Geraldine Helene Antelman

Geraldine was born on March 11, 1941 on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. From Manhattan to Brooklyn, she eventually settled in Passaic, New Jersey, where she raised her three daughters. She loved to cook and entertain and was the social butterfly of any gatherings, the life of every party. So, it was appropriate that she pursued a career in Marketing and Social Research, as she could speak with anybody about any topic. This extended to her political affiliations in Passaic, where she volunteered to elect local officials whose policies aligned with hers—from Board of Education to Town Council to Mayor, she was actively involved. She was well-known throughout Passaic for her iconic dessert: Ambrosia. Anybody who knew Geraldine, knew and loved her Ambrosia.

And then came her move to Vegas, for which she carried a yearning, after a visit to a cousin some years earlier. At 64 years old, she traveled West and fulfilled this dream to live the rest of her life in the desert city of Las Vegas. Immediately, she enrolled in classes at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNLV (OLLI). A writer and poet back in New Jersey—where she attended writing and other creative classes at Montclair State University—she signed up for every writing class available. With passion and discipline, she dove in and began her journey into creative writing. While at OLLI, she volunteered for different social action committees. The Sunshine Committee was a favorite, as she spent time helping others. The Committee delivered well wishes to members who were ill, condolences, or for happier occasions, anniversaries and birthdays. Geraldine’s spirited personality and desire to make others feel good was a perfect fit for the Sunshine Committee.

Geraldine loved the theatre, especially any production starring Yul Brynner, and live concerts performed by Harry Belafonte. So, when she moved to Vegas, she signed on to the Senior Tripsters, and enjoyed Shakespeare and other theatrical productions regularly. Another favorite, the mountain scenery, inspired her daily, especially Red Rock Canyon.

Geraldine is survived by three daughters, Alison Antelman (Eric Smith, son-in-law); Judith Antelman; and Lisa Antelman; and granddaughter, Ilana Antelman.