Naomi Ruth Axelrod

Naomi Ruth Axelrod was born in New York City in 1939 to Solomon “Sol” Axelrod (1903, Russia -1948) and Pauline Wechter (1904, Austria - 1994). Sol, Naomi’s biological father, was an embroiderer and tailor, working in New York City. When Sol died, Pauline married Myer Karesky of Dorchester, Massachusetts. Pauline and her daughter, Naomi, then moved to the Boston area, in Dorchester, where Naomi grew up. Myer was a garment presser by trade who became one of the leaders of the Boston International Ladies Garment Workers Union, Pressers Local 12. Myer immigrated from Russia in 1903. Myer was active in the ILGWU, serving as a union organizer and business agent. Naomi worked for a time in the Boston office doing clerical work when she was a teenager, one of her first jobs. Naomi eventually married self-taught engineer, David Gernes (1937-2003), and had two children, Todd, in 1962, and Jennifer, in 1966.

Naomi began her adult life as a homemaker in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and then Lexington, Massachusetts, and was profoundly affected by the second-wave feminism of the 1970s, particularly the consciousness-raising (CR) movement then simmering in suburban America. Naomi and David went on to found a commune in a large Victorian house Watertown, Massachusetts. After Naomi and David divorced, Naomi focused on earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology (University of Massachusetts, Boston) and a master’s degree in social work (MSW, Boston University). After earning her LICSW credential, she built a successful private practice and continued to receive clients to the end of her life. As a practitioner, friend, partner, and mother, she was known for her wisdom, empathy, and her ability to create trust and lasting bonds.

Naomi was also an innovative cook, meticulous housekeeper, and a miracle worker with houseplants and kitchen gardens. An avid reader, Naomi loved books of all kinds and also film and music. She especially relished news and public affairs programs on television, along with painting in watercolor and acrylic, entertaining, and volunteering with local arts organizations. She was a devoted and caring mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and, during the last thirty years of her life, a committed partner to Diane Greene. Naomi and Diane made their home on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, most recently in the lovely town of Wellfleet, where they eventually settled into retirement. Naomi, who had been suffering from Parkinson’s Disease for the last five years of her life, spent her final weeks at the Lily House in Wellfleet.

Naomi is survived by son, Todd Gernes, his wife, Linda Gernes, and grandson, Corey; daughter, Jennifer Gernes, and granddaughter, Ariel Tatsch, Ariel’s husband, Justin Tatsch, and great-granddaughter, Abigail Tatsch. Naomi will be greatly missed by her small but devoted extended family, her loving partner, Diane, and a close network of friends, all of whom added warmth and richness to her life and being.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Lily House, where their beautiful care of Naomi meant so much to all of us. https://www.thelilyhouse.org/ways-you-can-help Or mail to Box 1818 Wellfleet, MA 02667.