Gerri Rothman

Gerri Rothman, Entrepreneur and Calligrapher Who Innovated the Stationery Industry, Dies at 89

Gerri Rothman, an influential entrepreneur, artist, and educator whose calligraphy and visionary gift packaging business in Narberth, Pa., helped to shape the high-end stationery industry, died on February 12 in Haverford. She was 89. Her family announced the death, saying she passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones. A self-described “do-er” with an eye for style and a knack for reinvention, Gerri founded To Coin A Phrase in the mid-1970s, a stationery and invitation business that blended calligraphy with whimsical design. Her creations, which were carried by Saks Fifth Avenue and in exclusive gift shops across the country, became trendsetters, inspiring a generation of designers and giftware merchants.

Gerri led a dynamic life pursuing many interests. Born on June 1, 1935, in Riverside, N.J., she was raised in the world of fashion. Her parents, Elmer and Belle Gutlohn owned a women’s dress shop in Riverside. The family lived above the store. After graduating from Temple University, she taught physical education at Northeast High School, where her ballroom dancing classes became a surprise sensation among her students. Her curiosity about human behavior led her to study neurolinguistic programming in her 40s, and she became a sought-after instructor for her classes on social skills, including “How to Schmooze” and “How to Flirt,” which were consistently sold out at Main Line Night School. Gerri had a keen eye for beauty and a sense of adventure. She and her husband, Dr. Edwin Rothman, were married for 67 years, sharing a passion for travel, classical music and opera, and collecting Scandinavian mid-century modern furniture and vintage desk bells and inkwells. In her later years, she took up beaded jewelry-making, selling her handcrafted pieces at craft shows. She also was an avid swimmer and a devoted book club member.

She is survived by her daughter, Bonnie Rothman (Scott Higham), her son, Jay Rothman (Cindy), and five grandchildren. She is pre-deceased by her husband. She and Dr. Rothman raised their family in Merion Station before becoming longtime residents of Haverford and West Palm Beach, Fla. She also is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Marcy and Saul Schwait of Boynton Beach, Fla.

Services are private. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Gerri's memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org). 

www.levinefuneral.com