August 11, 2025
Sally Gail Hoskins, 71, of New York City and Kent, New York, passed away on July 24th, 2025 in New York, with loving family present. Sally is survived by her brother Richard Hoskins (Christine) of Oro Valley, AZ, her niece Clea James (Cary) and their children Anneliis and Graeme of Chicago, IL, who brought her immense joy as her grand-niece and grand-nephew. She is also survived by her brother Arthur Hoskins(Sarah) and their daughter Emma. She was preceded in death by her elder brother Craig Hoskins, his wife Anne, and her parents Robert L. Hoskins and Doris M. Hoskins. Sally was born on November 29th, 1953. She grew up in Wilmette, Illinois as one of 4 children. As the only daughter, she carved her own path pursuing lifelong interests in Music and Science. After graduating from New Trier High School, she attended the University of Illinois and completed her PhD in Biology at The University of Chicago. She then completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at Columbia University under advisor John Hildebrand from 1982-1985. There, “she did beautiful and important work…and was clearly destined for a successful career in Science,” Hildebrand shares. Her dissertation work was noted in textbooks for many years. She embarked on a career as a Developmental Neurobiologist; her interest in the embryonic nervous system. She became a member of the biology faculty at The City College of New York until her retirement in 2019. During this time, Sally discovered her passion for teaching and science education. She developed a pioneering, powerful, and effective strategy for science education that she named CREATE. Through her unique approach, based on deep dives into actual research papers instead of textbooks, she demystified and humanized science research for undergraduate learners. Sally earned widespread acclaim in the field of STEM education, building a lengthy record of federal (NSF) grants, national workshops, seminars and publications. She inspired cohorts of science educators to innovate their teaching with CREATE methods. A legacy of her scholarship now extends across high schools, colleges, and universities throughout the US and beyond. Throughout her career, Sally was recipient of numerous awards including The Genetics Society of America’s Elizabeth W. Jones award for Excellence in Education in 2017, the 2013 Pearson Four-Year College & University Section Research in Biology Education Award from the National Association of Biology Teachers, the 2007 and 2011 John Doctor Education Prizes from the Society for Developmental Biology, the Presidential Young Investigator award from the National Science Foundation, and a three-time winner of the CCAPP Teacher of the Year at City College. In a corresponding interview, Sally recalled discovering her love for science in seventh grade, “I just loved working with my hands and with a dissecting microscope to see what was inside – I was very captivated.” The name of her educational strategy epitomizes what she was – a critical thinker and a true creative. In addition to her work as an educator and researcher, she was a passionate writer, crafter and maker – designing jewelry, making quilts, and creations out of numerous found objects. Her interest in writing began in high school culminating in publishing both personally and academically. She was a long-time member of a writing group for which she had great passion. She published personal work in multiple outlets including the New York Times, Science, Newsweek, and Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Visible Ink Program. Sally’s creativity flowed through every aspect of her life, including her lifelong passion for music. Her love of choral music led her to perform with multiple ensembles, including the New Amsterdam Singers throughout her life. Her vision and leadership ultimately culminated in the creation of her own ensemble, SHE (Sally Hoskins Ensemble), which she founded, conducted, and sang with. Each performance was dedicated to supporting a different charitable cause, reflecting her belief that creativity should be accessible and a force for positive change in the world. Sally was a nurturing friend, a beloved aunt, and was treasured dearly by those fortunate enough to know her. Her friends speak of her in the most cherished terms—as "my sister of choice," "my children's preferred mother," and "my lifelong best friend.” Her positive energy and zest for life touched everyone she encountered, creating bonds that transcended conventional friendship and became family. She was loved and valued for the extraordinary depth of her relationships, many spanning decades, each one a testament to her remarkable ability to create lasting connections. At the time of her passing, she was finalizing a concert that is scheduled for September, 21, 2025. SHE will be performing SOUVENIR, a concert in her honor, at 4pm with a memorial service to follow at 5:30 at Christ and St. Stephens Church (120 W. 69th St., NYC). All concert proceeds will benefit the community outreach at Broadway Presbyterian Church.