy friends, family and the outdoors.
Funeral services were conducted at Beth Israel Memorial Chapel, 11115 Jog Road, Boynton Beach, FL 33437. Interment is at Eternal Light Memorial Gardens, Boynton Beach FL, Monday, September 27, 2021. Donations in Jean’s name can be made to the American Cancer Society.
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