Alexandra D. Gerry, 72, of Bethel, previously of Norwalk, Conn., passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 17, 2019.

Known to family and friends as “Randi,” she was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and, as a child, she studied dance with Donald McKayle at the Martha Graham School of Dance. After moving to Pennsylvania, she graduated from Moravian Prep School in Bethlehem, Penn., and went on to receive a BA from American University in Washington, DC.

Randi leaves behind brother, Thomas Gerry, and his wife, Brenda, of Round Top, N.Y.; sister, Patricia Campbell, and her husband, Bill, of Newtown; as well as beloved nephews, Dylan Gerry and Alex Campbell; and niece, Kaitlyn Gerry; a grandnephew and grandniece; and many truly beloved cousins.

She is predeceased by her husband, Arthur Portnow; her nephew, Joshua Gerry; and her parents, Walter and Miriam Gerry.

Randi’s work included researcher at American University and US Labor Department. She also worked for Project LIFE of the National Education Association. She was a professional freelance photographer for Gerry-Moran Associates in Washington, DC (clients included Washington DC Performing Arts Society and the New York Post).

Randi worked as the assistant director of PR and staff photographer for George Mason University, Fairfax, Va., before moving to New York City.

She lived in the Gramercy District on 24th Street, where she and her husband started their consultant firm, GP Consultants. In New York, she was a freelance photojournalist for organizations like Guiding Eyes for the Blind and the United Jewish Appeal in the 70s. She assisted her husband, Arthur, with audio-visual productions for the UJA’s Telethon after the Yom Kippur War and several mobilization campaign fundraisers. She also collaborated with Arthur Portnow on PR events for UJA and Weitzmann Institute of Science, among many others.

Randi and Arthur moved to Norwalk in 1983 and did freelance business management and PR work, which earned them a number of awards.

She loved going to the theater, museums, ballet, and sailing with Arthur, especially taking cruises on the Cunard Lines. Randi sailed on the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) twice.

Randi experienced many medical struggles throughout her life, but her attitude was always upbeat and positive, rarely complaining about anything. She was funny and had a terrific wit. She was the queen of trivia, especially anything to do with movies and actors, and was a member of a number of the mahjong organizations. She loved animals, especially cats, and supported wildlife organizations.

Randi loved her family very deeply and spent as much time as she could with all of them. She was also always a supportive and caring friend. Everyone loved her.

The family extends a special thank you to Kayla, Aimee, Carrie, Susann, Diane, Mary, Wanda, Denise, and many others who cared so lovingly for her at Maplewood at Stony Hill, and for Regional Hospice’s Catherine and Vickie and the rest of that wonderful team. In addition, special thanks goes out to Stephanie, who goes above and beyond.

There will be a Memorial Gathering Sunday, December 29, 2019, from 1 to 4 pm at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main Street, Danbury.

A Reflection of Family & Friends will be conducted at 4 pm the same day at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Regional Hospice of Danbury or to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) or to your favorite wildlife organization.