Sally Gail Hoskins
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.
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Viewing Thursday December 18th, 2025 9:00 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. Funeral Mass Church of St. Monica 413 East 79th Street New York, NY 10075 Thursday December 18th, 2025 10:00 A.M. Private Cremation In Lieu of Flowers Donate to St. Jude https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html
Donna M. Hamilton, a beloved mother, was born on December 27, 1943 in Kansas City, MO and peacefully passed away in the early evening of October 31, 2025. Donna’s faith guided her outlook to motherhood and to life. Donna grew up throughout the state of Texas. After graduating high school, her family moved to Washington, D. C. She eventually met and later married Vernon Hamilton (1930-2014); they had three children. Donna enjoyed participating in her church's events, embroidery, watching Hallmark movies, and most of all being with her family and friends. She had a beautiful smile and a kind, friendly personality that was noticed by everyone. Donna retired from New York Presbyterian Hospital after working as a Physician’s Assistant for over 35 years. She worked in the ambulatory surgery and plastic surgery departments, but her passion was in plastic surgery. Donna was phenomenal and highly respected in her field and often would be called upon to help the student physicians. Donna is survived by her three children: Scott, Melody, and Todd, an older brother, John Scott, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her grandson, Hamilton, who lived nearby, was often at her apartment visiting, going to the store for her when it became too difficult, or trying to keep her spirit up. Donna was loving, kind, charming, and unforgettable. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her and she will continue to inspire us all. Two quotes that our mother always told us (and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren): “treat others the way you wanted to be treated” and “do not compare yourself to others because for always there will be greater and lesser persons than you.”
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CECILE OTTE PERNICA, 90, died peacefully on October 27, 2025. Born in Iowa, she lived much of her life in Wisconsin, graduating from Lawrence University in Appleton in 1957. Cecile had careers in public relations and marketing research upon moving to New York City in 1964. She was married to Joseph Pernica of Czechoslovakia who passed away in 2011. Together they conducted international and other marketing research for 10 years. She is survived by her brother David Otte plus many nieces and nephews in Massachusetts and Czech Republic. Services will be held at John Krtil Funeral Home on Monday, November 3, 5 PM - 8PM. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Church at 411 E68th St New York, NY 10065 on Tuesday, November 4, 10AM with a Private Burial.
John S. Bracken (82), of Eltingville, Staten Island passed away on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 surrounded by love from his immediate family. John, more affectionately known as Jack, was born on November 28, 1942 on Staten Island to John and Evelyn Bracken. John grew up on Staten Island but spent most of his adult life in Manhattan and The Catskill Mountains in Upstate New York. While John was born a city man, he always heard the call of the wild deep in his heart. After spending many years in the city, he left for the peacefulness of the Upstate New York Catskill Mountain Range. There he spent his final years in harmony and total freedom, something he valued beyond words. As a young man, John served as a Paratrooper in the United States Army which was followed by a career in the FDNY during which he rose to the rank of Lieutenant. Throughout his life, John was a business owner, real estate investor, and restaurateur. One of his many ventures included being the proprietor of The Cathedral Cafe, a well established bar/restaurant on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, featured in both television and film. John married his loving wife, Maureen Elizabeth Murphy Bracken, on July 18, 1981 in New York City and together they shared 44 years of love and companionship. He is survived by his wife (Maureen Elizabeth Bracken, née Murphy), his daughter (Casey Elizabeth Ryan), his son-in-law (James Raymond Ryan III), and his grandson (James Raymond Ryan IV (JR)), his niece (Donna Bracken Albanese) and her husband (Jody Albanese), nephews (Richard Bracken JR. and Brian Bracken), great nephew (Richard Bracken III), and great nieces (Kristy and Jennifer Albanese).
Mary M. Terillo October 6th, 2025 Visitation Thursday, October 9th & Friday, October 10th 3:00pm-7:30pm Mass of Christian Burial Church of Saint John Nepomucene East 66th Street & First Avenue Saturday, October 11th 10:00am Burial Saint Charles Cemetery Farmingdale, NY Saturday, October 11th 12:30pm In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following organizations in Mary Terillo's name. Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers P.O. Box 302 Maryknoll, NY 10545 (888) 627-9566 and/or Saint Francis Inn 2441 Kensington Ave Philadelphia, PA 19125 (215) 423-5845