Gale Finkelstein

Gale Finkelstein (Schumacher) sadly passed away this January of 2025. She was born in Queens, NY to Dorothy (Elmira) Hartman and Charles J Schumacher Jr. in 1939. She was raised by her mother and step father, John (Jack) Cotter in Upper Manhattan NY, on the Westside. Gale graduated from George Washington high school in 1957. While there she played basketball and received a medal. The family then moved to The Bronx, NY where she met her husband, Joe Finkelstein via her sister's boyfriend. They married in 1960. She worked for Con Edison as a data entry operator until the birth of her first child. They then had a son and daughter.

She stayed home to raise their family. Gale loved her family and friends and was always ready to help those in need. She enjoyed cooking, baking, cake decorating and trying new recipes. Gale often sewed clothes for her children and sewed beautiful Barbie doll clothes that she designed.

Gale is survived by her daughter. June, son Robert and daughter, Laura. Her grandchildren and great granddaughter; Erik, Ryan, Adam, Marinda, Eddie and Sloane from Pennsylvania and Texas.

Cousin Robert Howell and wife Peggy. Her nieces and nephews; Tanya, Samantha and Craig Ortiz and Sonya in NY. Ralph Cotter and wife and children in Staten Island, NY. Sam, Travis, Angie and Brianna and their children in VA. She was preceded in death by her grandmother Alice Crossman Hartman, stepdad Jack Cotter, sister Sally.Di metro.and her children James Jr. and Carla.Di Metro. Her brothers Patrick Cotter, Charles Schumacher and sister Marion Cotter Ortiz. and nephew Patrick Cotter Jr. As well as her husband Joel Finkelstein.