Obituary: Doris Gould

Longtime Great Neck resident Doris Gould died unexpectedly on Jan. 5, 2011 at the age of 93. Born in Manhattan on March 14, 1917, the daughter of Ella and Edward Blankstein, she attended George Washington High School and studied fashion design at Pratt Institute and the Fashion Institute of Technology. During WWII, she worked as a night shift steamfitter in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, one of the few women volunteers at that time, helping to build the USS Missouri and the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, among others. She pursued various opportunities in the fashion industry, including working for the French designer Pierre Balmain at his New York salon before opening up her own firm specializing in embroidery and upscale children’s clothing.

Obituaries: Kenneth Pretto

Kenneth Pretto

Kenneth Pretto, of Kings Point Great Neck, died on May 21, 2011. Devoted father and husband. He is survived by Larry Pretto (his son) and Sharon Kalin Pretto (his wife). Adored and dedicated member of the Great Neck Alert Fire Department for 34 + years and Town of Great Neck building inspector. Visiting was held at Alert Engine, Hook, Ladder and Hose Co.

Obituary: Donna Kass

Tireless healthcare advocate, determined community activist and long-time Great Neck resident Donna Kass died this past Monday at the age of 86. Donna was well-known to the North Shore community as a healthcare provider and champion for universal healthcare coverage. In a professional career that spanned 36 years, she worked in various hospitals and long-term care facilities, including as Chief of Physical Therapy and Director of Geriatric Care at Long Island Jewish Hospital. From 2007 to 2010, she also served as a member of the Nassau County Board of Health. A major voice for equal and unfettered healthcare access, Donna helped found and served as president of the Long Island Coalition for a National Health Plan and as a special advisor to the Governor of New York State on healthcare matters. In 2001, the Nassau County legislature held a special ceremony honoring her as a Woman Trailblazer of the New Millennium. Born in Warsaw, Poland, in 1925, Donna emigrated to the U.S. in 1941 at the age of 15. She attended Columbia University and became one of the first women physical therapists in the U.S. In 1955 she moved to Great Neck to raise her young family. She leaves behind Bernard, her loving husband of 61 years; two sons and daughters-in-law, Elliot and Kathryn, and Steven and Judy; three granddaughters, Jessica, Rachel and Sarah, and innumerable friends and colleagues, all of whom will miss her terribly. A celebration in Donna’s honor will take place in Great Neck, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 22. Please call 516-802-5834 for more information.

 

Obituary: David A. Salkind

David A. Salkind of Great Neck and East Hampton, passed away on March 29, 2011 at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. He is survived by his loving and adored wife Bonnie Lyons Salkind; his children, Fred (Michelle), Cindy Tell (Larry); and his three grandchildren, Henry, David and Sam. He was predeceased by his daughter Beverly Baxter and his parents Hyman and Sophie.

Dave was born in Middle Village Queens Oct. 31, 1937. He was a member of South Fork Country Club in Amagansett and loved his golf, family, friends and loved being in his beloved Hamptons, where he and his wife have had homes since 1983. He was buried at Gates of the Grove Cemetery in Accabonac.

 

Obituary: Anne Singer

Anne Singer

Anne Singer, a resident of Great Neck for over 50 years, died on March 3, 2011. She is survived by her son Kenneth; six grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was a avid reader of the Great Neck Record.

Obituaries: Sonia Cohen

Sonia Cohen

Sonia Cohen, 92, longtime Great Neck resident and piano teacher, died on 

March 11, 2011. She was the much-loved wife of Joseph A. for 71 years, mother of Andrew, Beth and David, mother-in-law of Linda Cohen, and grandmother of Lauren Van Zuiden, Stephanie Cohen, Chad Cohen, Kevin Cohen and Chaya Cohen.

Obituaries: Corinne Mond

Corinne Mond 

Corinne Mond, a former long time resident and celebrated teacher for over 25 years in the Great Neck Public School system, started as a teacher of English at Great Neck North in 1977. A mentor to many of her students, her passion and humor gave them confidence and support. It was her compassion and ability to discover and nurture the individuality of each student that made her an unforgettable teacher. To Corinne Literature was simply a vehicle by which to explore the recurring themes of what it means to be human; every situation - regardless of how unconventional - granted a learning opportunity. Corinne’s appreciation of the craft of writing - she was a formidable writer herself - helped each student find and develop his or her own voice.

Obituary: Claire Louise Siegel

Claire Louise Siegel

Claire Louise Siegel passed away at the age of 62 on March 7, 2011 after a life-long struggle with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. Claire was the treasured younger daughter of Ida and Jules Siegel and beloved sister of Dr. Karen Siegel. A loving, ecumenical memorial service was held on March 13 at the Riverside Nassau North Chapel, Great Neck. Interment Old Montefiore Cemetery, St Albans/Laurelton, Queens. Bialystocker Young Men’s Association Area 81. In lieu of flowers, please send tax-exempt donations to Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance (800-225-6872).Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Obituary: Jennie E. Friedlander

Jennie E. Friedlander

Jennie E. Friedlander of Great Neck and formerly of Far Rockaway, Queens, and Boro Park, Brooklyn, passed away peacefully at the age of 105, on Feb. 21, 2011. She was born in Manhattan and lived on Eldridge St. and then Avenue A before moving to Brooklyn at age 18. She was the widow of the late Rabbi J.W. Friedlander, who had been principal of Yeshivas Ohel Torah and executive vice president of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath. When her husband served as president of the Young Israel of Wavecrest and Bayswater in the 1960s, she partnered with him to serve as president of the synagogue’s sisterhood. She moved to Great Neck after her husband died in 1985. A family matriarch, she was clear-minded to the end and was the keeper and recounter of family lore extending back to her ancestral roots in czarist Russia.

Obituary: Mary Matthews

Memorial Mass for Mary Matthews

(July 1928-December 2010). Lifelong resident of Great Neck, dedicated teacher at Lakeville School, and dear friend. Saturday, March 12 at11 a.m. at St. Aloysius RC Church, Great Neck.