Obituary of Gail Badner Sargent

Gail Badner Sargent, 85, passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, in Denver, Colorado. Gail was born in Fairmont, West Virginia, on January 10, 1941, to the late Evelyn Mendelsohn Badner, who graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison (an art and English high school teacher), and the late David M. Badner, an attorney who graduated from University of Buffalo Law School, and also served in the U.S. Army and became the second owner of Mendelsohn's Quality Shop following his father-in-law. Her brother, Dr. Henry (Hank) Badner (a dentist and business owner), also preceded her in death.

Gail was the loving and devoted mother of Ellen Sargent Schneeweis of Denver and Steven Jay Sargent of Leesburg, Virginia, and the beloved grandmother of Robert (Madison), Andrew (Danielle), Daniel, and Joseph Schneeweis and Tristen and Brendan Sargent.

Growing up in Charleston, West Virginia, Gail was active in Temple Israel and Stonewall Jackson High School. She graduated from Lasell Junior College and Morris Harvey College (now the University of Charleston) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Gail raised her family in Fairfax, Virginia, where she lived for many years. Previously, she also lived in Freeport, New York, and Las Cruces, New Mexico.

She was an avid bicyclist, often leading and participating in century rides with her biking club, The Potomac Peddlers. She loved teaching English as a second language, Special Ed, reading, and driver's ed, where her students appreciated her empathetic listening skills and life advice.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund of the Hebrew Educational Alliance, 3600 South Ivanhoe Street, Denver, CO 80237.

A Graveside Service will be held at Emanuel Cemetery, Sunday, February 22, at 2:15 pm. A Livestream will be available on the Feldman Mortuary YouTube Channel. 

Shiva will be held at the home of Ellen Sargent Schneeweis on Sunday, immediately following the graveside service at Emanuel Cemetery/ Fairmount, Denver, Colorado. Additionally, Shiva Minyans are planned on Monday, February 23, and Tuesday, February 24.

Gail will best be remembered for her warm smile, deep love for her family and children, creativity, fitness, athleticism, and love of exercise. Please consider sharing your memories and condolences with Gail's family on her tribute wall.