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Gerry Weinberg's Story
The late Gerry Weinberg (left), who provided inspiration for the new Breast Cancer Network of Strength Resource Library, is pictured with her sister Bonnie Lindenbaum.
The year was 1974 and those gathered together were eight young moms who wanted to play duplicate bridge on Wednesday afternoons while their children were in school. None of the eight knew all the others but each one knew someone . . . and thus, "The Bridgies" were born!
They soon became so much more than bridge players; they became dear friends, each of whom looked forward to their Wednesday afternoons. They shared laughter as well as tears; and they shared many experiences through the years, including the support of Breast Cancer Network of Strength, formerly known as Y-ME National Breast Cancer Orgnization, an organization that was very close to the heart of one of them, a college friend of co-founder, Mimi Kaplan.
When the first Y-ME Luncheon/Fashion Show took place in 1980, The Bridgies were there, and they continued to attend every year thereafter. They knew breast cancer could touch any woman. But what they didn't expect was that it would strike one of them and that she, like others before her, would also become a statistic.
When Gerry Weinberg was diagnosed with breast cancer, The Bridgies rallied to her support with notes, with prayers and with contributions to the organization. This courageous member of the group never missed a bridge game. Since she worked part time, she scheduled her chemotherapy treatments for Wednesday mornings so that she could be at the bridge table each Wednesday afternoon. She never wanted to miss a game . . . and she never did!
The Bridgies further supported Gerry by joining with her family as participants in the Y-ME Race Against Breast Cancer. Then, sadly, after five years, Gerry lost her battle with breast cancer. The Bridgies wanted to start a fund in her memory and what better place to do so than at Breast Cancer Network of Strength? They learned a library was needed at Breast Cancer Network of Strength? Illinois and thus, the Gerry Weinberg Resource Library was established. It was the perfect match because Gerry loved to read and always checked out books from her local library. Since she also had a great sense of humor, her Bridgies wanted this Library to include books that would offer humor as well as information and education.
The beautiful plaque on display in the Library reads, "Dedicated in Loving Memory by Those Whose Lives She Touched." Among those many lives Gerry touched were Judy Bielinski, Alice Ellis, Merle Glass, Janet Hoshaw, Bonnie Lindenbaum, Miriam Novick, Hanna Shapiro and Marilyn Sommerfeld–also known as The Bridgies. The dedication of the Resource Library last year was a special moment in their lives and included, in addition to members of Gerry's family, the two newest Bridgies, Paula Domsky and Bobbi Loevy, as well as two former Bridgies, Joan Corn and Sandy Krebs.
Today there are Tribute Cards available for donations going directly to the Gerry Weinberg Memorial Resource Library. These cards can be sent out for a happy occasion or as a memorial, and each one purchased will benefit the Library.
Their Wednesday afternoons will never be the same, but this special group of friends has helped create a lasting tribute to Gerry Weinberg, one that will always be there to help others and to fulfill Breast Cancer Network of Strength's mission to ensure that no one faces breast cancer alone. May the memory of this dear lady be a blessing forever.