Gina Rotman Obituary (1962 - 2024)

Gina Louise (Klein) Rotman, 61, of Clayton, MO passed away on January 10, 2024, peacefully in her sleep at home after five years of palliative treatment for metastatic breast cancer. Her son had massaged her feet and husband tucked her in for the night. She was born on March 26, 1962 to Kenneth E and Donna L (Goatley) Klein and raised on the family dairy farm in Rosamond, IL with her three brothers and 4 sisters. Gina graduated from Pana High School in 1980 and then St. John's school of Nursing in 1983. She went on to work as an R.N. at St John's hospital, where she met the love of her life, Dr. Mitchell B Rotman, an orthopedic resident in training at the time. Gina and Mitch married on June 14, 1987 and moved to St. Louis, where Gina worked at Children's and Barnes Jewish Hospital ER until the birth of their second child in 1997. She then became a full-time mother to Sophia and Sam Rotman. Motherhood was very rewarding to Gina. Her children are grateful for their mom’s endless support and unconditional love and could lean on her during their toughest moments. Her nieces and nephews all truly adored her too, with some considering her their second mom. She took a genuine, loving interest in most everyone she met. She had a natural ease with people, and as a friend describes, “she had a great soul and no ill will towards anyone”~ a true beauty. She was able to keep up with many of her friends, her children’s and Husband‘s friends, and friends of friends through Facebook; a true Facebook queen! Gina enjoyed all things centered around family and friends. Most evenings she could be found watching her favorite TV shows Wheel of Fortune and Shark Tank or a Cardinals baseball game while simultaneously talking on the phone with one of her brothers, sisters, or her mother. She enjoyed participating in her neighborhood book club and being fully involved in the endeavors of her children. She loved going to country music concerts with Sophia or eating Sam's homemade meals. And she loved showering her granddaughter Ariyah with gifts and surprises. Gina also helped care for the many pets that her children would bring home, sometimes unexpectedly. She liked some travel and going out locally, however she was most comfortable staying at home in her sweatshirt or pajamas. She did enjoy coming back to her Pana roots, where she'd visit with family, childhood friends, and people in the community. Gina is survived by her husband Mitchell, daughter Sophia, son Sam, and granddaughter Ariyah Rotman, mother Donna Klein, brothers Jim (Stacey) Klein, Jeffrey Klein, sisters Jacqueline Anderson, Geri (Tom) Kirkbride, Jill (Dan) Alde and Jodi (Dave) Miller, along with 18 nieces and nephews and 6 great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth E Klein, nephew TK Kirkbride and brother Kenneth Lee Klein. Per Gina’s wishes, no services, burial ceremonies, or ceremonies of life are planned. Any donations can be made to a wonderful St. Louis based charity that helps women through breast cancer treatment: Gateway to Hope gthstl.org McCracken-Dean Funeral Home is assisting the family.