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Cosentino-Nasajon

Gemma Cosentino-Nasajon

Cosentino-Nasajon

Gemma Cosentino-Nasajon

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Cushman School

Gemma Cosentino-Nasajon Obituary

COSENTINO-NASAJON GEMMA COSENTINO-NASAJON, died peacefully at Mt. Sinai Hospital, Miami Beach surrounded by her loving family on April 15th 2003 at age 48. She was born in Janesville, Wisconsin on December 28, 1954 and resided in Miami for over 25 years. Gemma was a 1981 graduate of the University of Miami Law School where she received her Juris Doctor degree. Prior, she attended High School and College at Leysin American School in Switzerland. She was a member of the Florida Bar. Surviving her are her husband, Jaime Nasajon and her 12-year-old daughter, Nicole Nasajon. She is also survived by her mother; Delfina Diaz; father, Dr. Jose Parejo, two sisters, Maria Harrison and Lourdes Depew; her brother, Jose R. Parejo; niece and nephews. Gemma will be remembered as an outstanding lawyer, as well as a loving mother, wife, sister, daughter and friend. As she loved her work, she loved life. The same persistent and courageous spirit that she extended to her profession, she carried over in the battle to survive her illness. She defied all odds for many years, far longer than doctors predicted. For eight of those years, she underwent numerous surgeries, chemotherapies and radiation treatments, never wavering with such grace, optimism and perseverance. Her spirit to live and survive will serve as a role model to all who knew and loved her. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation to those wonderful souls who helped Gemma along the way, supportive friends who kept her physically, mentally and emotionally comfortable throughout her challenging journey. Our gratitude goes to everyone at the Cushman School for their ongoing support, and our love to the "Six Chix" and their parents. We would like to thank Dr. Lutsky, Dr. Krill, Dr. Legaspi, Dr. Chediak, Dr Reynolds, Dr Poso, Dr. Blach, and their wonderful staff at the Mt. Sinai Cancer Center, as well as the personnel at the ICU at the Greene Building and seven Blum. Last, but not least, Dr. Levi and the staff at Jackson Memorial, and to Dr. Rosen and the staff at Saint Vincent Cancer Center in New York. God bless you all! Gem, we miss you already! A Memorial Mass will be held on April 24th, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Patrick Church, 3716 Garden Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida 33140. To visit this Guest Book Online, go to www.herald.com/obituaries.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by the Miami Herald on Apr. 23, 2003.

Memories and Condolences
for Gemma Cosentino-Nasajon

Sponsored by Jaime Nasajon.

17 Entries

Wayne Block

March 8, 2005

Amazing that it has been almost two years since your death. You will never be forgotten. We miss you.

Annemarie Block

May 27, 2003

What a legacy you left us. One of grace, beauty, and spirit. It was a pleasure working with you in the Public Defender's Office. It was fun traveling with you to seminars. It was a blast watching you try a case. It was enlightening talking with you about cancer and its challenges. It was pure love listening to you speak of your daughter. Your legacy will live on where it matters most - in those you love. All God's blessings to Jaime and Nicole. My prayers are with you. Godspeed Gemma.

Alejandro Gamboa

May 23, 2003

I will miss Gemma's warm friendship, her sweet disposition, and beauty. While at the public defender's office, it was always comforting to know she was around. I will miss her greatly.

Misty Masiello

May 6, 2003

Gemma has always been a great inspiration to me since the day we first met. We were introduced through Stuart Dansby when I was her personal trainer. I liked her immediately, mostly for her wit, her intelligence and her sparkle! And, of course, she was stunning and sexy. ("Coquettish" has always come to mind!) She always made me laugh!! And as we got to know each other, I grew to love her for her desire to live and love larger than life. She has always been a great motivator for me, and helped me find strength to make changes in my life that have brought me the greatest joys and enhancements every step of the way. I don't think I ever told her that, and I really wish I had. She was a wonderful "shoulder to cry on", usually over incredibly insignificant things, and would listen with true interest as if they were of great proportion. I was never so impressed as I was when she first learned of her illness. Rather than allowing it to rob her spirit of life, she chose to take charge and control of her life. She took new paths and did the things she had always had interest in doing. Her art, her travel, but mostly, enjoying her undying passions as a mother. One of my fondest memories is of Gemma when she went to Manhattan back in 2000 for treatment. I met her at her hotel, and when she opened the door I remember thinking she looked more beautiful than ever, even in light of everything she was physically going through at the time. She was amazing that way!! We went to the Red Cat in Greenwich Village for dinner. While we sat at the bar, talking about our immortality, I told her how much I admired her ability to rally on and continue such a difficult and daunting task she faced everyday with her illness, and didn't know if I could ever be that strong. She told me that "it wasn't difficult when you have a daughter like Nicole to love for the rest of your life." She suggested, in her very cheeky way, that I should someday have a child and would then understand what she meant. Well, as usual, she was right. I now have a little boy of my own, and every day that I look into his beautiful eyes, or smell the back of his neck, or feel my heart melt away when he smiles at me, can I truly understand what she meant...her true depth of emotion she felt for Nicole, because its one that only a mother can feel. And I have always, and will continue, to remember that night, that place and her words for the rest of my life, for what I discovered in that instant was the truly defining moment about Gemma for me. That is where she found her strength of character and will to live. The girl had moxy!!! I love you, Gemma...have a fantastic journey!!

Brenda Palmer

April 29, 2003

I had the pleasure of meeting Gemma many years ago in the Public Defenders Office. I would like to express my deepest condolences to her family. "May God Grant You The Peace That Surpasses All Human Understanding" is my sincere prayer.

Maxine Cohen Lando

April 28, 2003

Gemma was a wonderful, gentle person outside of the courtroom, and a wonderful, strong trial lawyer in it. I remember her fondly from our years in the Public Defender's Office and send my deepest sympathy to her family.

Marián Prío, LMHC

April 25, 2003

I had the privilege of meeting Gemma when she was in the midst of her struggle to stay around for her daughter and other loved ones as long as possible. I am sure her fierce protectiveness of them was largely responsible for the miraculously long time that she succeeded.

I have nothing but admiration for her husband's selfless dedication to her treatment, compassion for her daughter's loss of her vibrant presence and peace of mind in knowing that Gemma's powerful love will nurture and shield her all her life.

Brett Panter

April 25, 2003

Gemma was a splendid person. Always with a smile and a kind word. I am sure her family and friends will cherish many memories of kindness and love. My heart felt condolences to her family and friends. Brett Panter

Sue Dunn

April 24, 2003

Gemma has touched my heart in a very special way. My most sincere condolences and sympathy for your loss. Nicole and Jaime - as always you are in my thoughts and please know I am always just a phone call away.

bob gilmartin

April 24, 2003

Gemma was a bright light in a dark, sometimes impersonal criminal justice building where people like her made a difference. Her devotion to what could sometimes be a thankless job made her unique. Even when I saw her years later as she was fighting her endless battle, her infectious smile and laugh told you she would never give up. The world is a better place for her light and her presence.

Barbara Levenson

April 24, 2003

Gemma and I were law school buddies.She was a bright, warm addition to every class and event. Her brave battle has been an inspiration to all who knew her. My deepest sympathy to her family.Judge Barbara Levenson

Marian Garcia

April 24, 2003

Gemma and I were assistant public defenders in the 1980's. We went to many out of state seminars together. Everywhere we went, I watched people react and be in awe of her beauty--she, was oblivious to all that. Gemma's true beauty was in the wonderful person she was, in her kindness, in her spirit, and her joy for life. Never was her beauty more apparant than in her long and valiant struggle to live. It was a gift to have known her.

Tony Moss

April 24, 2003

I had the pleasure of knowing Gemma Cosentino-Narajon as a former colleague from the Office of the Public Defender. A top-notch lawyer and always a pleasure to be around, she will be greatly missed. My sincere thoughts and sympathies go out to her family in their time of bereavement.

Alex Ferrer

April 23, 2003

Like so many others, I will remember Gemma as a wonderful attorney and, more importantly, as a wonderful person. She was always a pleasure to be around. I hope that her family is comforted by the love of her many friends.

Pat Daly, RN (7 Blum)

April 23, 2003

On behalf of the staff of 7Blum at Mt. Sinai Medical Center, I would like to express our sympathy to Gemma's family. It was a pleasure taking care of her during her long fight. To her dedicated husband and all her family whom she loved so much we say; Gemma might have lost the battle but she won the war because she now rest with God.

Our thoughts are with you all.

Robert J. Jones

April 23, 2003

I went to Law School with Gemma and we graduated from Law School in 1981. I clearly remember how she brightened up every room she walked into! She always had a ready smile, kind words and a warm heart! May God Bless her and hold her eternally close!

Penny Kahn

April 23, 2003

So very sad to learn that Gemma lost her courageous fight. I am sure she is being helped and in the glow of other former fighting public defenders who also passed on like Rodney T, Mike B, Steve L, Danny V and the others. Love, Penny

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