Erasmus, Gayle

Other Events:

• Other Info or Events: 4 Dec 1941; Daughter of Percy and Alice Erasmus of Beverly Hills, CA
• Obituary: 11 Oct 2014
• News Mention: 3 Dec 2014
• News Mention: 3 Dec 2014; The Pike County Courier
• News Mention: 3 Dec 2014; The Pike County Courier

Notes:

Obituary:
Gayle E. Schuster, 72, of Stockton, NJ, passed away on October 10, 2014 after a life filled with love and laughter.
She worked as a librarian in Hunterdon County, NJ for the Kingwood Elementary, High Bridge Middle School & Hunterdon Central High School until her retirement in 1999. Previous to that, she was an English teacher in NYC. She spent a majority of her retirement volunteering in Milford, PA, where she resided for 15 years at Twin Lakes.
She is predeceased by her parents, Percy and Alice Erasmus of Beverly Hills, CA,
Brother, Charles Erasmas and niece, Gwendolyn of Goleta, CA.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Richard, of 47 years, beloved son, Evan Schuster, cherished daughter, Nicolle Schuster and son-in-law, Scott Belsky, two grandchildren, nephew, Thomas Erasmus, as well as many countless loving friends.
Gayle wished that in-lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Pike County Public Library - Gayle Schuster Children's Theatre, c/o Attn: Kirk Mackey, Pike County Library, 119 East Harford Street, Milford, PA 18337.
Too soon in the chilly fields of fall,
Winter's wind blows away the grains of life,
Leaving only a picture of the past,
Drawn by a restless artist in a moment filled by silent ecstasy.
- Gayle Erasmus, 1957

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posting on facebook by gayle's son Evan Schuster;
In Memory of my Mother: GAYLE SCHUSTER
She passed away at 3:30 this morning with me by her side and opened her eyes one last time before letting go. Her suffering has come to an end and she's finally free.
My sister Nicolle Song Schuster and father Richard Schuster are very devastated over our loss. My mother's wishes were that we have a private family memorial and she didn't want anyone to send flowers.
She worked her whole life to better others, especially her work as a teacher in Hunterdon County at Kingwood Elementary, High Bridge Middle School and a short time at Hunterdon Central HS. After retiring she devoted her time to ensuring that a new Library be built and it was.
Helping children as a librarian was her passion and in-liu of flowers she asked that donations be made to the Children's Theater named in her honor and now memory that is to be built.
Donations can be made out to (no amount is too small):
Checks to: Pike Library Schuster Theater Fund
In the Memo: Gayle Schuster Children's Theater Fund
Send to: Attn: Kirk Mackey Pike County Library 119 E Hartford St Milford PA 18337
I'm eternally grateful to all those that supported us through this difficult time and I know there will always be a guardian angel watching over us all! My life will never be the same as I've lost the Love of my life.
God bless you all and hold your loved ones close to you today in memory of my mother

News Mention:
See Evan now lives in Florida and owns Paramount Training Services, a chain of health care schools in South Florida. He has an adopted daughter, Madelynne, who is 4.
Evan's father, Richard, worked for Dow Jones, near the World Trade Center. He retired in 2001, a month before the 9/11 tragedy. Gayle, who retired earlier, spent much of her time with the friends of the library and her garden club.
After the move to Stockton, Gayle suffered from health problems - first pneumonia, then mitral valve replacement surgery in 2013, and then the gastro-intestinal cancer that took her life.
"Why was she taken so early?" Her son Evan asks himself. "She did so much."
He is comforted by the fact he got the chance to tell her how much he loved her, and how many friends she had, and how many lives she touched.
"If the life you have is going to be measured," Evan said, "it should be by how many lives you've touched."
And Gayle Schuster touched many lives - and will continue to do so through the Children's Theater she dreamed up.

News Mention:
Gayle Schuster's dream coming true
Children's theater and reading area will honor a dedicated 'gladiator' for the library
By Ginny Privitar
MILFORD - Some people have it - an innate generosity of spirit evident to everyone they meet. Gayle Schuster was one of those people.
"Gayle was instrumental in getting support for the library we have now," said Betty Hague, a member of the Library Board of Directors and Friends of the Pike County Public Library. "She persevered and did not give up. She fought like a gladiator to have this building constructed."
Schuster was a longtime library volunteer and member of the Friends and Library Board. She worked tirelessly to establish the new library before her death in October at age 72. To honor her public spirit, the board plans to create the Gayle Schuster Children's Theater and reading area in her name. It was Schuster's dream to create a theater especially for children.
The new Dorothy E. Warner Pike County Public Library building opened its doors on Sept. 30, 2013. It was preceded by a contentious period when some promoted a grander building that would not fit on the lot set aside for it. A design more in keeping with its surroundings and approved by most residents was ultimately approved.
Hague said Schuster came up with the idea for a stage for children's theater and a circular seating area for storytelling.
"It would be a place that was happy and fun and special for children," whom Schuster loved, Hague said.
According to Elspeth Goodin, former President of the Library Board, Schuster was a very positive, hard-working person.
"Gayle was wonderful to know, outgoing and believing in outreach and services for the community," she said. "She was very dedicated to this library and it was her idea to include a Friends' room where the Friends of Pike Library could make available used books for sale."
The room was officially named the James R. Goldstein Friends of the Library Room. Hardcover books sell for one dollar and paperbacks for 50 cents. In just one year, they've managed to raise $13,000, all of which goes to the library's operations.
Hague misses her friend.
"Gayle and I were not only board members together, but very close friends," she said. "I can't come up with the right adjectives. She was considerate of other people, quiet when she believed in something and she didn't give up and stuck to her guns. She was one of the kindest people I've ever known."
Both Elspeth Goodin and current Library Board President Kirk Mackey felt an instant connection with Schuster. Mackey said he met Schuster ten years ago, and that she was one of the first people to welcome him. He said he formed "an instant connection" with Schuster and her family, thinking, "This is a person I would like to spend time with, (sharing) the same values and goals."
A fearless advocate
Mackey said Schuster stayed involved when many others dropped off the board during the controversy surrounding the proposed new library.
"Her motives were never self-serving," Mackey said. "They were always for the betterment of the Milford community, especially the children."
The library is only a few thousand dollars from its Children's Theater goal. The community has contributed generously. Board members hope they will receive a grant in January 2015 that will enable them to complete the entire lower level and proceed with construction of the theater area. An opening will be created near the circulation desk and a staircase installed down to the lower level. In addition to the stage for the children's theater, there will be audio-visual, recording and sound system equipment. Storytelling, too, will take place, and people from all walks of life will be invited to come and read to the children.
To contribute
If you wish to contribute to the Children's Theater, make your check payable to the Pike County Library; on the memo line, write "Gayle Schuster Children's Theater." Address the envelope as follows: Gayle Schuster Children's Theater-Pike County Library, 119 East Harford Street, Milford, Pa. 18337, Attn: Kirk Mackey.

Gayle married Schuster, Richard (son of SCHUSTER, Frank Wenzel and ASCHENBRENNER, Rosalia) [Group Sheet]

Nicolle married Belsky, Scott [Group Sheet]

Evan — . Unknown [Group Sheet]