Obituary of Joan Robins Gordon

Joan Robins Gordon of Charlotte NC passed away peacefully at home February 3, 2019 at the age of 84. She was born July 3, 1934 in Allentown PA. She was the daughter of the late Jack and Mollie Robins, whose families immigrated from Austria and Russia in the early 1900s. Both she and Mort grew up surrounded by many aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Morton Robins. She is survived by her loving daughters, Wendy Gordon of Woodland, PA and Bonnie Gordon of Charlotte, NC.

 

Joan was bright, unconventional, independent, and unfazed by social norms. She enrolled in college at the University of Miami as a student of engineering.  She was a woman way ahead of her time.

 

It was here she met Ron Gordon at the Hillel House. They were married a year later and moved to Charlotte NC in 1961 with their daughters.

She was a very dedicated mother who took pride in raising her daughters in a traditional Jewish home. Eventually she began her career working at Temple Israel in charge of day to day operations, as well organizing special events. She continued to work at several companies in which she was able to use her exceptional organizational and business skills. She was loyal, dedicated and dependable. Her attention to detail was well known by all who knew her.

She had a very generous heart. Volunteering to promote the wellbeing of others was very important to her. She typed Braille for the blind, read books to first graders, assisted with summer camp for young children at a church, provided financial advice to young couples among many other activities. She began Rape Crisis of Charlotte in the early 1970s. She was always on call, day and night. She was able to secure financial assistance and then Rape Crisis was able to function on its own.

 

During this time, she became involved with Bʼnai Bŕith Women, eventually becoming Regional President. She helped spearhead new initiatives, such as a program for senior Jewish women which eventually evolved into the Oasis Senior program at the JCC. Additionally, she was instrumental facilitating the move of the first Jewish Russian family fleeing the oppressive regime in Russia in the early 70s’s.She started as a volunteer on weekends at Maes Inn caring for those who families were in intensive care at Carolina Medical Center, across the street. Shortly after she was asked to become the House Manager. She did and continued to follow her heart.

 

She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. She had the most wonderful caregivers who attended to her needs. The family would like to acknowledge and give special thanks to Niva, Karen, Nona and Ruby who helped make her life more joyous, filled her with laughter and took the best of care she could ever receive.

 

Many thanks to Darla of Home Instead for providing such wonderful caregivers.

 

The family would like to acknowledge John Hovis, a friend of many years, Sheryl Gerrard and a volunteer of JFS whose visits were very much anticipated.

 

And a special thanks to Rabbi Tracy Klirs for and her contributions, reflections of her, and her visits which she very much enjoyed.

 

Memorials may be made in the name of Joan Gordon to Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, P.O. Box 470408, Charlotte, NC  28226;  Humane Society of Charlotte, 2700 Toomey Ave., Charlotte, NC  28203;  and Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte, 3815 Latrobe Dr., Charlotte, NC  28211.

 

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