It’s so hard to believe that Norene Gilletz, my friend and mentor is gone.
Norene was always kind, helpful, encouraging, thoughtful, hardworking, one of the nicest and most energetic people I knew. We had great fun laughing at conferences together and on the phone. Some of our Manhattan car rides had us laughing until there were tears rolling down our faces.
Norene was an incredible mentor to me, even when not feeling 100%. I remember discussions that we had about my book, which she was kind enough to write the foreword for. She was so incredibly supportive. One discussion we had took place while Norene was having trouble with her breathing and I was in the urgent care waiting room with pneumonia. She kept telling me to take care of myself and not push so hard. Just take care of myself and get better. I kept saying “right back at ya!”. We both recognized the humor and irony of the situation. No matter how Norene felt, she was always ready and willing to contribute. Her every word was wise and golden. I really loved her.
Norene was, in my opinion, the original Queen of Kosher Cooking. My very favorite recipe is from her original yellow cookbook “The Pleasure of your Processor”. It was the very first cookbook I received at one of my bridal showers.
I’m running out of words to describe what she meant to me. There are thousands of stories and tributes online right now, on her facebook group where she had a huge following, and on personal sites where even people who knew her on the periphery feel the loss. I’m going to post what Levana Kirshenbaum wrote which sums up so much of what I’m feeling.
I’ll miss you Norene, there is no one like you. You leave behind a great and lasting legacy.
Just heard the sad news that Norene Gilletz just passed away BDE.
I didn’t know the raving praise I just gave her very latest book, The Brain Boosting Diet, which her publisher sent me for review, would double as a eulogy so soon. https://www.levanacooks.com/the-brain-boosting-diet-norene…/
It is only fitting that her latest work should be, like her, a masterpiece of epic proportions (50 more pages and we would have to cart it on wheels)
My dear friend Norene stayed with us on several stays in New York, we had fun, we went out to dinner (that included a trip to the now-extinct fabulous Pardes Restaurant). We shmoozed till we dropped.
She was not just a formidable food professional. She was also one of the greatest Mitzvah Women I have ever met. She mentored so many people, Daniella Silver, me on several occasions, and countless others.
She was the real deal: no nonsense and no fuss. In her masterful hands cooking got demystified, streamlined, approachable. Everyday she planned what she would do when she grew up, right up to her last breath. May we inherit a fraction of her accomplishments, with a fraction of her grace, her generosity and her modesty.
Rest In Peace, dearest Soul Sister Norene, Gentle Giant, Food Processor Diva, Pun Master, Walking Encyclopedia. I can’t think of anyone who was lucky enough to know you that won’t miss you sorely. ❤️❤️❤️
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