Edith Gittleman, age 97 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, former fifty-year resident of Lynbrook, NY, died peacefully at Independence Manor on Thursday, May 2, 2024, under the caring watch of Hunterdon Hospice. She was born on August 6, 1926, in Brooklyn New York, to Sally and William Nadelman, immigrants from Russia who arrived in the United States in 1902. Edith was the youngest of the couple’s three daughters, all of whom were first-generation Americans.

From a young age, Edith took an interest in high fashion while working with her uncles, who were clothing designers for the 100 Club. As a result of this experience, Edith displayed remarkable artistic talent in fashion design, which led her to become one of the first graduates of the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), where she earned a full scholarship to study costume design. Following her graduation, she pursued a career in retail as a buyer for Macy’s in New York City, a profession that perfectly complemented her lifelong passion for fashion and shopping.

In 1956, Edith married David Gittleman, and together they raised their two sons and daughter in Brooklyn, NY, before relocating to Lynbrook, where Edith resided for over five decades. Despite the heartbreaking loss of her husband in 1974, Edith persevered as a single mother and built strong friendships within the community.

An active member of Temple Beth David, Edith also worked as the head bridal attendant for Levenstein and Sarnoff caterers at Temple Beth Shalom, touching the lives of many with her warmth and dedication. In her later years, she cherished the opportunity to travel with friends and continued to find joy in activities like Rummikub and Bingo, despite facing the challenges of dementia.

Edith is preceded in death by her parents, Sally and William Nadelman, her husband David Gittleman, and her sisters Toby Aronoff and Lorraine Nadelman, who remarkably passed away on the same date in May as Edith at the same age of 97 in 2021.

Edith is survived by her son Victor, daughter-in-law Lisa, son Henry, daughter-in-law Debra, daughter Stacy and son in law Tom. Edith is also survived by her four grandchildren, Jordan, Jessica, Eric, and Josh Gittleman, as well as her cherished grand pups, Chloe, Roxie and Leo and the late Pune Gittleman Devine, Stacy and Tom’s beloved capuchin monkey who was a companion to Edith for many years.

Edith will be remembered for her strength of character and kind heart and leaves behind a legacy of strength and determination that will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Graveside funeral services officiated by Rabbi Aaron Benson, will take place on Monday, May 6, 2024, beginning at 11:00 a.m., at Montefiore Cemetery, 121-83 Springfield Boulevard, Springfield Gardens, NY 11413. Everyone is kindly asked to arrive and gather near the cemetery main office at 10:45 a.m.

Shiva information will be announced.

All arrangements are under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

You are encouraged to visit Edith’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.

As is custom in the Jewish faith, no flowers please; memorial contributions may be made to Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary, via mail to 13915 North State Road 121, Gainesville, FL 32653, or online by clicking HERE, or to Hunterdon Hospice, thru the Hunterdon Health Foundation, via mail to 9100 Wescott Drive, Suite 202, Flemington, NJ 08822, or online by clicking HERE.

May the Gittleman family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”