Wilfred Simon Gerald Skey
Wilfred Simon Gerald Skey passed away peacefully on March 11, 2026, in Princeton, New Jersey, his hometown of 55 years.
Gerry was born in 1942 in Johannesburg, South Africa, after his mother, fleeing Singapore for England by ship, was ordered to disembark because of her pregnancy. Gerry was cared for until he was six months old by a benevolent Johannesburg doctor and after the war, spent several years in boarding school in New Zealand before moving to Wilton, Connecticut, with his parents and brother.
A lifelong love and talent for baseball helped Gerry gain a generous scholarship at Saint Marks School, in Southborough, Massachusetts, where he was a southpaw pitching phenomenon. He was recruited for baseball by Princeton University but lettered in three sports before graduating in 1964.
That same year, Gerry met Sally Stewart Reed at Point O’ Woods on Fire Island, NY, and after they were married, continued spending summers there. Gerry served with the Marine Corps from 1964-68, including a tour of duty in Vietnam as a captain and platoon leader.
The family settled in Princeton where Gerry practiced law with empathy, emphasizing compromise and bridge building, concerned most with supporting his clients as they experienced challenging times.
A lover of opera, Gerry held coveted New York Metropolitan Opera season tickets, which he enjoyed sharing with family and friends. He was, at various stages, a soccer, basketball, baseball, squash, and tennis player, marathon runner, and dedicated golfer. He knit sweaters and elaborate Christmas stockings for his grandchildren, served on the board of Princeton’s McCarter Theatre, volunteered at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, and later in life, read audio books for the blind.
He is survived by Sally as well as his children, Scott, Samantha (Gregory Dillon), and Andrew Skey (Carrie Eastman); his grandchildren, Reed and Clive Dillon and James and Harry Skey; and his cousin Lindi Wood and sister-in-law Carol Skey and their families. He was predeceased by his brother, Anthony Skey.
Gerry loved Rudyard Kipling and had the poem “If—” framed in his office.
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to McCarter Theatre and/or Trenton Area Soup Kitchen.
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Sylvia (Tziona) Silverman
Sylvia Zion Silverman, known as Tziona Silverman, died at age 96 in hospice care at Penn Princeton Hospital on March 18, 2026.
Born on May 11, 1929, Tziona grew up in the city of Chicago, Illinois, and was the daughter of Jenny and Sam Zion. She was the beloved wife of 70 years of Rabbi David Silverman (z”l) and devoted mother of Shira (z”l), Debora, Eve, and Ethan Silverman and their spouses/partners: Jeffrey Prager, Alan Kingsberg, and Irene Silverman. She delighted in her grandchildren and they in her: Daniel Prager, Julia Paul, Jesse Deutsch, and Noah Deutsch, Theodore Silverman, Alexander Silverman, and Raphael Silverman, and their spouses/partners Emily Prager, Stuart Paul, and Stacy Erikkson. She lived to greet three great-grandchildren Abby, Sophie, and Solomon (Solly).
A talented student and athlete in her youth, Sylvia attended Chicago public schools and in junior high wrote that she aspired to be “a chemist or lab technician.” Instead she excelled at the College of Jewish Studies and completed her BA and Masters in Special Education at The University of Chicago. She met the love of her long life David and they married the day after she received her Master’s Degree.
Sylvia and David moved to Rabbi David’s first post on his graduation to Tacoma Washington’s Fort Lewis when David was drafted as a Chaplain during the Korean War. After that they settled first in Aurora, Illinois, and then to Riverdale, New York. Rabbi David became the Rabbi of the Conservative Synagogue in Riverdale where they raised four children while Sylvia Tziona managed the household, played an active role as Rebbetzin, and worked as a remedial reading specialist at The Fieldston School. In Riverdale Rabbi David took up a new role as professor of philosophy at The Jewish Theological Seminary in New York.
Sylvia and David moved a number of times after their children were older: to Chicago, Philadelphia, and Deal, NJ. Each time Sylvia embraced her new setting, made new friends, and worked, including as Vice Principal of the Akiba Academy where her pupils included now Rabbi Andi Merow, Governor Josh Shapiro, and CNN anchor Jake Tapper.
Sylvia and David retired to Princeton Walk in South Brunswick, NJ, in 1995. Here for three decades Sylvia was actively involved in her new community where she and Rabbi David flourished. She participated in multiple roles and committees in The Jewish Center under Rabbis Feldman and Merow, sang in a synagogue choir, enjoyed Chavurot and Rosh Chodesh groups, took classes in Talmud and Science, and started a Yiddish group to translate literary texts in the language and culture that formed her. She was a core member of the Community Without Walls in her area.
Sylvia Tziona enjoyed convivial groups of new and long lasting Princeton friends. She was a devout Jew, and Jewish learning, music, and teaching were central to her life. The weekly arrival of Shabbat was her favorite time. She always was eager and interested in anyone she met, and she radiated connection to people of many ages.
The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to Rabbi Merow, to Dr. Menon, and Penn hospice care, and to Tziona’s caregiver and companion of three years, Lana Viglione.
Sylvia Tziona is now mourned and deeply missed. May her memory be a blessing.
Funeral services were held on March 20 at The Jewish Center of Princeton, followed by burial in Princeton Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions may be made to JFCS of Greater Mercer County and The Jewish Center of Princeton.
Funeral arrangements are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel. For condolences, please visit OrlandsMemorialChapel.com/Sylvia-Silverman.
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Dr. Arnold B. Popkin
Dr. Arnold B. Popkin passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on March 5, 2026, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Born on July 11, 1937, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Arnie lived a full and accomplished life devoted to his family, career, and many passions.
An exceptionally gifted child, Arnie went on to graduate first in his class from medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. He and his wife Phyllis then moved to Princeton, New Jersey, where he practiced ophthalmology for 14 years. In 1980, Arnie and his family moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, where he practiced for another 33 years before retiring in 2013. Arnie’s dedication to his profession left a lasting impact on his countless patients and colleagues.
A man of many talents and interests, Arnie was a gifted pianist for whom music became a lifelong passion. The son of a professional violinist, Maurice Popkin, Arnie began playing piano at age 3 and violin at 7. Eventually he focused on the piano, giving hundreds of concerts throughout his lifetime. He performed more than 20 solo recitals at the University of Virginia and frequently gave solo and chamber music concerts for charities, performing arts centers, and retirement communities, as well as in his home. In 1999, at age 61, Arnie was chosen to compete in the inaugural Van Cliburn International Piano Competition for Amateurs. In his 80s, Arnie continued sharing his musical knowledge and talent by giving popular and much-loved piano repertoire classes at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) in Charlottesville. His musical legacy continues through his eight CD recordings, which can now be found on YouTube.
Arnie was also an enthusiastic athlete who enjoyed tennis, squash, and running. A devoted UVA basketball fan, he was inspired to write a book about college basketball rules titled How to Fix Basketball Games. Arnie was well known for his great sense of humor and always being quick with a joke. He was also passionate about learning and an avid reader. Throughout his life, Arnie enjoyed solving the New York Times Crossword Puzzle in ink, and later added the online puzzles to his daily routine. Family, friends, and beloved pets, including Shih Tzu dogs, cats, and parakeets, were an important source of joy and balance throughout his life.
Arnie is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years, Phyllis Berman Popkin; daughters Linda Shields and Sheila Popkin; granddaughter Claire Shields; sister Eileen Ruth Harris; and all who were touched by his talents, music, humor, and wisdom.
The family plans to hold a Celebration of Life for Arnie this summer. Details will be shared when finalized.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Arnie’s memory may be made to: OLLI at UVA, 1 Morton Drive, Suite 100TL, Charlottesville, VA 22903 (olliuva.org/support); or to The Virtu Foundation, P.O. Box 5212, Charlottesville, Virginia 22905 (virtufound.org/donate-cy58).
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Jane E. Krittman
Jane Krittman, longtime resident of West Windsor, NJ, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2026. Born Jane Ellen Long to George and Marguerite (Colgan) Long on February 19, 1942, she was lovingly raised along with her brother, the late Rev. Gaylord Gillis (Skip), and sister, Mary Louise, in Edgely, PA, just outside Bristol on the banks of the Delaware River. “Janie” attended St. Mark School and Delhaas High School (’59), where she made lifelong friends.
Jane held fond childhood memories of family gatherings in Surf City and of outdoor adventures while visiting the family cabin in the Poconos region. As a fair, blue-eyed redhead, the mountains proved to be more favorable than the beach — she would later enjoy spending her adult years hosting family and friends during summer and winter weeks at her Shawnee on Delaware retreat.
Jane possessed a warmth and genuine interest in other people, which was reflected in her work, volunteering, and numerous friendships. She began her career in Personnel at Vulcanized Rubber and Plastics Co. in Morrisville, PA, followed by RCA Laboratories in Princeton, NJ. It was at RCA where she met the love of her life, Irwin.
Jane and Irwin married at the Nassau Inn in 1967 and settled in West Windsor, NJ, where they raised their son, Daniel, and daughter, Sharon. They were ever-present in their children’s lives. Jane felt she hit the jackpot with her neighbors, who became close friends. She had a special bond with her “bridge girls,” with whom she shared laughs at weekly gatherings for 40+ years.
Jane admirably pursued her college degree while in her forties and, in 1989, received her B.S. in Business Administration with Honors at Trenton State College, now known as The College of New Jersey. She employed her people skills in the role of Meals on Wheels Coordinator with the American Red Cross of Central New Jersey in Princeton, where she retired in 2003.
Jane and Irv were dedicated, civic-minded community members. They were instrumental in starting several youth recreation programs in West Windsor Township, among other contributions. They were founding members and congregants of Beth Chaim, where Jane was active in chairing the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service with the Windsor Hightstown Area Ministerium. She proudly served on the Mercer County Board of Registry and Elections, also as an Advisor on the West Windsor Affordable Housing Committee, and as a longtime Advisor on the West Windsor Local Assistance Board. And she extended her smiles and sense of humor as a regular volunteer at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) for over 20 years.
Music was in Jane’s blood. She was a gifted pianist and especially enjoyed entertaining the family with lively sing-alongs during the holidays. Together, Jane and Irv enjoyed dancing and attending live theater with friends. Jane maintained an ability to play piano and to groove, even for the greater part of the last 10 years as she endured Alzheimer’s disease.
Irv’s career in patent law afforded them many opportunities to travel domestically and internationally, as well as to entertain associates from overseas at their home. Jane was a foodie and immersed herself into her guests’ diverse cuisines. Making connections was innate to Jane, and she maintained correspondence with these friends from all over the world. She also greatly enjoyed her “cousins lunches” over the years.
Jane cared for Irv in his final years and they were happily married until his premature death in 2004. Afterwards, Jane found renewed meaning in her life when she became a proud “Grammie” — her most prized role. She was engaging, silly, and unconditionally loving in this role, and her grandkids adored her.
Jane was predeceased by her beloved husband, Irwin; her granddaughter, Brooke; her parents, George and Marguerite Long; her brother, Skip Gillis; and her nephews, Michael and George Kinslow.
Jane is lovingly survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Daniel and Kristen Krittman; her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Bill Zeruld; her cherished grandchildren, Maya, Ben, Katie, Alex, and Avery; her special niece and her husband, Carol and Derek Squires; and her granddogs, Jax and Tucker.
Jane enjoyed making new friends on long walks, cuddling with her canine companions, and striving to make the tastiest lemon concoction. She will be missed dearly and remembered for her upbeat spirit and goodness that radiated from her.
Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life gathering at 12 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026 in West Windsor, to share stories and favorite memories of Jane. For more details, please RSVP to Celebrating
JaneKrittman@gmail.com. A private burial will take place at the Ewing Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Jane’s memory to TASK at trentonsoupkitchen.org, or by supporting your favorite animal rescue organization.