Bella S. Grossman

A Renaissance Woman

Bella S. Grossman, 105, died March 19. She was the daughter of Celia and Henry Seidenberg, born November 19, 1905.

 She was the beloved wife for 50 years of the late Jacob Grossman; devoted mother to Dr Robert and Annamae Grossman of Newtown, and Ruth and Jess Karter; dear sister of Edith Garson; the incredible grandmother to 11 grandchildren; cherished great-grandmother to 11; and proud great-great-grandmother of two. She will also be greatly missed by the children and grandchildren of her wonderful friend and companion of 17 years, the late Harold Ruthizer; as well as the very many nieces, nephews, and friends with whose lives she was closely involved and who loved her dearly. Three siblings predeceased her.

A true renaissance woman, she was loving, caring, smart, admired, and respected. She was passionate in her beliefs and values. She was a wonderful role model for all those whose lives she touched.

Mrs Grossman was an educator in the New York City school system for more than 30 years. She and her family were summer residents at Lake Kenosia in Danbury for more than 50 years, where she helped several generations of family children learn water sports and respect and rights for others. In her later years, not to be outdone by her grand, and great-grandchildren, she learned the computer and its intricacies. Her emails were eagerly awaited. She also designed and sent greeting cards for all occasions. She was a frequent “letter to the editor writer,” writing to many newspapers, including The New York Times. In her late 90s she studied and successfully achieved her Bat Mitzvah, which was not available for girls when she was younger. When she was 100, she was named senior citizen of the year where she lived in Florida for all her charitable activities. She was truly a unique individual who made every one she spoke with feel as if they were most important to her.

Funeral services were at Riverside Funeral Chapel, Long Island, N.Y., March 24.

The Newtown Bee        March 26, 2010