Many thanks to Pam Feingold for updating this information about our friend, Gayle Singer. Gayle's daughter, Petrina, is going to try to come to our Sunday Brunch so that she can meet Gayle's old friends and learn a little more about her mother's short life--she was a dear friend to many of us and sadly missed.
In the absence of an obituary, information was gathered from Gayle’s sister, Marci Galamba Asghari, and brother, Bob Galamba.
After high school, Gayle married Ben Salamo, and from that marriage she had a daughter, Petrina. Gayle and Ben separated before Petrina was two, and Gayle moved to New York City, where she met a sudden and untimely death. Petrina is now in her 40s with a son in the Army and a daughter in high school.
Marci Galamba Asghari, Gayle’s sister, remembers her as artistic, fun-loving and strong-willed. Marci also remembers Gayle watching out for her and being a wise big sister encouraging Marci to listen to her parents, and not make the same mistakes as Gayle. She couldn’t have asked for a better big sister and misses her tremendously.
Those of us who knew Gayle would agree that she was fun-loving, adventurous, inclusive and non-judgmental. Marci’s haunting question is, “What would Gayle have been like today?” I know her closest friends ponder the same.
Helen Schwartz (Salvay)
Gayle and I were friends in middle school and we had many fun times. She had a great sense of humor and a good heart.
Melissa Burr (Jackson)
I remembered Gayle from Border Star as a curly haired blond friend who laughed alot. She was fun to be around. I remember her Mom. And didn't she grow up in your neighborhood Pam Feingold? I remember how shocked I was when I learned she had passed.Lana Rainen (Yunker)
I met Gayle when I was four years old. My parents built our home in 1954 at 1219 West 64th Terrace. We moved in August of that year. Gayle lived with her grandparents, Sylvia and Isadore Singer, at 1244 West 64th Terrace. Gayle and I became instant best friends. We just loved playing in our neigborhood with other neighbors like Keith and Gary Wacknov and Freddy Eaglestein. We all boarded the school bus together for Border Star School.
My most vivid memories were the times I spent over at Gayle's grandparents home. Her grandmother was an Auntie Mame. She was always a sight to behold with a long cigarette holder in her hand. Mrs. Singer was very dramatic and sent Gayle to "Dramatics School"--In her bedroom Mrs. Singer had a dressing table filled with makeup just fit for an actress. It was Mrs. Singer that taught us how to dance "The Twist"-- Mr. Singer was the kindest grandfather and adored Gayle. When Gayle's mother remarried, she moved into her mother's home. I remember we were eight years old. It was a sad time for me, since I didn't have my best friend living on my street any more. On the other hand Gayle became good friends with Lonny, Gayle P, and Pam.
I will be thinking of Gayle this weekend and thinking of all the fun memories she gave to so many of us!
Lana Rainen Yunker