Beloved Sussex County philanthropist and Project Self-Sufficiency Board of Directors President Beverly Gordon passed away on August 27th after a brief illness. Known to thousands for her work with Project Self-Sufficiency, Gordon’s guiding hand was present in numerous other community organizations, including Boy Scouts of America, Christ Church Newton, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Intervention Services (DASI), Newton Medical Center, the Sussex County Fairgrounds, and countless others.

Gordon’s volunteer efforts were driven by a deep personal connection to the causes she supported and profound empathy for those she served. She began her community service in Sussex County as a Volunteer Legal Advocate for DASI, eventually helping hundreds of victims of domestic violence. A breast cancer survivor, Gordon co-founded a support group for breast cancer patients and survivors at Newton Medical Center.

“Bev was simply an extraordinary woman. When I think of her it is in awe of her incredible spirit and all that she has given to our community,” commented DASI Chief Executive Officer Jamie Bernard. “While she and Bruce have always generously supported the work we do here at DASI, Bev also spent several years as a Volunteer Legal Advocate, helping victims of domestic violence navigate the court system and understand their rights under the law. We have always been grateful that she helped us to extend services to many more individuals and families than we would have otherwise been able to help.”

In 1995, Gordon began serving on the Project Self-Sufficiency Board of Directors, having felt a strong pull to the agency’s mission of helping vulnerable families after her own experience as a single mother. She took over as President of the agency’s Board of Directors in 2002. To raise funds for its new 5-acre, Newton campus, Gordon shepherded Project Self-Sufficiency through the most successful Capital Campaign in the history of Sussex County. In recognition of the Gordon family’s transformative financial contributions two of the four building on the campus are named in honor of Gordon family members.

Gordon was instrumental in coordinating the annual Taste of Talent fundraiser on behalf of Project Self-Sufficiency, raising millions of dollars over the years by inviting celebrated chefs from all over the tri-state area to offer samplings of their wares at the Perona Farms affair. Her presence was always celebrated at agency events which honored the achievements of Project Self-Sufficiency clients. Her trademark speeches inevitably resulted in laughter and tears.

“Bev was so much more than a benefactor to Project Self-Sufficiency. She was a friend and mentor who genuinely cared about the welfare of the clients we serve,” remarked Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon who worked alongside Gordon for more than 20 years. “Her imprint is evident on the buildings we work in, the children who thrive here, the women and men who transform their lives on our campus, and the staff, volunteers and Board of Directors who loved her. Her beautiful smile and gentle spirit were contagious. She will be sorely missed, not just by the Project Self-Sufficiency community, but by all of Sussex County.”

Along with her husband, Bruce, Gordon spearheaded the design and installation of the Conservatory at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, which was donated in honor of Bruce’s parents, Elizabeth Houskeeper Gordon and B. Douglas Gordon. A lover of architecture, Bev also contributed her immense talents to the recently remodeled North Shore House on Swartswood Lake, as well as numerous homes throughout the area.

Bev received numerous accolades for her philanthropy, perhaps none more prestigious than being named as New Jersey First Lady Mary Pat Christie’s inaugural “New Jersey Hero” in 2010. In 2002, Bev received the Michael J. Holub President’s Award from Project Self-Sufficiency as well as the New Jersey Displaced Homemaker Advocate Award from the Displaced Homemakers Network of New Jersey. Along with her husband, Bev received the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce Philanthropic Award in 2007 followed by Project Self-Sufficiency’s Gems of Sussex County Award in 2008. In 2015, Bev was profiled by the New Jersey Herald as part of New Jersey Medical Center’s “15 Year for Women” initiative in recognition of the positive impact she had made in the community. Bev and Bruce received the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Boy Scouts of America Patriots Path Council in 2016. Never one to enjoy the spotlight surrounding these accolades, Bev found joy in serving low-income families, particularly women and children, and watching them thrive because of her efforts.

“Rita and I are very saddened by the passing of Bev Gordon. Our hearts and prayers go out to Bruce and their whole family,” stated New Jersey State Senator Steve Oroho. “Bev was one of those special people who no matter what she was doing she always worked hard to help other people better their lives. She did it in such a quiet way because she and Bruce didn’t want any kind of special recognition. Often you would see Bev push up her sleeves and do whatever needed to be done to help somebody. Project Self-Sufficiency had an angel on earth in the person of Bev Gordon, but now they have an angel in heaven looking down on them, pushing up her sleeves and recruiting other angels to help do what she always did on earth. We all know she loved the work of Project Self Sufficiency. Bruce and Bev’s family should rest assured that they certainly have an angel still taking care of them.”

The Project Self-Sufficiency Board of Directors has established the Beverly B. Gordon Endowment Fund to pay tribute to Bev’s legacy of compassion and generosity. Those wishing to make a donation to Project Self-Sufficiency in honor of Beverly Gordon are encouraged to call Deborah Berry-Toon or Bruce Tomlinson at 973-940-3500.