Tracy Gerber Epstein's Obituary
The world suffered the loss of a great treasure on Saturday, July 1st when Tracy Gerber Epstein lost her 3 ½ year battle to cancer.
Born to Jay and Selma Gerber on December 4th, 1946, Tracy grew up in Akron, Ohio with her two older brothers, Gary and Roger Gerber. Tracy moved to New York City at age nineteen, where she would meet her husband of 53 years, Stephen Epstein.
Tracy got an early start in the family beauty business. She taught hair by the age of thirteen and received her license at age sixteen. She went on to receive a BS in Professional Studies and MS of Science with honors from the University of Memphis. Shortly thereafter she started working as a counselor at Swords to Plowshares where she treated military veterans suffering from PTSD. In 2006 she opened her own practice, Arizona Family Counseling, where she helped many people in the Tucson area. She also traveled as a keynote speaker for mental health conferences across the country. She lived her life committed to serving others.
Over the years, Tracy explored several of her passions. She was an inspiring actress in musical theater, an impressive blown glass artisan, and an avid sports fan. Her dedication to volunteerism led to her involvement in the Special Olympics as well as her founding tennis programs for inner-city youth and the visually impaired.
Tracy loved staying active and always had a full slate. She was a USPTA certified umpire and coach, PTA president, Girl Scout troop leader, and dog whisperer (she never met a dog she didn’t love). And she did all of it with a smile.
Described by family and friends as larger than life, wise, good natured, having an inner strength and boundless beauty, Tracy will be remembered for her contagious positive spirit. She was a consummate hostess who befriended everyone she met and always made people feel welcomed and at home. She was goofy and funny - her distinct laugh could fill a room. She was a champion of looking at the glass half full and could find the appropriate meme or gif for any situation or occasion.
Tracy was incredibly loved and will be deeply missed. She is survived by her husband, Stephen Epstein, her three children, Branden Epstein, Ryan Epstein, and Deena Kashper, her brother Roger Gerber, as well as her son-in-law, Daniel Kashper, and four grandchildren, Gavyn & Bailey Epstein, Teo & Luco Kashper.
If you would like to honor Tracy’s memory, kindly consider making a donation to one of the following organizations that she supported:
https://www.swords-to-plowshares.org/donate
http://petpartners.org/donate
https://mkorhayim.org/donate/
For more information regarding a Celebration of Life in Tracy’s honor on October 7th, please email Steve at [email protected]
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