Linda Gagliardi Abrams
Linda Gagliardi Abrams, 84, of Kendall Park, NJ, and Peekskill, NY, died Thursday, December 11, 2025 at Stonebridge at Montgomery in Skillman due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. Linda’s gifts included a great ear, teaching, and organizing.
Linda graduated from Peekskill High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Music degree from Bucknell University and a Master’s degree in Music from Western Michigan University. She devoted many years to teaching music in Montrose, New York, sharing her passion and talent with generations of students. Over her last two decades, Linda facilitated the development of the careers of many former and current orchestra members around the United States as the Executive Director for the New Jersey Youth Symphony.
During a trip to chamber music camp in the early 1980s, Linda met a violinist Al Abrams, who told her that she would become his second wife. They married at the home of Al’s younger sister, Henrietta, and brother-in-law Don Margolin in June 1982. Their home at 21 Woodbine Road served as a place for chamber musicians from far and wide. The pair played in numerous groups in the Princeton area. The duo traveled extensively, including wintering in Florida where they enjoyed playing in many quartets over the years.
Linda was preceded by her father Ferdinand and mother Helen and husband Albert Abrams of Kendall Park, New Jersey. She is survived by her brother David (New York), sister-in-law Anne (New York), and nieces Linda Anne (New York), Maria (New York), and Donna (Calgary, Alberta). Linda also has two surviving stepsons, Mark (Michigan) and Brett (Washington, D.C.).
Arrangements are under the direction of M.J. Murphy Funeral Home.
Antoinette C. Nelson
Antoinette C. Nelson (Carnevale) was born on March 12, 1941 and passed away on July 13, 2024 with her beloved husband Nils by her side. Ann will always be remembered for her hospitality, kindness, caring nature, and love for her family amongst many other things.
Ann is survived by her devoted husband of 64 years Nils Nelson; her loving children Michael (Danielle), Lisa (John), Christopher (Becky), Jeffrey (Debbie); as well as her cherished grandchildren, Gavin, Austin, Jessica (Brandon), Bryan, Mia, Matthew, Jamie (James), Tara, Brandon, and her adored great-granddaughter Quinn. Ann is also survived by her loving sister, Gloria (Bob), and brother-in-law Lenny (Diana), along with many loving nieces, nephews, and extended family. Ann is predeceased by her son, Steven, and her sister Joanne Nini (Jenny).
Ann and her husband Nils met in 1959 and married the next year. They moved to Hopewell, NJ, to start their lives and family together, and have lived there ever since. She worked at both Petro Oil in Princeton and the Wooly Lamb in Pennington.
Ann loved knitting and needlework. She could always be found at home knitting her next baby blanket or scarf. She also was always up for a long day of shopping — Christmastime shopping was her Olympics. Ann loved having her family over for every holiday or birthday. She was very thoughtful — years before she passed, she knit all of her grandchildren baby blankets for their future children in case she wasn’t around when they were born. Ann will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Ann was laid to rest at Highland Cemetery in Hopewell, NJ.
Hilda A. Jennings
Hilda A. Jennings, of Princeton, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 8, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was 92.
Hilda was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in 1933 to Sherwood and Elizabeth Anderson. She attended Allentown schools and went on to Vassar College, where she earned a B.A. in Art History in 1954. Following graduation, she worked in New York City at McKinsey & Company in research, at the Brooklyn Museum of Fine Arts as a lecturer, and at the Institute of International Education, where she advised candidates for Fulbright Scholarships including those in the arts.
While at McKinsey, Hilda met William B. Jennings. They were married in New York City in 1961 and moved to Princeton, New Jersey, in 1966 where they raised their three children. Hilda was deeply involved as a volunteer at her children’s schools and with various community organizations. She joined Princeton University in college administration in 1977 and earned a master’s degree from Rider College in 1983. Her 25-year career at Princeton University included roles overseeing a residential college, the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs, and the Department of Romance Languages.
Outside of work and in retirement, Hilda enjoyed weekly bridge games with friends, attended literature and art history classes at Princeton, and was a member of several book clubs. She was a member of the Present Day Club in Princeton and previously of the Bedens Brook Club. Hilda loved to travel, especially to Martha’s Vineyard, where she first brought her family in 1981 and continued the tradition for the next 45 years.
Hilda maintained a lifelong passion for the arts, retaining her knowledge of art history and regularly attending the performing arts, symphony, and opera. She shared this love with her children and grandchildren and never missed an opportunity to visit museums in New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and Philadelphia.
Hilda was a devoted wife for 64 years and a compassionate mother and grandmother. Her kindness, generosity, and sense of humor will be deeply missed.
She is survived by her three children: Bill Jennings (Cheri) of Darien, Connecticut; John Jennings (Krissan) of Chicago, Illinois; and Pamela Drake (H.B.) of Orinda, California; six grandchildren — Lindsay, Elizabeth, Noah, Myles, Harrison, and Katrina; and her sister, Rachel Thompson.
A memorial service will be held at Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton, New Jersey, on Saturday, January 24, at 11:30 a.m.