Pearl Brick Gordon

Pearl Brick Gordon (Penny) passed March 11, 2025 surrounded by her two daughters as they embraced her. Penny grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, at the age of 21, visited her college roommate & cherished friend, Betty Levin, in Bham. Here, she met her soon to be beloved husband, Marshall Gordon, beginning a love affair of 65 years. Marshall passed away September 7, 2012.

Penny was preceded in death by her parents, Ann and Sam Brick, mother-in-law Ruth Gordon, sister Rita B. Routman, brother-in-law Jerry Routman, son-in-law Jerry Gordon-Hellman, and nephew Robert Routman.

Penny is survived by her two loving daughters, Linda Bhimi Gordon Cayce, Debra Gordon Hellman (Jerry), precious granddaughter, Rayna G-H Appleton (Andrew) nieces, nephews, & close friends

She lovingly cared for her beloved husband Marshall at home during the 15 years he lived with Alzheimer's. Penny was deeply grateful to Bhimi and Debra for their exceptional, continuous, hands-on help with their father. She very often spoke about the unusual selfless nature of her daughters, who drove miles every week, spending days and nights assisting both of their parents at home.

Penny had an extremely close-knit family, and she was completely dedicated to caring for her parents in their senior years. She also spent many days and nights in the hospital over the years at the bedside of her beloved sister Rita, who passed away prematurely.

Penny graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in Journalism, marketing and was in theater productions, acting. Her passion for these skills carried over into her Temple Beth-El membership, where she wrote, acted, and directed for numerous Sisterhood & Hadassah productions. She was very dedicated to her Sisterhood, where she served as VP for many years, heading up many important committees and projects.

One of her greatest joys was writing musical skits for family & friends, celebrating their happy occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, and bar mitzvahs. Writing parodies was a hobby she pursued with great pleasure. Penny had a great sense of wit & humor. One of her favorite quips was… “At 95 years old, my shelf life is expiring”.

She treasured her summer getaways at the Florida beaches, where she & Marshall took their children for 29 years. Cousins also joined the family fun and together time. She was an extremely positive, get-it-done kind of woman with strong and valued opinions and advice which everyone appreciated most of the time:)

Penny loved games and two of her favorites were her weekly Canasta and Mah-Jong with longtime friends for all of her married years.

She loved listening to music especially country. And she was an avid, incredible dancer. So many years spent where she & Marshall went Saturday night dancing at the Fairmont Club to the music of Harrison Cooper and his 12-piece band.

Penny's husband she called “her world.” While she referred to her children, Bhimi, Debra, and Jerry, as the “moon and stars,” and her one and only precious grandchild, Rayna, was the “sunshine” in her life and one of her greatest gifts.

She always told her children, “We may not always see eye to eye, but we will forever feel heart to heart” And she was constantly saying, “I love you more,” no matter how much we said we loved her.

Penny appreciated the dedication of Bertha Ruth, who was the family's devoted housekeeper for over 45 years, and to Glenn Bradley, who took special care of Marshall for years. Eloise Shaw and Earlene Johnson were both extraordinary, amazing, long-term caregivers in the last years of her life as well as Brenda Williams and Teresa Richardson.

Graveside funeral services will be Thursday March 13, at Elmwood Cemetery Block 40 at 11 a.m., and Celebration of Life following at Temple Beth-El at Noon, 2179 Highland Ave South. Everyone is welcome.

For those not able to attend, you can watch the Celebration of Life from Noon to 1pm. https://www.youtube.com/user/TBEBirmingham

Family requests that donations be made to the Cohen Performing Arts Fund of the Temple Beth-El Foundation, NE Miles Jewish Day School, or charity of your choice. https://www.templebeth-el.net/payment.php