Gail Sklar Podell

Gail Sklar Podell, age 99, was the vivacious, beloved wife of Mortimer I. Podell for 72 years until his death in November 2015. She is survived by children Alison Rosenberg (Jeff) and Owen Podell (Marcia), grandchildren Robert Rosenberg, Michael Podell, Nicole Angotti (Vusi Dlamini) and Alyson Angotti (Tristan Hari), great-grandchildren Mati and iZulu Angotti-Dlamini, and many more who called her “Aunt Gail.” When Gail and Mort married in New York City in 1943, Mort had been assigned to Miami, Florida, while serving in U.S. Army Intelligence. At that time, Gail was attending Brooklyn College at night while holding a full time job during the day. Gail and Mort moved to Miami, where Mort was stationed. They remained Floridians from 1943 until 2008. During that time, Gail completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in English (with honors). Gail's professional life included positions as a teacher and as an administrative assistant to the senior rabbi of Temple Beth Am. Gail actively engaged in charitable work, serving as President of the Coral Gables chapter of Women's American ORT. Her mother suffered from Parkinson's Disease, and Gail’s desire to “make a difference” led her to develop a relationship with Jeanne Levy, founder of the National Parkinson Foundation. Gail organized a cultural/social group of like-minded married couples, called “The 21 Club.” This highly-successful enterprise benefited the National Parkinson Foundation, to which all dues were donated. Gail was also interested in all things cultural, and she later organized a book club at the Temple (at a time when book clubs were a relatively unknown activity) which grew and thrived. She and Mort were active in other book groups as well. Gail also worked with the organizer of Sunday Afternoons of Music at the University of Miami. Gail was a first-rate crossword puzzle solver, a highly-skilled double-acrostic layer, a champion Scrabble player, and a top-notch bridge player. She was also an excellent cook and a generous hostess at gatherings of family and friends. Gail and Mort moved to the Washington, D.C. area in September 2008. She passed away on October 13, 2019, while living at Avalon House in McLean, Virginia, and was buried in a private service at King David Memorial Park on October 18th. A Celebration of Life with family and friends will be held on December 8th. Donations in Gail's memory can be made to VITAS Community Connection, associated with VITAS hospice care, at VITASCommunityConnection.org, or the charity of your choice.