Former businesswoman Gail Rubin succumbs to cancer in Birmingham

GAIL FANTL RUBIN, the former president of ProCreations Publishing Company, noted for its catalog of collectible posters and clothing sold at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the Newport Jazz Festival and others worldwide, died peacefully at her home in Birmingham, AL. on February 15, 2017, following a hard, two-year-fought battle with cancer. She was 75.

Rubin moved to New Orleans with her family in 1969 and during her time in New Orleans, worked professionally for various companies, ultimately retiring at ProCreations Publishing Co. She found great fulfillment in volunteering for the United Way, Touro Infirmary Gift Shop and many other not-for-profit organizations. One of her greatest commitments was to the National Council of Jewish Women, where she rose to president and was honored with the Harold Salmon Award in 1984.

Born in Chicago, she grew up in Hyde Park and graduated from Hyde Park High School before attending both the University of Wisconsin and, later, Roosevelt University, where she completed undergraduate and graduate degrees in social work.

Rubin met her future husband while he was finishing his studies at Northwestern University Medical School. After their wedding, they lived in Chicago for a short while and then lived in North Carolina in the communities of Goldboro, Chapel Hill, Durham and Asheville. Following a short time living in Philadelphia, the family moved to New Orleans, where they spent 35 years before moving to Birmingham following the destruction wreaked by Hurricane Katrina and the citywide flooding.

The Rubins enjoyed traveling and fused their love of food and culture into many activities throughout their marriage.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Samuel E. Rubin, M.D., her three sons, Phil (Debbie) of Atlanta, GA, Jeff (Katye) and Mark (Andrea) and six grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorial donations be made to University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Comprehensive Cancer Center,1824 6th Ave S., Birmingham, AL 35233 or Temple Emanu-El, 2100 Highland Ave, Birmingham, AL 35205..