Gertrude [Trudy] Maria Glucksberg (1934–2021)
Trudy Glucksberg, nee Hoenigswald, of Princeton, New Jersey died suddenly on May 22, 2021 after spending an evening celebrating life with her companion, Allen Kassof, and his family in her favorite city, New York. She was the daughter of the toy designer Hilde Bohn Hoenigswald and philosopher Richard Hoenigswald. Trudy graduated from Music and Arts High School in New York and earned a BA in Fine Art from City College.
Born in Munich, Germany, Trudy and her family fled pre-war Germany and settled in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. She was an artist by profession and passion, and a gifted and gracious connector of people. Her Princeton home was
a gathering place where all were welcome. There was always a pot of soup on the stove to be served with great conversation, and opportunities to meet people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Many lifelong friendships began in these salons, and in turn, expanded her “adopted” family, making all our lives richer.
After settling in Princeton in 1965, Trudy became part of the women’s printmaking community where she was influential on the local art scene. She continued to grow as an artist throughout her life. Recently, during the pandemic, she challenged herself to complete a series of self-portraits that were honest, self-analytical, and showed her sense of humor.
Over the years, she maintained her skills and connections to other artists by regularly attending weekly drawing sessions at the Arts Council of Princeton with live models— the “Monday Night Strip Club” she called them. Her art has graced many book covers, has been exhibited in numerous galleries, and hangs in homes and corporate collections across the world. A recent piece was awarded the 2016 Best in Show at Ellarslie and was purchased by the Trenton City Museum: a very proud moment.
Trudy was a graphic designer at Princeton University Press for more than 30 years. After her retirement as Senior Graphic Designer, she donated her services and talents to the Arts Council of Princeton. She was married to Sam Glucksberg for 32 years, and then shared her life with Al Aronson, artist and engineer, for 20 more years. Most recently she found happiness with her companion, Allen Kassof. They had been family friends for 56 years, became partners in 2018, and endured the pandemic together. Newly vaccinated, they were enjoying the ongoing and welcome company of both their extended families.
She is predeceased by her half-brother and sister-in-law, Henry and Gabi Hoenigswald, and survived by her three children and their spouses: Matthew Glucksberg and Harriet Stratis, Ken Glucksberg and Sue Rosengard, and Nadia Glucksberg and Steve Hamill; her nieces, Frances Hoenigswald and Anne Hoenigswald, and Nick Thorner, Anne’s husband; her grandchildren Max Glucksberg and Alexander Stratis, and her great-nephews and their children.
A celebration of her life will be held later this summer. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to the Arts Council of Princeton:
http://artscouncilofprinceton.org/donate/support-acp/annual-fund-2/