Gale Hilary (Closter) Nigrosh

WORCESTER - Gale Hilary (Closter) Nigrosh died peacefully in bed the morning of November 1, 2018 at age 71 due to complications from an aggressive attack of pneumonia.

Gale was born in Washington DC and lived in the area until she moved to NYC to attend Barnard College. In 1968 she and her then husband, Leon Nigrosh, moved to Worcester. There she began a 20-year career teaching French and linguistics at Clark University.

While teaching at Clark, and having her wonderful daughter Maya, she completed her PhD at Brown University. When diagnosed with MS, she found she could no longer stand in front of a classroom. So, Dr. Nigrosh regretfully left Clark and took time to look for another perfect job.
This search was interrupted by her marriage to Bob Sakakeeny – an affair that lasted 30 years. Through smart decision making by the then Worcester School Department, Gale was hired to be the coordinator of programs linking the public schools to the many colleges and universities in the area. That career lasted 25 years.

During her 50 years in Worcester, Gale accumulated many friends. She loved being with people and surrounded herself with the best. She would spend hours communicating with them, finding ways to complement them, and always looking for ways to help them.

Gale is predeceased by her father, Sidney Closter – her larger than life Daddy. She is survived by her husband Bob Sakakeeny, her 102-year-old mother Rose Closter, her brother Harold Closter and his wife Betsi, her son Matthew Sakakeeny and beloved granddaughter Ella Sakakeeny; her nephew Matthew Closter and his wife Julie Berger and their daughter Sadie. But, her pride and joy was her daughter, Maya Nigrosh, whose considerable accomplishments swelled Gale’s heart.

We would like to express thanks to the staff at all the UMASS Memorial Hospital ICUs and the kind and competent staff of the Jewish Healthcare System’s Hospice Care program. Warm regards to Allison Cohen Gale’s Physical Therapist and friend at Greendale Physical Therapy, and the amazing Nicolette Bender, Gale’s Pilates trainer and confidant. Special thanks to her health-care aide, Gifty Afriye who befriended Gale, became part of the family, and kept her active and moving until the end.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Gale’s name to the MS Society of Waltham, MA. Gale donated her brain for MS research. We must find a way to end this unmerciful disease.

A gathering celebrating her life will be held at the Castle Restaurant in Leicester, MA, on Saturday December 8th at 2:00 PM. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St. Holden.

To share a memory or offer an online condolence, please visit Gale's tribute wall.