Obituary of Robin G. Gershaw

Robin Ann Gant Gershaw
Mother, Friend, Volunteer, and Supporter of the Arts

Robin Gershaw (Gant) passed away on November 15, 2023, at Morristown Memorial Hospital at the age of 69.  Born in Orange, NJ to the late Earl and Lee Gant, Robin lived in East Hanover before moving to her beloved Denville, NJ 39 years ago.  She is predeceased by her beloved husband-for-eternity, Glenn Gershaw, of 37 years (with whom she had been together for 51 years), as well as her brother, Stephen Gant.

She was a devoted mother to Kristen Stone and her fiancé, Justin, of Denville, Cassandra Generelli and her husband, Sam, of Landing, and Daniel Gershaw and his husband, Victor, of New York City; an unmatched Nana to grandchildren Dr. Taylor and Dr. Tyler Suruskie of Hopatcong, Emilee Stone of Denville, and Katie Stone of Denville; and a wonderful dog mom to Parker and Hope.  Robin is survived by her sister Lauren Rossi of Cedar Knolls, her brother Doug Gant and his wife, Renaté, of East Hanover, NJ, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Robin graduated from Hanover Park High School in 1972, where she was a member of the Hornet Marching Band, captain of the color guard, and notably the first female drum major.  She was also an engineer and announcer at the WHPH radio station. Professionally, she has been a lifeguard, waitress, secretary, collections agent, and so much more.  Not many know she was also a competitive roller dancer.  Taught to sew in the first grade by her mother and grandmother, Robin was an avid seamstress and loved to make curtains, clothing, alterations, theatrical costumes, and legendary Halloween costumes.  

Robin started the Lakeview Elementary School Talent Show in 1994 and subsequently ran it for 7 years.  She was the play costumer for Morris Knolls High School, was on the band booster executive board for 4 years, and raised enough money to save the performing arts program for Denville Township Schools when it was cut from the BOE budget.  She was a deacon at the 1st Presbyterian Church of Boonton, the ROCK (H.S. youth group) leader for 10 years, a Sunday school teacher, worship and costume commissioner, pageant leader, and led 4 mission trips for RISE and Hurricane Katrina.  

A lifelong giver, Robin was a volunteer at Boonton Social Services for almost 40 years and devoutly shepherded the Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and back-to-school programs.  She was also a near constant fixture at Faith Kitchen.  In 2020 she received a Senate and General Assembly Citation, in recognition of her numerous charitable works.  Robin was a volunteer at St. Paul’s Chapel after 9/11 and an ordained minister having officiated the weddings of countless family and friends.  With a friend, she created Denville Cut and Sew during COVID, a group of 120 people who crafted over 22,000 face masks to donate to local hospitals, nursing homes, fire departments, first aid squads, group homes, and graduations for Valleyview and all 5 local High Schools.

But most of all, Robin took great pride in her family, who were her entire world; her most cherished occupation was of being a mother.  She supported her children in every avenue of their lives, by being a class mother, PTA member, ice cream mom, team mom for numerous sports, babysitter, cheerleader, sewer of costume-wear, champion listener, and so much more.  Robin was always happiest being a wife, nana, friend, and volunteer.  

She loved her wicker baskets, cardboard boxes, fabric, scrapbooking pictures of family, Sunday dinners, (famous) ice cream sundae bars, Christmas decorations (especially manger sets and angels), giving out Halloween candy, and baking Christmas cookies by the gross.  Robin’s home was always open to everyone, and she hoped everyone felt welcome when they entered and enjoyed their time when they were there. She was infamously known to be “Mom to All.”

Visitation will be held on Sunday November 26, 2023, from 3:00PM to 8:00PM at Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Avenue Denville, NJ 07834 www.normandean.com.  A funeral service will be held on Monday November 27, at 1:00PM at the First Presbyterian Church of Boonton 513 Birch St. Boonton, NJ 07005. To view a recording of Robin's funeral service, please click here.

Memorial donations can be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research or to the American Heart Association by way of www.inmemof.org.

“As you wish.”