Miriam "Mimi" Gordon

Miriam Gordon, known to all who loved her as “Mimi”, passed away on May 10, 2026, at the age of 78. Born in New York City and raised in Roslyn Heights, New York, Mimi spent much of her adult life as a proud and devoted resident of Medford, Massachusetts, before her most recent years in Winchester and Boston.

Mimi was, in every sense, a woman of conviction and warmth. Those who knew her would describe her as strong, independent, and deeply caring—someone whose commitment to the well-being of others was not merely a sentiment but a way of life. She channeled that spirit into decades of work in labor organizing and progressive politics that left a lasting mark on her community.

After graduating from Boston University and earning a Master’s Degree from NYU, Mimi built a career as a licensor for day care facilities with the Massachusetts Office for Children. She joined SEIU Local 509, where she served as steward, officer, and ultimately Chapter President—a role she earned through tireless dedication to her colleagues. She also served as Vice Chair of Local 509’s Committee on Political Education for many years. In Medford, she was a secretary on the Ward Democratic Committee, a delegate to numerous Democratic State Conventions, and an energetic campaigner for progressive candidates at every level. In 2014, the Massachusetts House of Representatives honored her as an “Unsung Hero”—a recognition of her lifelong work as an organizer for social and economic justice.

Mimi was proud of her Jewish heritage and found deep meaning in its traditions, particularly the annual Labor Seder in Boston, where her love of Jewish tradition and justice came together in one room.

But Mimi was more than her causes. She played violin with the Philharmonic Society of Arlington. She was an avid reader, a lover of astronomy, and a passionate amateur astrophotographer who genuinely delighted in pointing her camera at the night sky. She adored seafood and had an unabashed weakness for sweets—a trait her family came to count on. Nieces and nephews remember her arriving to Long Island for Thanksgiving with her car packed with treats, and in later years, she made a point of always having a bag of mint M&Ms ready for her grand-niece Lily.

In recent years, Mimi felt especially fortunate when her nephew Matt and Lily made their home in Boston. She also welcomed Sarah, Addy, and Arlo with an open heart, greatly enjoyed their visits, and was genuinely moved to learn that Addy had been named after her mother—a gesture she carried with her always.

Mimi was predeceased by her beloved sisters Joanne and Leonore, and her sister-in-law Amina. She is survived by her sister-in-law Myra Kooy; her nephews Matt Sampson (Sarah) and Joshua Gordon Rachman (Michaela); her special niece Rachel Sampson; grand-nephews Stone Mathers and Arlo Sampson; and grand-nieces Lily and Addy Sampson and Wrenley Gordon-Rachman.

Her family is deeply appreciative of her small but mighty group of devoted friends who meant so much to her over decades. They are also incredibly thankful to the amazing caregivers from Atlas Home Care who devoted so much of their time, energy, and hearts to make her life as wonderful as it could be in the past couple of years. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mimi’s memory to Partners in Health, www.PIH.org, a global health and social justice organization that provides high-quality care to those who need it most—a mission that reflects exactly who Mimi was.

A celebration of Mimi’s life will take place via Zoom on Friday, May 22 at 10am. We encourage anyone who would like to speak to please do so. Please reach out to Mimi’s nephew or her close friends for the Zoom link.