Barbara Nelkin, wife of the late Myron Nelkin, former owner of The Garden City Hotel, died Wednesday, Oct. 8. She was a loving wife, mother, sister and friend to all who knew her. She was 77.

Born Oct. 11, 1931, in Brooklyn with a childhood spent in Middlebury, VT, Mrs. Nelkin graduated from Tilden HS in Brooklyn and earned her bachelors degree in education from Adelphi University in Garden City.

She began her career as an elementary school teacher. Known for her impeccable taste, her tremendous intellect and quick wit, she was a perfectionist and a stickler for detail. Mrs. Nelkin, a gracious and dignified woman, was loved by many, all of whom were considered and treated as extended family. She was a generous, compassionate woman and supporter of many charities.

Wife of the late Myron Nelkin; survived by their children, Mindy Nelkin, Henry L. Nelkin, Cathy Nelkin Miller and her husband Charles Miller; cherished grandchildren, Rachel, John and James Schwartz and Robert Miller; brother, Robert Norinsberg; brother and sister-in-law, William and Trudi Nelkin; cousin of the late Sheila Fink (wife of Dr. Victor Fink); loving aunt to Michael and Jon Norinsberg, Michael, Barbara Rose, and the late Laurie Nelkin, Dr. Nancy Levine, Dr. Robert Fink and Branwen Jones.

All of her children and grandchildren have inherited her talents. She was a gifted artist, with an extraordinary sense of color and design. She had the most beautiful singing voice and a passion for the arts.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following; Temple Sinai (Roslyn), North Shore Hospital (Manhasset) or Tilles Center for the Performing Arts.

A memorial ceremony will be held on Nov. 8 to celebrate the life of C. Gayden Wren. Mr. Wren died of cardiac amyloidosis on Aug. 6 at his home in Garden City, where he had lived since 1971. An attorney specializing in contracts and bankruptcy work, he had been associated with Cullen & Dykman of Brooklyn and Garden City for more than 40 years.

The memorial will feature music that Mr. Wren loved, performed by members of his family and others, as well as reminiscences from people who knew him personally or professionally in his 78 years.

"The loss of our beloved father isn't something you recover from in two months, or in two years," his son Gayden said. "But in the end his life is more important than his death, and this memorial will be a celebration of what he himself said repeatedly in his last weeks had been a wonderful and rewarding life, as well as a chance for those who knew him in one capacity or another to get a sense of the richness of this remarkable man."

The memorial ceremony will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8 at the Ethical Humanist Society, 38 Old Country Rd., Garden City. All are welcome to attend.