Brenda Hope Kirschenbaum-Gallardo

Brenda Hope Kirschenbaum-Gallardo, beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away on October 9, 2025, in Passaic, New Jersey. She was born on May 13, 1961, in New York, New York, to Simone Zartler and Martin Kirschenbaum.

Brenda was predeceased by her loving husband, Luis A. Gallardo, who passed away on October 15, 2008. She is survived by her devoted daughter, Gabrielle (Bret); her mother, Simone (Joseph, predeceased); her father, Martin, and stepmother, Angela; her sister, Liza (Marc); her brother, Eric (Ashlyn); and her cherished nieces and nephews — Rachel, Naomi, Zoe, Aaron, Zane, and the Gallardo nieces and nephews — all of whom she adored deeply.

A passionate and dedicated educator, Brenda earned her master’s degree in Special Education and devoted over 25 years to teaching students with disabilities. She shared her love of learning through her work in computer education, her leadership in the debate club and Mouse Squad, and her remarkable ability to teach her students to disassemble and reassemble computers — always encouraging curiosity, confidence, and independence.

Brenda was a strong, caring, kind, and talented woman who brought creativity and joy to all she did. She loved teaching, traveling, and spending time with her loved ones. Her artistic spirit shone through in her love for arts and crafts and her enthusiasm for building with Legos. Brenda also found fulfillment through volunteering at the Church of the Holy Innocents, where her generosity and faith touched many lives.

Visitation will be held at Wanamaker & Carlough Funeral Home, 177 NY-59, Suffern, NY 10901. Guests are kindly asked to wear colors (black pants are welcome). A celebration of Brenda’s life will take place at a later date.

There will also be a Shiva at the home of sister Liza on Wednesday 10/15/2025 at 6:30pm with a service at 7:30pm. Contact Liza: (973) 978-6300

“The risk of love is loss, and the price of loss is grief — but the pain of grief is only a shadow when compared with the pain of never risking love.” — Hillary Stanton Zunin